My best friend has a few small farms that he/we cultivate to feed his herd of horses (usually around 25). We started working with whatever old equipment we could score, but as he became more successful in business he switched to buying new stuff from local M-F dealer. We did try a bit of green paint, but overall my observation from the driver's seat is that the state of quality/service/reliability of modern farm equipment is HORRIBLE on a good day. We have never had a season without a tractor, hay conditioner or bailer failure - in spite of being genuinely prepared for each season. Even when new equipment arrives "field ready" it almost ALWAYS needs a follow up trip or two or THREE from dealer as whatever is sent seldom actually works. Tractors have been 50 - 120 - 170 HP M-F. I now have his first 45 compact (cooling system failure at low hours) replaced by a newer one that is also Japanese so not a bad bit of kit. The 120HP and 170HP though are French and have been positively HORRIBLE (I think I mentioned that already, but...). The 7490 was the field tractor, and when it worked did that job not bad, but a terrible choice for chore tractor (the 120HP was much better for things such as snow clearing - but still not a skid steer!). I don't think there was ever a moment over the 11 years that the 7490 had 100% of everything working.
Had to load a car with no front suspension at my place last week so buddy said he would drive his new tractor straight from dealer (just a few miles from my home and farm) and pick up the front end and drag it out to the street so I could back trailer under (back alley, so trailer would pull under overhead crane). He showed up in a 50 series Fendt (similar to what was given as a loaner when the 7490, as usual, failed during harvest).
The feedback from this situation is first that he got back nearly full value for his 10 year old M-Fs. The price of tractors has gone up so much one new one seems to consume the value of two older ones at full price. Would like to hear what others see - particularly in light of noting that the last highway tractor I bought new was $120Cdn. A well equipped new one today is literally THREE TIMES that price. When I look at my books, I probably make about the same level of gross revenue as I did 25 years ago. If I had to do that at the trucking rates today, can't see how possible to survive. What's the farm level of income vs. costs for same period?
Then there's the Fendt thing. I see no category for that brand here, and having a lifetime of experience with German vehicles (and other Euro stuff) my first reaction to what I have seen is seems to be a nice product line, but wary of the support that might be required in future. What says the TBN accumulated wisdom?
Had to load a car with no front suspension at my place last week so buddy said he would drive his new tractor straight from dealer (just a few miles from my home and farm) and pick up the front end and drag it out to the street so I could back trailer under (back alley, so trailer would pull under overhead crane). He showed up in a 50 series Fendt (similar to what was given as a loaner when the 7490, as usual, failed during harvest).
The feedback from this situation is first that he got back nearly full value for his 10 year old M-Fs. The price of tractors has gone up so much one new one seems to consume the value of two older ones at full price. Would like to hear what others see - particularly in light of noting that the last highway tractor I bought new was $120Cdn. A well equipped new one today is literally THREE TIMES that price. When I look at my books, I probably make about the same level of gross revenue as I did 25 years ago. If I had to do that at the trucking rates today, can't see how possible to survive. What's the farm level of income vs. costs for same period?
Then there's the Fendt thing. I see no category for that brand here, and having a lifetime of experience with German vehicles (and other Euro stuff) my first reaction to what I have seen is seems to be a nice product line, but wary of the support that might be required in future. What says the TBN accumulated wisdom?
A
