The more I think it over the bigger it gets...
- Thread starter Matt in Virginia
- Start date
- Views: 6381
dcyrilc
Elite Member
Good points by tsteahr. I believe, you have your mind made up, you just don't know it yet
x2. I have to second this thought.
dave1949
Super Star Member
Good points by tsteahr. I believe, you have your mind made up, you just don't know it yet
It works that way for lots of things. When a person goes to buy something seriously, not just tire kicking, often the 'sale' is already made. It's like being called back for a second job interview, don't give the interviewers a reason to change their minds, they have already decided they 'like' you.
Dave.
Matt,
I'm not anyware near your situation or have the experience running that kind of equipment for that kind of acreage.
However that said, My relatives owned 160K acres in Iowa (given to the local college.. who sold it in the 80's for 6 mil to a conglomerate....GRRR) Thier equipment choices were always... the right tool for the job is the bigger tool as time was money and broken equipement cost both time and $$$$.
I think you have your mind made up, but one thing keeps coming to mind. That is the old farmer that is manintaining some of the acreage. Maybe it would help you make up your mind as to what you "NEED", by "renting" some of his equipemnt that you know can get the job done and see how it goes? He would get some income without having to work for it, as it sounds like he isn't in great shape to work anymore, and you would not have to lay out vast sums of hard earned cash or take on loans for equipment that may or may not be the right tool you need. Renting is a great way to decide what you need to get.
BTW.. never sign over your land as colaterol. As you learned by your cousins mistake, LAND is worth a lot more than one might think over time. They just don't make more of it these day's... ok well maybe in the Middle east they do by pumping sand all over the place.
I'm not anyware near your situation or have the experience running that kind of equipment for that kind of acreage.
However that said, My relatives owned 160K acres in Iowa (given to the local college.. who sold it in the 80's for 6 mil to a conglomerate....GRRR) Thier equipment choices were always... the right tool for the job is the bigger tool as time was money and broken equipement cost both time and $$$$.
I think you have your mind made up, but one thing keeps coming to mind. That is the old farmer that is manintaining some of the acreage. Maybe it would help you make up your mind as to what you "NEED", by "renting" some of his equipemnt that you know can get the job done and see how it goes? He would get some income without having to work for it, as it sounds like he isn't in great shape to work anymore, and you would not have to lay out vast sums of hard earned cash or take on loans for equipment that may or may not be the right tool you need. Renting is a great way to decide what you need to get.
BTW.. never sign over your land as colaterol. As you learned by your cousins mistake, LAND is worth a lot more than one might think over time. They just don't make more of it these day's... ok well maybe in the Middle east they do by pumping sand all over the place.
Where in Iowa was land selling for $37.5k/acre in 160 acre chunks in the 80's?
OP
Matt in Virginia
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2010
- Messages
- 85
Gentlemen,
Just an update. I've found one of most reasonable Deere Dealers I have ever dealt with and his prices have made many things that were not "doable" doable... To boot he is like talking with the friendly cousin I never had. He makes you feel like your business is why he is there. What a concept... Tis a shame is well further down South.
I went to James River Tractor in Wakefield, Virginia to kick the tires so to speak. My contact was not there, however, there was an arrogant, ignorant, jackass there that sold larger row crop tractors available. His attitude, did I mention arrogant(?), and lack of knowledge was legion. It almost ruined the fine breakfast from The Virginia Diner I had enjoyed 30 minutes earlier...
I came to realize the following:
1. I really liked the 4320 and 4520 on the lot WITHOUT the cab. Plenty of room and workable transmission with power reverser. They proved MUCH physically bigger than I had pictured them from Deere's Videos etc... I was disappointed to find out the 4720 with the cab, that we discussed, was still at the "tractor pull" and would not be back until after 1 PM. The dealer did, however, carry me around back to a heavily used 3520(?) with a cab that had come from the king, sultan, despot, whatever of QATAR. Rather than explaining anything he tried to impress me with the fact they were supplying a chief raghead with tractors. He evidently used it with a rotating brush to clear the race track of trash before he drove his race car(s). The glazed over look did nothing to slow the details. I did note that he was replacing the 3520 w/cab with a 4520 without a cab. Something tells me he is not driving the tractor. Call that a wild guess...
I told him the MOST IMPORTANT thing was the performance of the AC in the cab and SPACE. I turned down the AC and got little back but cool air. Of course this likely had a lot to do with the jackass holding the door open. Mentioning that made little impact...
2. IF the cab on the 4520/4720 is the same size as the one on the 3520 it is too small for me. I'm a big boy and I like space. I could not turn around, as if checking an implement, without feeling very cramped. Probably time to go back on my diet...
I REALLY WISH they could have fit the standard transmission in the cab or made the cab fit the Open Operators Station. Granted this a carryover from using the same cab on the 3000 twenties as the 4000 twenties. I still hate Hydrostatic Transmissions. Only place I have seen them actually work on large equipment were our combines... Apples and Oranges.
3. I did not even get in the 5000 series. They had 5075 D and a 5075 M. I knew the D was made in India and the front axle had the "Made in China" Stamping that turned me cold when I first saw it about a year ago. I went to the 5085 M, which is assembled in Augusta, Geogia, however it to had the "Made in China" MFD Axle. I'm not paying good money for an Indian made tractor with Chinese Parts. If I do that I'll buy a Mahindra. Looks to be a sturdier tractor anyway...
4. Setting in the "small tractor" lot along with the 4000s(and 2 Woods Power Rakes;-), was a new 6430 Premium. I did a slow walk around, noted fit and finish(excellent), and the "Made in Germany" Tag. The salesman actually said "That is the best tractor WE make." Knowing what the 8000 Series are, and there were three new 8330s in front of me, I doubted that but I do have faith in the Germans. I asked him for the key, climbed in the cab, and spent a little "quality time" WITHOUT the saleman.
He returned, I took the key, and started the tractor. As Gentlemanly inferences did not work, I said "excuse me for a moment" and shut the door. The AC was excellent even though it was 94 and humidity could be sliced with a knife. It was 102F in Williamsburg when I crossed the ferry from Surry to Jamestown on long scenic way home a few hours later.
All in all the 6440 was the closest thing to my budget, wants, needs and future expansion. Granted I'll likely go with a 6330 or 6230. Further it will not be a Premium.
In short, many of you were right, I had made up my mind before I left home. Kicking the tires only confirmed it. I like the open station 4520 quite a bit. That said my allergies would likely make my time on it a bad experience. It is a FAR more appropriate lawn, small bush hog, and farm maintenance machine.
The 6030 is a perfect HAY machine especially with a 673 loader and spike. It is a FAR BETTER platform for the tractor mount HX-10 and the loaders capabilities are not even similar. The CAB and transmission are what draw me greatly. Aside from excellent quality, fit, and finish....
Regards, Matt.
As a postscript the Salesman and I did not hit off at all. I made a comment about the 5000 D & E being made in India with a Chinese Front Axle(As is the M for that matter). I told him I did not know were Deere was going as a company, however, it was anything but positive. He went on to tell me that the 5000 was made in India with many Chinese Parts to "John Deere Specs" and that "Where it is made really does not matter anymore."
I stopped, looked him in the eye, and asked him pointedly "Do you REALLY believe that. I know that is what they tell you to say, however, I've seen John Deere AG Parts Quality Control go to ****". He got ready to speak and I stopped him. I said "If everything is equal as you say answer a question for me. If you could have one tractor would it be a John Deere Made in China to "John Deere" Specs OR a John Deere Made in Germany to "John Deere" Specs? He stopped, smiled, kicked at the rocks and said "Germany of course"...
Personally I'd would have rather had one of the 8330s "Made in The United States of America", however, that was not the question. At any rate this is off topic. In short many of you were right about me have already made a decision whether I knew it or not...(grin)
Regards, Matt Garrett
Chesapeake, Virginia
757-581-6270
I am going to relate some serious John Deere Quality Control Issues on current replacement AG parts that I learned from a close friend who owns the Eyre Vale Plantation(1500 plus acres) on the Eastern Shore. I will place that story, which you can verify, on the John Deere part of this site. In the end SHOUP saved the day. Not John Deere. I am not a happy man about what is happening to this company(or this country for that matter). We are in the hands of Marketers and the future, unchanged, is bleak...
Just an update. I've found one of most reasonable Deere Dealers I have ever dealt with and his prices have made many things that were not "doable" doable... To boot he is like talking with the friendly cousin I never had. He makes you feel like your business is why he is there. What a concept... Tis a shame is well further down South.
I went to James River Tractor in Wakefield, Virginia to kick the tires so to speak. My contact was not there, however, there was an arrogant, ignorant, jackass there that sold larger row crop tractors available. His attitude, did I mention arrogant(?), and lack of knowledge was legion. It almost ruined the fine breakfast from The Virginia Diner I had enjoyed 30 minutes earlier...
I came to realize the following:
1. I really liked the 4320 and 4520 on the lot WITHOUT the cab. Plenty of room and workable transmission with power reverser. They proved MUCH physically bigger than I had pictured them from Deere's Videos etc... I was disappointed to find out the 4720 with the cab, that we discussed, was still at the "tractor pull" and would not be back until after 1 PM. The dealer did, however, carry me around back to a heavily used 3520(?) with a cab that had come from the king, sultan, despot, whatever of QATAR. Rather than explaining anything he tried to impress me with the fact they were supplying a chief raghead with tractors. He evidently used it with a rotating brush to clear the race track of trash before he drove his race car(s). The glazed over look did nothing to slow the details. I did note that he was replacing the 3520 w/cab with a 4520 without a cab. Something tells me he is not driving the tractor. Call that a wild guess...
I told him the MOST IMPORTANT thing was the performance of the AC in the cab and SPACE. I turned down the AC and got little back but cool air. Of course this likely had a lot to do with the jackass holding the door open. Mentioning that made little impact...
2. IF the cab on the 4520/4720 is the same size as the one on the 3520 it is too small for me. I'm a big boy and I like space. I could not turn around, as if checking an implement, without feeling very cramped. Probably time to go back on my diet...
I REALLY WISH they could have fit the standard transmission in the cab or made the cab fit the Open Operators Station. Granted this a carryover from using the same cab on the 3000 twenties as the 4000 twenties. I still hate Hydrostatic Transmissions. Only place I have seen them actually work on large equipment were our combines... Apples and Oranges.
3. I did not even get in the 5000 series. They had 5075 D and a 5075 M. I knew the D was made in India and the front axle had the "Made in China" Stamping that turned me cold when I first saw it about a year ago. I went to the 5085 M, which is assembled in Augusta, Geogia, however it to had the "Made in China" MFD Axle. I'm not paying good money for an Indian made tractor with Chinese Parts. If I do that I'll buy a Mahindra. Looks to be a sturdier tractor anyway...
4. Setting in the "small tractor" lot along with the 4000s(and 2 Woods Power Rakes;-), was a new 6430 Premium. I did a slow walk around, noted fit and finish(excellent), and the "Made in Germany" Tag. The salesman actually said "That is the best tractor WE make." Knowing what the 8000 Series are, and there were three new 8330s in front of me, I doubted that but I do have faith in the Germans. I asked him for the key, climbed in the cab, and spent a little "quality time" WITHOUT the saleman.
He returned, I took the key, and started the tractor. As Gentlemanly inferences did not work, I said "excuse me for a moment" and shut the door. The AC was excellent even though it was 94 and humidity could be sliced with a knife. It was 102F in Williamsburg when I crossed the ferry from Surry to Jamestown on long scenic way home a few hours later.
All in all the 6440 was the closest thing to my budget, wants, needs and future expansion. Granted I'll likely go with a 6330 or 6230. Further it will not be a Premium.
In short, many of you were right, I had made up my mind before I left home. Kicking the tires only confirmed it. I like the open station 4520 quite a bit. That said my allergies would likely make my time on it a bad experience. It is a FAR more appropriate lawn, small bush hog, and farm maintenance machine.
The 6030 is a perfect HAY machine especially with a 673 loader and spike. It is a FAR BETTER platform for the tractor mount HX-10 and the loaders capabilities are not even similar. The CAB and transmission are what draw me greatly. Aside from excellent quality, fit, and finish....
Regards, Matt.
As a postscript the Salesman and I did not hit off at all. I made a comment about the 5000 D & E being made in India with a Chinese Front Axle(As is the M for that matter). I told him I did not know were Deere was going as a company, however, it was anything but positive. He went on to tell me that the 5000 was made in India with many Chinese Parts to "John Deere Specs" and that "Where it is made really does not matter anymore."
I stopped, looked him in the eye, and asked him pointedly "Do you REALLY believe that. I know that is what they tell you to say, however, I've seen John Deere AG Parts Quality Control go to ****". He got ready to speak and I stopped him. I said "If everything is equal as you say answer a question for me. If you could have one tractor would it be a John Deere Made in China to "John Deere" Specs OR a John Deere Made in Germany to "John Deere" Specs? He stopped, smiled, kicked at the rocks and said "Germany of course"...
Personally I'd would have rather had one of the 8330s "Made in The United States of America", however, that was not the question. At any rate this is off topic. In short many of you were right about me have already made a decision whether I knew it or not...(grin)
Regards, Matt Garrett
Chesapeake, Virginia
757-581-6270
I am going to relate some serious John Deere Quality Control Issues on current replacement AG parts that I learned from a close friend who owns the Eyre Vale Plantation(1500 plus acres) on the Eastern Shore. I will place that story, which you can verify, on the John Deere part of this site. In the end SHOUP saved the day. Not John Deere. I am not a happy man about what is happening to this company(or this country for that matter). We are in the hands of Marketers and the future, unchanged, is bleak...