Kubota M8540

[bill in ny]

Yes, it is hair splitting as the Cat I/II capability is meaningless as it is the power/weight of the tractor that determines the appropriate implement, not the type of hitch on the tractor.

TripleR, i couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[ChuckinNH]

With any tractor purchase, I believe it is best to look at, and choose the implements you want to run well in advance of choosing the tractor.

 

[gwdixon]

A Cat I implement is so easy to convert to work on a Cat II 3 PH that it should not be a consideration in your deal.

Just remember to take it easy on the Cat I implements with a powerful tractor. My opinion would be to not buy a big tractor that could only use Cat I equipment.

 

[ColoradoDan]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Again, the only reason I was questioning the cat I vs. cat II was for cheap, used implements that I find around here. I don't plan on buying new cat I implements for a cat II tractor. Knowing that I can convert them helps my decision.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Again, the only reason I was questioning the cat I vs. cat II was for cheap, used implements that I find around here. I don't plan on buying new cat I implements for a cat II tractor. Knowing that I can convert them helps my decision.

I can sure understand that. We used a couple of old Cat I planters for food plots as well as a disk we already owned in addition to a couple of finish mowers. We smoked the belts on the mowers a couple of times, but they are still running fine.

 

[Grateful11]

One thing to think about, at least for some of us, is that with a tractor this large
most people use pull-type implements. Our Case IH 5140 has never used its 3PT hitch.
We use it with a round baler, pull type bush hog, 12' Bog Harrow and 15' Finish Disc
Harrow but it's used on a farm and not as a utility tractor but with 6 tractors each
one has it's place.

 

[ColoradoDan]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input and help during this process. I was very impressed with the M8540 but have decided to go in a different direction. For those that are interested I will post the reasons on the thread that I started a few weeks ago titled "Please Recommend a Tractor."

Thanks,

Dan

 

[TripleR]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input and help during this process. I was very impressed with the M8540 but have decided to go in a different direction. For those that are interested I will post the reasons on the thread that I started a few weeks ago titled "Please Recommend a Tractor."

Thanks,

Dan

I am sure you will be happy with whatever you choose as you have done your research well.

 

[ITHINKICAN]

I briefly read the other post - the one that talks about why the decision was made - questions: 1.) Is/was there only one employee at the dealership? And he/she & you had a difference of opinion? Or did you have a difference of opinion with their entire staff? Is/was it all based on price? 2.) Is/was your difference of opinion with a saleperson? Or with someone in Service? 3.) Did you escalate your concerns to mgmt/owner? 4.) Is/was there only one dealership within 50 +/- miles? I believe we have 5 within an hour drive.

I've never decided on a Ford because the Chevy salesperson was a tool. I look at a salesperson as just that - someone who earns an income based on sales. I've never concluded there is an issue with a dealership based on a salesperson either - they (salespeople) serve their purpose. Granted - there are some that make or break a dealership but I don't fault the owner or the salesperson if they can't meet my pricing needs - it is their livelihood - they set margins based on many variables. None of which are any of my business. The Ford dealership across the street has a bunch of fools in the parking lot - but when I go to the parts counter - they take great care of me & when I go to the service counter - they rock and roll & when I go to the collision department - they rock the house even more... so I buy my truck across town & get parts/service/collision repair a couple hundred yards from my office.

Hope you enjoy your tractor. Glad you got one. I love mine. It's all good!

 

[ColoradoDan]

I briefly read the other post - the one that talks about why the decision was made - questions: 1.) Is/was there only one employee at the dealership? And he/she & you had a difference of opinion? Or did you have a difference of opinion with their entire staff? Is/was it all based on price? 2.) Is/was your difference of opinion with a saleperson? Or with someone in Service? 3.) Did you escalate your concerns to mgmt/owner? 4.) Is/was there only one dealership within 50 +/- miles? I believe we have 5 within an hour drive.

I've never decided on a Ford because the Chevy salesperson was a tool. I look at a salesperson as just that - someone who earns an income based on sales. I've never concluded there is an issue with a dealership based on a salesperson either - they (salespeople) serve their purpose. Granted - there are some that make or break a dealership but I don't fault the owner or the salesperson if they can't meet my pricing needs - it is their livelihood - they set margins based on many variables. None of which are any of my business. The Ford dealership across the street has a bunch of fools in the parking lot - but when I go to the parts counter - they take great care of me & when I go to the service counter - they rock and roll & when I go to the collision department - they rock the house even more... so I buy my truck across town & get parts/service/collision repair a couple hundred yards from my office.

Hope you enjoy your tractor. Glad you got one. I love mine. It's all good!

Answers:

I dealt with a couple of different people. The person who runs the sales dept. also deals with most of the service issues. In fact, I went to the dealership multiple times to meet with him to find out when I got there that he was out making a service delivery despite telling me to come by. Even though I was told to come by, he wasn't there. I wasted my time on a couple of different occasions since he is the only sales guy at the dealership. I also dealt with one of the family members that owns the dealership. It is a family owned business. He didn't know what he was selling, didn't know the ins and outs of the tractor. I dealt with him because when I arrived at the dealership to meet with the sales guy, he again wasn't there so I dealt with one of the owners.

The price was ridiculous. Their best price was only about 2-3% off of Kubota's website build price. They couldn't even come close.

Both the sales guy and the owner bad mouth John Deer like you couldn't believe. Most of what they said was completely wrong. I wrote down some of the things they told me when I got in my truck. Then, I went home and researched to find that what they told me was a complete lie.

There is only one Kubota dealer within a two hour drive so it is either these guys for service or nothing.

There is no question that JD and Kubota make good products. Why would I take a chance on dealing with a dealer that I have no respect for? Why would I give them any of my business? After this past weekend, it turned into a pretty easy decision.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Dan, sounds like you have made the right decision to fit your circumstances. :thumbsup: Keep us all informed and post lots of pictures.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Answers:

I dealt with a couple of different people. The person who runs the sales dept. also deals with most of the service issues. In fact, I went to the dealership multiple times to meet with him to find out when I got there that he was out making a service delivery despite telling me to come by. Even though I was told to come by, he wasn't there. I wasted my time on a couple of different occasions since he is the only sales guy at the dealership. I also dealt with one of the family members that owns the dealership. It is a family owned business. He didn't know what he was selling, didn't know the ins and outs of the tractor. I dealt with him because when I arrived at the dealership to meet with the sales guy, he again wasn't there so I dealt with one of the owners.

The price was ridiculous. Their best price was only about 2-3% off of Kubota's website build price. They couldn't even come close.

Both the sales guy and the owner bad mouth John Deer like you couldn't believe. Most of what they said was completely wrong. I wrote down some of the things they told me when I got in my truck. Then, I went home and researched to find that what they told me was a complete lie.

There is only one Kubota dealer within a two hour drive so it is either these guys for service or nothing.

There is no question that JD and Kubota make good products. Why would I take a chance on dealing with a dealer that I have no respect for? Why would I give them any of my business? After this past weekend, it turned into a pretty easy decision.

I hear this a lot...."Couldn't afford Deere."

I really have to wonder if Deere is more money.?? When I use the online configurators Deere looks to be very close.

 

[TripleR]

I hear this a lot...."Couldn't afford Deere."

I really have to wonder if Deere is more money.?? When I use the online configurators Deere looks to be very close.

I imagine it varies from one model to the next. A member on here reported several thousand dollars difference between an M8540 and comparable John Deere. Money was not a real consideration for me when I bought mine. I don't ever see replacing it, so over the life of the tractor a few thousand dollars isn't that big of a deal and I view the quality to be the same.

 

[ColoradoDan]

You know, call me old fashioned or call me whatever you want. But, I feel that principles are more important than money. The JD was much cheaper than the Kubota. But, even if it wasn't, I just wasn't going to do ANY business with the local Kubota dealer. Its one thing if you have other choices in the area. But, I don't.

The lies that I were told were much more than "you're going to pay much more for a green tractor." Of course they told me that right off the bat. But, they put their foot in their mouths multiple times after that. Lies, ignorance, sales tactics...call it what you want but I just don't do business that way. I also don't enjoy wasting my time driving multiple times to a dealership to find out that there isn't anyone to talk to despite them telling me to come down.

Sorry for the rant. Can you tell that I was just a little bit frustrated?

 

[TripleR]

You know, call me old fashioned or call me whatever you want. But, I feel that principles are more important than money. The JD was much cheaper than the Kubota. But, even if it wasn't, I just wasn't going to do ANY business with the local Kubota dealer. Its one thing if you have other choices in the area. But, I don't.

The lies that I were told were much more than "you're going to pay much more for a green tractor." Of course they told me that right off the bat. But, they put their foot in their mouths multiple times after that. Lies, ignorance, sales tactics...call it what you want but I just don't do business that way. I also don't enjoy wasting my time driving multiple times to a dealership to find out that there isn't anyone to talk to despite them telling me to come down.

Sorry for the rant. Can you tell that I was just a little bit frustrated?

Hey, nothing wrong with old fashioned. We have a local Kubota dealer I won't patronize either, fortunately a little longer drive gets me to a good dealer.

As I have said, I won't buy a John Deere for much the same reason you won't buy a Kubota. Tractor for tractor, I could be happy with either.

 

[ITHINKICAN]

Dan, sounds like you have made the right decision to fit your circumstances. :thumbsup: Keep us all informed and post lots of pictures.

I agree. Based on your experience(s) - it doesn't sound like you had many choices.

Enjoy your new tractor!!

 

[hawkeye08]

You know, call me old fashioned or call me whatever you want. But, I feel that principles are more important than money. The JD was much cheaper than the Kubota. But, even if it wasn't, I just wasn't going to do ANY business with the local Kubota dealer. Its one thing if you have other choices in the area. But, I don't.

The lies that I were told were much more than "you're going to pay much more for a green tractor." Of course they told me that right off the bat. But, they put their foot in their mouths multiple times after that. Lies, ignorance, sales tactics...call it what you want but I just don't do business that way. I also don't enjoy wasting my time driving multiple times to a dealership to find out that there isn't anyone to talk to despite them telling me to come down.

Sorry for the rant. Can you tell that I was just a little bit frustrated?

I was looking for a Kubota when I got mine, had decided already to go with Kubota. I was looking at used in my price range and came across a CL ad for one at a dealer. Nice unit, seemed like good price, lease return, new warranty and 0% financing. It was more than I could afford but wanted to go look at it. Dealer responded to emails and when I asked for good time to come see it a day later, it had been sold, but another had come in. The 'other one' was the one we ended up buying. The dealer allowed us to look the tractors over, large selection of new, a few used. The guy we had emailed was not available when we got to the dealer, but another salesman was and he took care of us until the one we had emailed was available. all very helpful and knowledgeable. Much different experience than you had Dan. We bought a new RFM from him also after the tractor. Same good experience. I got a quote on post hole digger also, but was more than I wanted to spend.

The bottom line is, you got a tractor that fits your needs (at least the ones you identified as what's important) at a price you were willing to pay and a dealer that treats you right and can support you if ever needed.

 

[E/S]

I decided on what equipment I wanted first, then went looking for a dealer. I went through 6 before I picked the one I would deal with. It was not all about price, I wanted someone with history and didn't badmouth others ( that doesn't mean he didn't agree with me when mentioned issues with others ). I covered a 400 mi. radius and the one I choose is 2 hrs away.

E/S

 

[big bubba]

think most would agree that really, big name machines these days are pretty close in quality....and what u buy is dealer/parts/support in a purchase....sounds like you went through the right process and made a sound decision....now about those glossy foldouts you owe us...am sure there are some among us who even lust after green. enjoy the honeymoon, and don't be afraid to work it for break in and avoid multiple short cold runs during that period.