How far is too far?

Worikinthedream · Feb 7, 2014

Well this is another thread about buying my first tractor. I have tried to do my do diligence and read as much as possible about everything posted here. It can get a little confusing

. Anyway one thing that seems consistent is that you need a dealer that you can trust and work with. But how close does he need to be? I have heard good and bad things about just about every tractor made on here.

Here is what I want to do 1) till the garden (about 1.5-2 acres - Husky walk behind is killing me!), 2) clear some woodlands enough to put a fence in for hogs so they can clear the rest 3) Convert farmland to pasture and in future be able to get hay from the pasture (about 10 acres) 4) General farm work i.e. FEL work, forks, hay bales, etc. So the only dealer in my town sells MF and NH. He basically says he can't get any NH tractors in and I have been driving by there for the last 6 months and he isn't kidding. I have only seen one NH tractor on their lot in that time. He steered me towards a MF 2165, 49 HP, 40 HP at PTO, 8x2 non shuttle transmission, cat I and II hitch, 540 rpm pto for $25K. Add implements and it was going to be $32.7K delivered to my farm. Does this sound reasonable? 45-50 HP tractor seem right or is he just steering me towards what he has left to sell?

I am going to look at the Kubota dealer today and maybe the JD this weekend but all are drives away from me (about an hour each). The other tractor I am now interested in is a TYM 503. It seems to have a lot more to offer than the MF and is less money - even comes with a cab. But the dealer is two hours away. Is that too far? Should I try to stay closer? Based on the website (Smith's Enterprises in Salemburg, NC) they are a major dealer and have a lot of tractors on the lot. Anyone dealt with them? The MF guy only had the one Utility tractor and everything else was compact. What do you guys think and thanks for any responses!

jeff9366 · Feb 7, 2014

When you need the TYM serviced will you trailer it there yourself or have the dealer pick it up?

If you trailer it, consider you will be driving eight hours to drop it off and pick it up. If the dealer is going to pick it up he will have to charge at least $1.25 per mile X 4 to cover his costs.

That will be expensive service.

I am very happy my two person Kubota dealer is only six miles away.

Right now, with the transition from Tier 3 emissions standards to Tier 4 emissions standards, most dealers do not have the optimum inventory mix. They have to take what is available. Soon all will be Tier 4, more expensive, but inventory will be optimum again.

You have not stated what your acreage is. A 45-50 horsepower tractor would be appropriate for 15-40 acres.

kcflhrc · Feb 7, 2014

I bought my new JD 3032E from a dealer 80 miles away because he was $2,400 cheaper than anyone else. I never considered the dealer being close to me a factor at all. I have driven 10 hours to buy a motorcycle because of price.

BuilderML · Feb 7, 2014

I know alot of people say go with the dealer you feel the most comfortable with. Personally i could care less about the dealer. In reality how often will you be going back aside from gets parts? Those can be shipped, the heck with driving to get them. To me i would take into account the dealer only if 1) i am not doing my own service. I think most owners do the service themselves. 2) during the warranty period to have any problems fixed. If you don't mind making the haul during that period if needed don't worry about distance within reason. The most important thing to me is knowing a good mechanic so you can forget about the dealer. I am with KCFLHRC in saying i am shopping for the best deal i can get period. Make sure when you purchased you get all the manuals you can for the unit owners,shop,service, and parts. Also as you can see i am in CT and i contacted Smith's in regards to a TYM unit when i was shopping. They were very helpful in answering my questions. That is about all i can tell you about them. With that said you can see how much i take into account dealer location if i was willing to make a purchase in NC. Good luck with your tractor purchase. :drink:

deerseeker001 · Feb 7, 2014

Welcome from Wisconsin

Hiltz · Feb 7, 2014

I too think that dealer loyalty is way overrated. When I bought my last new tractor price was the only factor. Since I purchased it 12 years ago I have not been back to dealer.......... any.

Worikinthedream · Feb 7, 2014

I guess I was wrong. I could swear that is what most people say though. Just got off the phone with Smith's and he is working a quote for me but says he can easily beat the MF price...and he can get me a cab tractor for less than the quoted too! Can't wait to go see it now!

MossRoad · Feb 7, 2014

My tractor doesn't have ANY dealers. They only sell factory direct out of Tazewell, VA. I have to perform all of my maintenance, repairs, etc... They have excellent phone support and next day shipping on most parts. Works for me. :thumbsup:

Worikinthedream · Feb 7, 2014

The guy I talked to at Smith's says there are some dealers closer to me too. Their website (which is not very good BTW) doesn't list any so I wonder how I would find them. Google take me awayyyyy.

Industrial Toys · Feb 7, 2014

YES, transportation for service/repair has become very expensive. It's worth asking a dealer what he charges for that and if that is covered under warranty.

If all other things were equal, I would probably choose the brand of the dealer closest to me, unless I heard bad things about them.

jeff9366 · Feb 7, 2014

WORKINTHEDREAM: Pitch in here.

Are you mechanically adept? Do you have some experience with hydraulic systems? Are you planning to do your own periodic service and your own repairs? Do you have used oil disposal near you, like Walmart or Tractor Supply Company?

MtnViewRanch · Feb 7, 2014

People that require a "good" close by dealer are people that make a living with their equipment and people that rely on the dealer for pretty much everything. I would say that if you are a person that services your own equipment, then there is a better than average chance that there is never a need to have the tractor at the dealer. Can this become a nightmare, you bet if you happen to end up with a bad machine.

But those chances are slim to none. As much as so many on TBN talk about the need for a good dealer, in reality the majority of us simply do not need one.

Is it nice to have a "good" dealer, you bet and it sure can't hurt. Is it really a necessity, not at all IMO. My dealer is a "GREAT" dealer, but is he close by, depends on your definition of close. 650 miles to be exact. Typically takes 2 days to have filters shipped to me at a shipping cost that is right at about 1/2 of what it costs me to drive to the closest major stocking dealer 45 miles away. Oh, and if I need to talk to him, usually about a minute after I'm put on hold.

TSO · Feb 8, 2014

I was just shopping again, and the ONLY reason I didn't go with the TYM is that the dealer is 2.5 hrs away, and the closest one besides that (Much closer at 45 mins) seems like they won't be a TYM dealer much longer. TYM has the best warranty in the industry. 3 yrs bumper to bumper, plus 2 more powertrain, up to 3000 hrs. I ended up with the Massey 1648, and it came down to either the TYM T503 or the Massey. Personally, I don't think you need an amazing dealer right next door, but I felt 2.5 hrs was too far. A warranty is great but there is alot more inconvenience to 2.5 hrs vs .5 hrs away (my Massey dealer).

Good luck to you!

Worikinthedream · Feb 8, 2014

Hey guys thanks. As to doing things myself my wife would tell you I do things myself even when I shouldn't! I guess I am a little hardheaded and firmly believe I can do anything. It hasn't gotten into tooo much trouble. My background is the US Navy. I babysat nuclear reactors for 20 years and now I teach people how to clean up the coal industry (ain't happenin...clean coal is an oxymoron but hey its job security). I got the quote for the TYM tractor dealer and it is $5000 less than a stripped down MF and $6000 less than a bare bones Kubota MX 4700. I liked all of the tractors I have seen so far. The TYM just seems to offer more and I trust CAT/Perkins Diesels. What do you guys think?

woodlandfarms · Feb 8, 2014

IMO All tractors are about the same in terms of reliability. Green, Orange, Red, some bizarre shade of color, they tend to break randomly. There are a few products out there that have proven unreliable consistently but you would know about it.

TYM is not a bad brand, I considered it before my purchase. I look at it as being a Kia or a Hyundai. Got friends that own then and love them. Resale is still not great, but they are a proven platform. You get a lot of bang with TYM, but you need to be aware that not all parts are easily sourced. You buy a green tractor and getting a part is not an issue, you buy something that is not sold in every corner of the planet, not so much.

So, long story short. It is not about the dealer for purchase. Get the best price you can for the item you want. It is, however, unless you are super mechanicaly inclined, about service. I would consider TYM heavily if I had a dealer close and a backup dealer not too great of a distance.

Now my tractor, there is no dealer. Parts come from one factory in Tennessee and I love my machine and don't mind turning the wrench or finding someone who can.

So, if you like the TYM, and you feel service is going to work out for you, buy it. Even if it breaks down on you right away, that would not be any different if you had bought a red/blue or green. Sometimes stuff happens.

TSO · Feb 8, 2014

Worikinthedream said:
Hey guys thanks. As to doing things myself my wife would tell you I do things myself even when I shouldn't! I guess I am a little hardheaded and firmly believe I can do anything. It hasn't gotten into tooo much trouble. My background is the US Navy. I babysat nuclear reactors for 20 years and now I teach people how to clean up the coal industry (ain't happenin...clean coal is an oxymoron but hey its job security). I got the quote for the TYM tractor dealer and it is $5000 less than a stripped down MF and $6000 less than a bare bones Kubota MX 4700. I liked all of the tractors I have seen so far. The TYM just seems to offer more and I trust CAT/Perkins Diesels. What do you guys think?

I also liked the idea of the Cat/Perkins diesel. I think the TYM looks like a great package. I don't like that the TYM section on this forum moves at a snail's pace, and there aren't many new members. I'd like to more people with more experience on them, so we can see what to expect.

I was originally leaning TYM, but was just scared away by the potential of tractor problems with the dealer 2.5 hrs away.

batwing · Feb 8, 2014

I have a TYM that has 20 hours on it now and so far it has been great but time will tell.
Ron

MtnViewRanch · Feb 8, 2014

Worikinthedream said:
Hey guys thanks. As to doing things myself my wife would tell you I do things myself even when I shouldn't! I guess I am a little hardheaded and firmly believe I can do anything. It hasn't gotten into tooo much trouble. My background is the US Navy. I babysat nuclear reactors for 20 years and now I teach people how to clean up the coal industry (ain't happenin...clean coal is an oxymoron but hey its job security). I got the quote for the TYM tractor dealer and it is $5000 less than a stripped down MF and $6000 less than a bare bones Kubota MX 4700. I liked all of the tractors I have seen so far. The TYM just seems to offer more and I trust CAT/Perkins Diesels. What do you guys think?

If you were told that you had a 99 out of 100 chance that you would never have a problem, would you consider the TYM? Do you see any reason that you want to sell in the foreseeable future? If you have a problem with the tractor, does it really need to be up and running in a very short amount of time? In other words, how big of a problem if the tractor does have to be down for awhile?

TYM and LS have got to be the best bang for the buck tractors at this time. TYM is not going out of business any time soon, in fact they are expanding their lineup. You may have to wait for a part, but you will at least be able to get the part. For that kind of savings, I would seriously be considering the TYM. But that's just me. Ask questions about anything and everything that you have concerns about.

Good luck with your decision.

Soundguy · Feb 8, 2014

AND if it's broke down good.. will it trailer?

jeff9366 said:
When you need the TYM serviced will you trailer it there yourself or have the dealer pick it up?

If you trailer it, consider you will be driving eight hours to drop it off and pick it up. If the dealer is going to pick it up he will have to charge at least $1.25 per mile X 4 to cover his costs.

That will be expensive service.

I am very happy my two person Kubota dealer is only six miles away.

Right now, with the transition from Tier 3 emissions standards to Tier 4 emissions standards, most dealers do not have the optimum inventory mix. They have to take what is available. Soon all will be Tier 4, more expensive, but inventory will be optimum again.

You have not stated what your acreage is. A 45-50 horsepower tractor would be appropriate for 15-40 acres.

diesel lover · Feb 8, 2014

Currently I do not have any CUT tractors but have operated quite a few.

If I had one and only one tractor it would be in the 45 to 55 horse power range. You can still fit in all the tight places, and when you have the traction of 4wd you would be amazed at what you can do with one of these cuts! When you have owned 80 horse power 2wd tractors and your machine feels like it looses power in the mud and snow due to traction issues, then you get a CUT in the 45 to 55 HP range you realize what 4wd in a cut can do for you!

Good luck in your search, I too will be shopping in the next five years but between my 9N sized Massey diesel and renting any large equipment needed I will be okay with any task.