If I had to sum up my top recommendations for buying a tractor it would be the ten items below. I've done videos most of these topics but I'm not sure I've ever put them in one place.
The most important thing when shopping for a tractor, in my opinion, is not selecting a brand, but to find a dealer that you trust, whose culture fits yours and who'll be around to take care of you and buy what they're selling. Just about every brand of tractor on the market today has a model that I'd be proud to own, but the best tractor in the world with no dealer support is worthless. So, the first step in the process is to visit dealers in your area and see who you hit it off with.
Second most important thing is to make sure you're getting all the options you need. This sounds crazy, but find out if there's a more expensive model, and ask what you'd get if you bought that. Most companies offer a "bargain" and a "deluxe" model. They'll advertise the cheaper one, many times, the more expensive model will give you the options you need and you'll get the extra cost back if you ever resell the tractor. So, ask your salesperson if they're showing you their bargain model, and what you would get if you moved up.
Next, remember that a tractor is an investment. I just did a video about that here: • Keep the Old Case 570 ... . If you buy a desirable model, and take care of it, you may get a good part of your purchase price back if you keep if a few years and then sell it. Tractors hold their value, at least they do in the current market, because the supply of used is so low.
Get the biggest tractor you can afford. If you think you want a cab tractor, get it! You'll always want the next biggest tractor, because the more horsepower and size you have, the more you can do, and the more implement and attachment choices you have. I've never known anyone who wanted a cab, got one, and then hated it. I've known plenty of people who thought they might want a cab, decided against it, and then regretted it.
If you use the manufacturer's low rate, get all the options and attachments you want up front. You actually pay for the low rate program by giving up the cash-in-lieu rebate, you'll get more value from that, the more you finance. If you want remote hydraulic connections, a grill guard, a canopy, etc, or, a box blade, rock rake, post auger, grapple, or any other implement, get it up front and put it on the low rate program. You'll have use of the items from day one, and it'll be less painful to buy if it's in the payment stream.
Check out the manufacturer's insurance. Many times they offer a very attractive program to insure that the tractor is always covered while financed, and they'll roll the payments into the payment stream. Always get full replacement value insurance. That's because, unlike replacing a car, if anything happens to your tractor, it may be tough to find a comparable one to buy for the insurance settlement.
Number seven relates to warranty. Find out what the warranty is when purchasing, and what part covers all non-wear items and what part is powertrain only. Tractor warranties are usually fairly long, but only the first couple of years cover everything, after that, it's powertrain only. Extended warranties are usually not that great a deal, especially if it's administered by a third-party source and not the tractor manufacturer.
Next, if you're shopping for a used tractor, there are some I'd avoid. Small tractors with 2wd, no loader, or turf tires don't hold their resale value, and gas tractors require more maintenance than most of us want to do. Finally, avoid tractors who no longer have a dealer network in the U.S. There are many tractor companies who set up shop here, sell a bunch of tractors and then leave, making it tough to get parts and service for. Those can be boat anchors if critical repair parts can't be sourced. Here's a video on that topic: • Six Tractors With Horr... .
Number nine, especially if you're new to tractors, is to get training before leaving the dealership, preferably done by a service person. You'll need to know what all the controls do, how to maintain the tractor, and how to be safe during operation. That's best done at the dealership while both you, and the tractor, are still there.
Finally, develop a good relationship with your dealer. Get to know the service manager and parts personnel. I recommend taking them donuts once in a while. You never know when you'll need a little favor and the customer affectionately known as "The Donut Guy" will get more consideration than the "Yelling and Screaming Guy".
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31 июл 2024
