New guy with cut/scut questions

[chuckd1277]

I am starting to look into buying a new tractor. I just bought a house with about 2 acres, mostly grass. I currently have a small John Deere LX176 with a 38" deck. I would like to reduce my mowing time and I also have a lot of plans for landscaping where a FEL would come in handy. So far I have looked at Cub Cadets, John Deere, Kubota and Massey Ferguson. All things being equal, I like the Massey (GC2400) the best but the dealer is the farthest away (close to an hour drive). The dealer seems to be great and the salesperson spent a lot of time answering questions. The Cub and the Deere/Kubota dealers are much closer (within 10-15 minutes) but they have not been as helpful. Also, I have heard bad things about the Deere/Kubota service dept. I like the Kubota B series tractors as well but the dealer makes me a little concerned.

If anyone has similar models or other suggestions I would like to hear your opinions. Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[CharlieR]

The machines all do their stuff fairly well but the dealers don't.
Go for the best dealer.

 

[whistlepig]

I am starting to look into buying a new tractor. I just bought a house with about 2 acres, mostly grass. I currently have a small John Deere LX176 with a 38" deck. I would like to reduce my mowing time and I also have a lot of plans for landscaping where a FEL would come in handy. So far I have looked at Cub Cadets, John Deere, Kubota and Massey Ferguson. All things being equal, I like the Massey (GC2400) the best but the dealer is the farthest away (close to an hour drive). The dealer seems to be great and the salesperson spent a lot of time answering questions. The Cub and the Deere/Kubota dealers are much closer (within 10-15 minutes) but they have not been as helpful. Also, I have heard bad things about the Deere/Kubota service dept. I like the Kubota B series tractors as well but the dealer makes me a little concerned.

If anyone has similar models or other suggestions I would like to hear your opinions. Thanks in advance for your time.

I would read the reviews here on TBN and pick your brand from that. How close or how far the dealer is away

 

[whistlepig]

I am starting to look into buying a new tractor. I just bought a house with about 2 acres, mostly grass. I currently have a small John Deere LX176 with a 38" deck. I would like to reduce my mowing time and I also have a lot of plans for landscaping where a FEL would come in handy. So far I have looked at Cub Cadets, John Deere, Kubota and Massey Ferguson. All things being equal, I like the Massey (GC2400) the best but the dealer is the farthest away (close to an hour drive). The dealer seems to be great and the salesperson spent a lot of time answering questions. The Cub and the Deere/Kubota dealers are much closer (within 10-15 minutes) but they have not been as helpful. Also, I have heard bad things about the Deere/Kubota service dept. I like the Kubota B series tractors as well but the dealer makes me a little concerned.

If anyone has similar models or other suggestions I would like to hear your opinions. Thanks in advance for your time.

I would read the reviews here on TBN and pick your brand from that based on experience. How close or how far the dealer is away matters not to me. I will drive as far as required to get good service and deal with people that I trust. I don't buy second rate equipment and I don't deal with second rate dealers. I do have this choice. If we all chose what is close over what is best then what is best will not survive.

 

[Don87]

I looked at them all, as you have. I went for the Massey, and I'm glad I did after things I've read in here since I purchased mine.
I bought the tractor..........Then joined TBN.
And I personally, would drive an hour for the Massey.:thumbsup:

 

[VABlue]

The machines will perform equally, so lean on the dealer and the ergonomics you like. Is the operator layout of the machine comfortable for you? Will the Massey service guys drive out to your place to make house calls? If so, seems like you have your choice... If not, can you trailer it easily (have the truck/trailer combo already, or another new purchase?)?

Good call on the FEL, it'll be more handy than you're currently imagining...

 

[TripleR]

Can't improve on the advice given so far, if you like the Massey and dealer I would go for it. Chances are if you do your own maintenance you won't have to go back to the dealer anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the drive.

 

[chuckd1277]

Thanks for the input. Sounds like everyone is saying what I was thinking. A dealer that is convenient to get to doesn't matter much if they aren't helpful when you get there. I don't mind driving much and I would be able to borrow a trailer if need be.

I never thought to ask about the house calls, I will have to check into that.

Thanks again.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the input. Sounds like everyone is saying what I was thinking. A dealer that is convenient to get to doesn't matter much if they aren't helpful when you get there. I don't mind driving much and I would be able to borrow a trailer if need be.

I never thought to ask about the house calls, I will have to check into that.

Thanks again.

Absolutely can not beat a good dealer. Mine has made two house calls and one time dropped a filter off they didn't have in stock when I was there.

 

[chuckd1277]

Yeah, the only thing is that I am basing my opinion right now on first impressions and gut feelings. I don't know anyone that has purchased from the Massey dealer so I can't base it on previous experience. I have, however, heard first hand about the Deere/Kubota dealer being slow to service machines. I have had good luck with the Cub dealer on other products that I have purchased there but I don't love the Cub (SC2400). To date, the Massey dealer is the only one to have what I am looking for in stock and let me test drive it. I have driven similar machines from Deere and Kubota that friends and neighbors own but the dealer never seems to have any on hand nor do they have a lot of space at the dealer to drive anything.