Love it but regret it

[Florida2610D]

If you have the $ to blow, why not sell this machine and go with a dealer/brand you are more comfortable with. Deere, MF, Yanmar, LS, Kioti, Kubota…lots of choices. Imagine how it will be when/if the machine has a real issue and needs service.

I thought about it but it only has 50 hours and it is perfect for what I bought for. There is a TYM Dealer not too far from me, about 70 miles, so worst case I always have them. It does not get worked hard at all. It is just unfortunate that RK Tractors service is what it is. As I said, I love the RK24, I just need to adjust my attitude and not count on them and develop alternative sources. Like you guys here for advice and support. The answer to most questions are already out there now anyway.

 

[WADFL]

What part of Florida are you in?
Call the Ocala store and ask for Brian - he's the tractor specialist.
He is good with the machines and will be able to help you out.

You can also call Leesburg store and the lady there (Rita) is also very good.
Last time I was at Zephyrhills I spoke to the two guys there, they were outside manning the field. Both were informative but I didn't catch their names.

RK is like any other big box store - good prices and hit-or-miss service.

 

[jmc]

My Rural King had 20 or 30 tractors out in front, before the pandemic. There's no sign of a service department inside, though. Seems like kind of an ante to play in the tractor business.

 

[JD4102004]

I absolute love my RK24 but I regret buying it. Customer service at my local store absolutely sucks. Trying to get an answer to a question or finding a part in person is almost impossible. I have never called my local store and been able to speak to anybody in the Tractor Department. They leave you on hold until you hang up. I tried five times in one day, same thing every time. I am talking 30 to 40 minutes on hold. So I never call anymore. I drive the 40 minutes to the store when I need something and when I finally get somebody from the tractor department to actually address me they act like it is an inconvenience to deal with my question or request. Some of the most miserable people I have ever dealt with. I wish you could just order RK or TYM parts online without having to deal with these people.

That is the name of the game now, sell but no service after they get your money.

 

[agjones]

Yes, you are correct. I found a lot of sources for the tires, having trouble finding the rims to go with them. Thanks.

Try your nearest Mahindra or tym dealer.

 

[agjones]

My Rural King had 20 or 30 tractors out in front, before the pandemic. There's no sign of a service department inside, though. Seems like kind of an ante to play in the tractor business.

The shop at my local rk is nearly in visible from the retail area.

 

[sengli]

I have the direct phone numbers of the tractor guy at my local RK store where I bought mine. He doesnt know everything, but seems very willing to find out things as needed. Plus I now have the regional service guys info as well. I now know the stores dont handle hardly any parts, except some of the filters. Luckily so far I havent needed any parts either. As for trades, they said they would take trade ins, but only if your trading up to a more expensive unit. I havent tested that theory yet. So far my leaky rolling wonder, works for what I want it to do, for a lot less than many others. These days I think there isnt a lot of inventory anywhere to be had.

 

[HEC]

I thought you were going to say that you regretted it after seeing the new RK25 that just came out. A lot more tractor with a lot bigger tires and frame for only $1000 more with loader. Saw a 24 and 25 side-by-side the other day. No comparison.

My neighbor has an RK24 and his biggest complaint with Rural King is that they won't let him trade his tractor in for something else. That's another area where they differ from a standard dealer. Won't take trade-ins or deal with any used equipment -- not even RK brand units.

My Kubota dealer doesn't want to trade tractors either as I tried to trade in my B2650 and the price they would give me for it was crazy low . I could easily sell it myself but I would still have to deal with the same dealer as there aren't any other Kubota dealers around where I live .

 

[Florida2610D]

It wouldn't be fair if I didn't post this. After submitting a request to Ask The RK Tractor guy, I promptly got a call from my local store and I told them what I wanted. I was promised a call back with prices and info. The next day I got the call back and the prices were very reasonable. Better than I found anywhere else online. I told them to place the order and they said it would be couple weeks and they will call when the order arrives.

 

[Ohio RK24]

I absolute love my RK24 but I regret buying it. Customer service at my local store absolutely sucks. Trying to get an answer to a question or finding a part in person is almost impossible. I have never called my local store and been able to speak to anybody in the Tractor Department. They leave you on hold until you hang up. I tried five times in one day, same thing every time. I am talking 30 to 40 minutes on hold. So I never call anymore. I drive the 40 minutes to the store when I need something and when I finally get somebody from the tractor department to actually address me they act like it is an inconvenience to deal with my question or request. Some of the most miserable people I have ever dealt with. I wish you could just order RK or TYM parts online without having to deal with these people.

Yes Sir,
Great little tractor, terrible service with undertrained, unconcerned individuals.
They probably hire the people that no other tractor service company will hire, I'm sure that they pay is commensurate with skill/ability.
Every time I have needed something (which is seldom) they do not have it, have no clue what it is or say that they will order it and call me when it comes in. Hell I am still waiting on a call from over a year ago, but I am certain they call soon.
I have thus far been able to find alternative items from other reliable sources, but I sure do hope that I never have need of a RK only item.
My RK does not even have a real tractor shop, they just carved out a very poorly lit section of their small engine repair shop and call it good.
If I were a person that put a lot of hours on my tractor I would never buy RK, even if it meant buying second hand name brand, I would find the closest dealer service shop to me and look for that brand of tractor.

 

[blacktruck]

Yes Sir,
Great little tractor, terrible service with undertrained, unconcerned individuals.
They probably hire the people that no other tractor service company will hire, I'm sure that they pay is commensurate with skill/ability.
Every time I have needed something (which is seldom) they do not have it, have no clue what it is or say that they will order it and call me when it comes in. Hell I am still waiting on a call from over a year ago, but I am certain they call soon.
I have thus far been able to find alternative items from other reliable sources, but I sure do hope that I never have need of a RK only item.
My RK does not even have a real tractor shop, they just carved out a very poorly lit section of their small engine repair shop and call it good.
If I were a person that put a lot of hours on my tractor I would never buy RK, even if it meant buying second hand name brand, I would find the closest dealer service shop to me and look for that brand of tractor.

Exactly what I have thought all along about this RK tractor. I believe the tractor to be a good quality unit that is no more prone to breakage than any of the major brand names. I also think their weak link is their service and parts network. Under normal circumstances, few of either are necessary. However, with all things mechanical, things will break. Usually at the most inconvenient place and time but that is a just a corollary to the original law. When that does happen, RK is not positioned to be much help to the average homeowner. I really like the RK24 but am hesitant to buy from them. My next new tractor will be my retirement gift to me from me. It probably won't be used in a high hour application. More like something to get out of the house and push some dirt or mow something around the farm. I think RK has the ability to fix some of the shortfalls in their network but it would take a serious rethink to make it happen correctly. I'll keep watching to see if there are any new developments with this.

 

[WADFL]

RK charges less for their tractors because they don't have all the legacy costs associated with a full-service brand, nor the middleman markups.

Anyone buying these tractors should know this.

The only issue I see is that RK made a mistake in selling themselves as a full-line supporting dealer - just sell the machine, provide basic maintenance parts, have a catalog for advanced parts, and do not set the expectation that customers will have hand-holding which they didn't pay for.