"Yeah, we used to sell those".

[TBJolly]

Some of the factors (at least for me) when considering a tractor purchase is dealer stability, which translates into parts availability and warranty work. But it seems like nowadays, many of the newer dealers fail after just a few years, or many times change tractor lines.

I can understand the basic principles of business and why new dealers fail, but why do so many dealers who are successful, change lines multiple times over the years? Do companies vary that much between flooring plans, finance access, pricing, etc.?

 

[mddorange]

I don't know as my Kubota dealer has been in business for over 15 years and has always sold Kubota.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm very rural. There's been very little dealer movement in my area. An original Allis Chalmers dealer 25 miles from me has migrated to Massey Ferguson and Kubota. Otherwise all the dealers I grew up with in this area are still selling the same brand or have went out of business due to their personal age.

I know what you mean when talking about some of less common brands though. Especially the "grey market" brands. They come and go when you get closer to larger populated areas near me.

 

[RoyJackson]

I haven't seen any of the major brands (Deere, Kubota, New Holland) changing their primary lines. I have seen a few add a line...and, if that added line wasn't successful, stop selling the line.
Some smaller dealers of lesser known brands (TYM, LS, Montana, Long) have come and gone...or turned to other brands. Mostly, IMHO, due to the brand not catching on or not having adequate dealer/service support.

Kioti...now that's a brand on the cusp of becoming a major player...

 

[clayhardock]

What in particular are you referring to?

This is the exact reason I didn't buy a Montanna/LG/Mahindra/etc tractor. I looked specifically for JD, Kubota and NH. Those three have had the same dealerships in place near me for 20+years with established parts networks. The off brands are way cheaper and and offered more options but I didn't feel comfortable buying from a dealer over 2hrs away that had only been carrying that line for 2 years. The more local dealer I want "used" to carry that brand but then dropped it. I asked if they still stock parts and they said they get them as needed. I use my tractor for a small bussiness and when I need parts I want them right fubbing now!

 

[ovrszd]

What in particular are you referring to?

This is the exact reason I didn't buy a Montanna/LG/Mahindra/etc tractor. I looked specifically for JD, Kubota and NH. Those three have had the same dealerships in place near me for 20+years with established parts networks. The off brands are way cheaper and and offered more options but I didn't feel comfortable buying from a dealer over 2hrs away that had only been carrying that line for 2 years. The more local dealer I want "used" to carry that brand but then dropped it. I asked if they still stock parts and they said they get them as needed. I use my tractor for a small bussiness and when I need parts I want them right fubbing now!

I went thru something like this when looking for a secondary tractor. No brand war intended here. I found what I thought was a great candidate. A Massey Ferguson 1150. Before I went to look at it one of the TBN members here asked about parts availability?? I never thought about that. I did some Google searching. Couldn't find any readily available source for parts. After eliminating that tractor I found a Ford 3910. I can buy parts from this computer without leaving the warmth of my shop fire. I like that. Personally, I steer clear of some brands for that reason.

 

[GManBart]

There used to be four NH dealers within about 45min of me. Two now sell LS, one sells Kioti, and the fourth simply closed (they were probably the largest). One has always been a very small dealer, who does more service/repair than anything else, but the other three were pretty good size, and all have been in business for several decades.

 

[cford36]

There used to be four NH dealers within about 45min of me. Two now sell LS, one sells Kioti, and the fourth simply closed (they were probably the largest). One has always been a very small dealer, who does more service/repair than anything else, but the other three were pretty good size, and all have been in business for several decades.

My local long time NH dealer just closed shop. There are no guarentees even with a long time dealer or established brand.

 

[murphy1244]

My NH, Kioti dealer has been in business since 1938.

 

[ovrszd]

That's very cool Murph. In the little town I grew up in, Ridgeway, Missouri, we had one of the last Oliver dealers. Not sure when they started but it went clear thru two generations so probably sometime pre WWII. They converted to White but never took down the Oliver sign. They finally gave it up in their elderly years a few years ago. I loved going in that old building. The smells and the old parts hanging on the walls of the parts room made me feel good.

 

[coobie]

One agco/massey ferguson dealers around here.There used to be three of them.Same with new holland/ford dealers.Kubota,john deere and kioti dealers are strong in my area.

 

[GManBart]

That's very cool Murph. In the little town I grew up in, Ridgeway, Missouri, we had one of the last Oliver dealers. Not sure when they started but it went clear thru two generations so probably sometime pre WWII. They converted to White but never took down the Oliver sign.

I've always loved the Oliver styling and colors....would LOVE to have a sign like that!

 

[k0ua]

My NH, Kioti dealer has been in business since 1938.

My NH/Kioti dealer in business since 1969. They didn't have all the locations they have now of course. I am not sure when they took on the Kioti line. But they still have both plus a lot of implements/machinery

 

[oldpilgrim]

My Mahindra dealer has been selling Mahindras for over 10 years. For the 40 or so years before that they sold JD, until a large dealer relocated into the area. The same family has been running it since the beginning, for 3 generations. Grandma, the wife of the original founder is still keeping the books.

 

[DavesTractor]

Dealer and brand stability is a good thing to consider. In our area, we have been selling Mahindra for 12 years and have seen 2 Kubota, 1 JD, 1 NH, 2 Kioti, 1 McCormick, 1 Montana, 1 Farmtrac and 1 Bobcat dealership come and go within 40 miles. Of course with the JD and Kubota brands, you are pretty much assured someone will quickly pick up the line. With a lesser known brand, sometime it does not get picked up right away, or in the case of some brands....they go away and never come back. I often tell people that Mahindra is #1 by unit volume in the world and #3 in the USA, I tell them this just to try to differentiate ourselves from the brands and dealers that come and go.

The financial downturn of 2008-2010 thinned out most of the weak brands and dealers. If we see an upturn in interest rates in 2016 or 2017 we may see dealers and brands tested again. But I'm no economist.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

My dealer opened in 1949 and sells a full Agco line, NH and Kubota. They have a great service shop and were the main reason I bought my Massey over a Kioti that had a few more options and about $900 less. The Kioti dealer had only been in business for five years.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

our NH dealer picked up Kioti a few yrs ago. several on here have said their NH dealers also sell kioti, is this widespread?

 

[murphy1244]

That's very cool Murph. In the little town I grew up in, Ridgeway, Missouri, we had one of the last Oliver dealers. Not sure when they started but it went clear thru two generations so probably sometime pre WWII. They converted to White but never took down the Oliver sign. They finally gave it up in their elderly years a few years ago. I loved going in that old building. The smells and the old parts hanging on the walls of the parts room made me feel good.

We had a Oliver dealer in the next town that now sells Massey but still runs a junk yard parts sales for Oliver and IH.

 

[k0ua]

our NH dealer picked up Kioti a few yrs ago. several on here have said their NH dealers also sell kioti, is this widespread?

There does seem to be a trend here.

 

[JJZ 109]

The tractor market kinda reminds me of the snowmobile market in the 70's. How many little dealerships sprang up with dozens of brands. Now they've all faded except for 4 brands.