NEW TO TRACTORS

[scolabird]

Really impressed with the price,feedback, and proximity of the RK TRACTORS.
I'm torn between the baby RK24 or a comp. brand model and the RK37.

We have a small parcel of 10 acres of semi cleared land... The rig will be used primarily for keeping up the dirt road, clearing some trails, hogging and some tilling (less than 5 acres) and likely a grapple for misc. tasks. Am I likely going to kick myself if I go for the more affordable RK24 or should I step up to a 30hp series... Only ran a few tractors in my life and while we will certainly feel the squeeze on our wallets with the bigger unit i don't want to regret our purchase or feel like it can't handle the work, especially maintaining our private road and ditches.

Thanks

 

[Rmart30]

What area are ya in? somewhere with a good used tractor market? Other brand dealers around?

 

[jbrumberg]

scolabird- Welcome to TBN!!! A little more info as to your location, known tasks, and future anticipated tasks would be helpful. The membership here would love to help you spend your hard-earned cash. Either tractor frame size and HP could work for you.

 

[jeff9366]

I'm torn between the baby RK24 or a comp. brand model and the RK37.

We have 10 acres of semi cleared land. The rig will be used primarily for keeping up the dirt road, clearing some trails, hogging and some tilling (less than 5 acres) and likely a grapple for misc. tasks.

Am I likely going to kick myself if I go for the more affordable RK24 or should I step up to a 30hp series? Only ran a few tractors in my life and while we will certainly feel the squeeze on our wallets with the bigger unit i don't want to regret our purchase or feel like it can't handle the work.

The RK24 is a Subcompact Tractor.

The RK37 is a Compact Tractor.


Subcompact tractors are best regarded as wonderful lawn mowers with the bonus ability to do light landscaping tasks. You have not itemized mowing turf as a tractor application.

With only 9" ground clearance with mower removed, it is difficult to take a subcompact tractor into woodlands.

FEL bucket lift capacity is around 500 pounds. Not much by tractor standards BUT SURE BEATS TRUNDLING A WHEELBARROW OF 80 POUNDS CAPACITY. With a full bucket, the tractor can be a bit unstable.....but so are other tractors. Front axle is thin. Plan to keep 350 to 450 pounds counterbalance mounted on the Three Point Hitch when doing Loader work. Weight behind the robust rear axle unloads weight from the relatively weak front axle, pierced by the steering pivot.

Subcompact tractors are solid for what they are. Excellent first tractors. Easy to service yourself.


Five reasons owner/operators trade up from Subcompact Tractors:
More tractor weight.
More FEL lift capacity.
Greater ground clearance
Three-range (3) HST (Lower LOW, Higher, HIGH) rather than two-range (2) HST.
Larger wheels and tires yield more tractive power pulling ground contact implements and logs, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Larger wheels and tires permit heavier tractors to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less operator perturbation.

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a new, heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is generally greater than depreciation on a tractor.

Be sure to try both RK models for operator station fit. Especially important if your are six feet tall or taller, trend portly and/or wear a size 10 shoe or larger.

For the tractor applications you have listed, I recommend the heavier RK37. The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Heavier tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used.


VIDEO: So you want to TRADE UP for a new Tractor? - TMT - YouTube

Your LOCATION should be part of your T-B-N PROFILE, so it shows with every post you make.​

 

[jeff9366]

Really impressed with the price,feedback, and proximity of the RK TRACTORS.
I'm torn between the baby RK24 or a comp. brand model and the RK37.

We have a parcel of 10 acres of semi cleared land. Tractor will be used primarily for keeping up the dirt road, clearing trails, hogging and some tilling (less than 5 acres) and likely a grapple for misc. tasks. i don't want to regret our purchase or feel like it can't handle the work, especially maintaining our road and ditches.

Whatever decision you reach, budget for a Ratchet Rake bucket attachment.

VIDEO: ratchet rake grading - YouTube

 

[Diggin It]

We have a small parcel of 10 acres of semi cleared land... The rig will be used primarily for keeping up the dirt road, clearing some trails, hogging and some tilling (less than 5 acres) and likely a grapple for misc. tasks.

I'm guessing you'll want more than 25 HP.

I know you can beat their price.

 

[scolabird]

Diggin it (I'm guessing you'll want more than 25 HP.

I know you can beat their price.)
Implying I can haggle/negotiate a better price or was that the "can" intended as a "CAN'T"





Jeff that looks incredibly helpful and thank all you gentlemen for the feedback.

I know there is a lot of skepticism regarding RK remaining in the tractor business long term, but i really like what ive read on them. Mind you, I can get a slightly better price on the Kubota L3301DT 33HP 4x4 w/Loader, 18ft Trailer, 5ft Rotary Cutter, and 5ft Box Blade but at a price tag of Our Price: $22,890 from an Alabama dealer not too far away.... In comparision the Rk37 that has really caught my eye same build out with a 20ft trailer instead of 18ft running me $5k more. Any advice or recs?

 

[jeff9366]

Diggin it (I'm guessing you'll want more than 25 HP.

I know you can beat their price.)
Implying I can haggle/negotiate a better price or was that the "can" intended as a "CAN'T"

I know there is a lot of skepticism regarding RK remaining in the tractor business long term, but i really like what ive read on them.
I can get a slightly better price on the Kubota L3301DT 33HP 4x4 w/Loader, 18ft Trailer, 5ft Rotary Cutter, and 5ft Box Blade but at a price tag of Our Price: $22,890 from an Alabama dealer not too far away.... In comparision the Rk37 that has really caught my eye same build out with a 20ft trailer instead of 18ft running me $5k more. Any advice or recs?

No one has reported Rural King discounting the price of new RK tractors. The price you see is the price you pay.
Digging it unfortunately is erratic. Sometimes helpful, sometimes ties the shoelaces of tractor neophytes together.

Shopping for Package Deals when you don't know what you don't know often leads to BUYER'S REMORSE. Examine the constituent specs closely. Ask here if you have questions.

Kubota dealers all have HD trailers, HD trucks and HD insurance to haul tractors. Transport by dealer is not a free service but probably cheaper than owning, licensing and insuring your own, assuming your truck has enough towing capacity. Buying the right trailers is almost as complex as buying the right tractor.

VIDEO: Shady Internet Tractor Package "deals" - YouTube

 

[Diggin It]

Implying I can haggle/negotiate a better price or was that the "can" intended as a "CAN'T"

I'm saying it's very likely you can by checking other brands. Many of us have. My total price was a a least a couple of thousand below RK's. There was a comment made that RK offered things the others didn't. Those things were of no value to me, nor would I be likely to use them. If I could get them at no cost ... maybe. Remember, RK is a rebranded TYM, so you could check that brand and see what a dealer might offer.

 

[Diggin It]

Another thing to consider is the financing unless you plan to get it privately. RK insists on a significant down payment. I can't remember if it's 10 or 20%, but it's several thousand dollars. Then they want around 6% interest. Some manufacturers offer 3 or 4% and some offer 0%, some with $0 down.

I financed 100%, no down payment and got around 4.5% for 84 months. May not have been the very best available over all, but I didn't have to cough up big bucks at first either.

 

[Jchonline]

I would not get a package deal. If you look at the implements and the trailer they are probably at the bottom of the spec sheet. Find the implements that are matched well to your machine and relatively heavy duty. The same goes for the trailer. Do you want a geared transmission? You do have some field work, but overall have you considered HST?

 

[Jchonline]

Another thing to consider is the financing unless you plan to get it privately. RK insists on a significant down payment. I can't remember if it's 10 or 20%, but it's several thousand dollars. Then they want around 6% interest. Some manufacturers offer 3 or 4% and some offer 0%, some with $0 down.

I financed 100%, no down payment and got around 4.5% for 84 months. May not have been the very best available over all, but I didn't have to cough up big bucks at first either.

Kubota and JD have no interest on their machines in this range. It doesnt sound like you got a good deal on your machine after all if you are paying 4.5%. One will pay $3300 in interest on a $20k purchase over 84m.

 

[nards444]

Kubota and JD have no interest on their machines in this range. It doesnt sound like you got a good deal on your machine after all if you are paying 4.5%. One will pay $3300 in interest on a $20k purchase over 84m.

All depends, ive gotten multiple quotes from different dealers and brands. Most of the time 0% means more overall for the machine as they dont give you a free loader or free this or that. A few of them the difference was only 1 few bucks a month, making the non 0% maybe 5-600 cheaper over the term, also not having to cough up big coin up front. I actually will have some money down so the standard rate works better. Just have to play with it some and see what works best. 0% is kind of re herring in financing, as its truly not free.

 

[jayincmh]

Another thing to consider is the financing unless you plan to get it privately. RK insists on a significant down payment. I can't remember if it's 10 or 20%, but it's several thousand dollars. Then they want around 6% interest. Some manufacturers offer 3 or 4% and some offer 0%, some with $0 down.

I financed 100%, no down payment and got around 4.5% for 84 months. May not have been the very best available over all, but I didn't have to cough up big bucks at first either.

Absolutely not true. RK (DLL Finance) advertises and does finance 100% of the purchase. No large down payment is required...either by RK or DLL. I know this, as I just purchased a new RK-55 and 7 or 8 implements a little over a month ago. YOU may have needed to do that based on your credit situation and purchase, but neither RK nor DLL Finance require that. They even advertise 0% down. (I'm not implying that no money down is a smart financial move...that's for each individual to figure out on their own. I had money to put down, but it was not required or even requested.)

 

[Jchonline]

Depends on the lender. With Kubota the difference between cash and 0 % was $500.

 

[paulfun9]

Diggin it (I'm guessing you'll want more than 25 HP.

I know you can beat their price.)
Implying I can haggle/negotiate a better price or was that the "can" intended as a "CAN'T"





Jeff that looks incredibly helpful and thank all you gentlemen for the feedback.

I know there is a lot of skepticism regarding RK remaining in the tractor business long term, but i really like what ive read on them. Mind you, I can get a slightly better price on the Kubota L3301DT 33HP 4x4 w/Loader, 18ft Trailer, 5ft Rotary Cutter, and 5ft Box Blade but at a price tag of Our Price: $22,890 from an Alabama dealer not too far away.... In comparision the Rk37 that has really caught my eye same build out with a 20ft trailer instead of 18ft running me $5k more. Any advice or recs?

Make sure your comparing apples to apples!

Are both tractors the same frame size?
Do they both have the same type gearing? hydrostatic to hydrostatic and gear to gear and power shuttle to power shuttle.
Do both come with the same options? Rear remotes, extendable links ext.
Do they both have a quick attach bucket?
What will the cost be with any additions you might add like hydraulic function to operate the grapple you want to add?
Which are you more comfortable on? Remember you will be on the seat for a lot of hours.

Don稚 just look at the length of the trailer, look at quality of the build, ease of use in practice (not just can everything be pilled on to get it home once.) (one must remember if you plan to use it you will have to pile everything on it every time you need to go someplace) what is the gross whieght of the trailer, can it be used for other things. Most trailers offered with a package deal would not amount to a pimple on a real trailers rear end, not something I would want to tow with on a regular basis anyway.

Comparing attachments is really hard when your new and I really don稚 recommend wrapping more than one up in the purchase due to confusion most new to tractors would be in when first buying. Also most times I find much better buys for them when shopping for just the attachment by itself than I ever have found with a bundled deal. When ever I try and include a specific attachment in he purchase simply because I know which I want the deal is never any sweeter becuase he attachment I want isn稚 always readily available to the dealer at a rate they can give a discount on. (Read that as great prices to be had on cheap implements but not for good ones with the bundle purchase)

You will see many debate on the usefulness of some options but this is one of the many places you need to be careful.
A good example would be extendable links. Some say just get a quick hitch but for me many of the attachments I have are not compatible with the quick hitch so the extendable links are worth having.
On of my box blades is old and not compatible with the quick hitch but since I purchased it for pennies on the dollar compared to a new one that is both compatible and even remotely as well built or heavy those extendable links are worth thier whieght in gold to me!
Rear remotes? Do you need them? Maybe not right away but what about the future? My neighbor thought they were too expensive till he spent a day on his driveway with a manual blade. His tractor is right now in my garage getting a set of rear remotes added at a much steeper price then he would have paid if he got them from the start and he is now looking for a buyer to take his manual blade and a deal on a good hyd one becuase mine is too big for his tractor.

I could go on here but the point I’m trying to make is be careful with your comparisons and take your time to explore all the options. One of the biggest contributors to buyers remorse is not that the tractor you purchased can’t do what needs to be done, it’s ´ more that an other one could have done it better and once you start to understand what a machine can do your needs or wants (type and size or scope for the projects anticipated) change!

Take your time and get the best machine for you.

With what you have mentioned so far I would also suggest stepping up to the 37