Tractor buying advice needed

Ok folks, it’s time for every hoarder’s dream: give advice on how to help me spend (but save) money. I am very close to pulling the trigger on a tractor, and I would ask for some of your experiences in negotiating with the dealership. I have bought plenty of trucks and I’m confident in that arena (invoice minus all dealer holdback minus any applicable rebates); but I’m a total newbie to the tractor/machinery arena. I don’t know the formula for success, how much room there is to come off of list price, etc.

I’m looking at a John Deere, and there are rebates available, but the levels of “dealer discount “ that I’m seeing on the quote for the different models do not add up, and feel like I’m not getting a straight answer from the sales guy which makes me extremely wary. What have y’all’s experiences been, and any tips are appreciated.
Thanks!

 

I am not sure how JD works, but this is what I use when I have purchased Kubotas:
1. Go to the website and see what promotions are offered-rebates, financing, buy 2 implements get $$ off, etc.
2. Kubota has a build your tractor feature on the website. Build what you want, and you'll get the MSRP.
3 I'm not familiar with JD pricing, but with a Kubota in theNortheast, aim for around 12% off from MSRP.
4. Go to several dealers and see what they will do. I buy from a dealer that gives me 10-12% off and will dicker back and forth on extras-I pick the tractor up, they load the tires, put a block heater on, weld hooks on the bucket, get filters for the first maintenance no cost, etc.

This is what I have done with all three tractors I have purchased. Just bought a L3560-can't wait to pick up next week.

 

I would recommend buying from whatever manufacturer dealer is closest to you. Ultimately all the major manufacturers make good machines, but being able to run to the dealer and back without wasting a whole day is worth it.

I bought an LS which has been great and I got it for roughly $5000 less than competitors...but the dealer is 1.5 hrs from me. If I could do it over again i'd get a JD just because the dealer is 10 minutes away and right near where we shop for most things anyway. Kubota second, Kioti third, LS fourth...based solely on distance to dealer.

Just my $0.02 but you're likely buying a heavy piece of machinery you'll use for many many years, a few grand either way won't matter in a few years but having to drive for hours for parts or service you'll have to deal with forever.

 

Deal over the fone. They have to step it up to get you in the store.
Get out-the-door prices first.
Dont let them blind you with a payment plan. Unless , of course, its zero interest...

 

I’m lucky in that I live in an Agriculture area, so I have all the big 5 within 15-20 mins from the house. JD has 0% for 60 months AND manufacturer cash rebate through July.

 

Build the tractor on the manufacturers website exactly like you want it configured. 15-18% off is good.

 

Best advice I can think of is to buy used.

 

Have you been to those others to see what they would do on a similar sized/featured rig?

Around here, we have Kubota & MF/Agco within a half hour, and add Deere, Landini, McCormick/LS/TYM, Mahindra & New Holland all within an hour. My first stop would be the Kubota place, but I would also likely stop at MF & Deere. Maybe drive thru the others when they weren't open for a first hand look without the sales pitch, to start with. I got a Kubota flyer last week, pretty sure they had a 0% blurb also. Also some Deeres are a bit odd with their proprietary implement hook up stuff, which might limit implement shopping in the future - although adaptors should fix that. With a bit added cost.

What model Deere?

 

Up here it's 10 to 12% off MSRP at the dealer. And that's even if you know the dealer. That's a good deal.

Each tractor brand has a size, or one model that's better than another. The only problem is what are you going to use it for to determine which one is better for you. The things I would recommend.

make sure you get higher lift capacity than you think you'll need. A tractor with a Fel will become your new favorite wheelbarrow.

The rest really depends on what you're going to use it for, what your land looks like, what implements you think you need excetera excetera

 

and of course what others have to say about the dealership and how they treat customers after the sale. Another point JD tier 4 has a lot of proprietary computer code running the eng. There has been & is a fair amount of bitchin going on about that. If you can find what you need in a tier 3 or early would suggest that. Generally tier 3 has less problems across the board than teir 4 equipment ( thanks again EPA). A piece of equipment that doesn't run isn't even worth a cheap yard ornament.

 

I do not know your area, up here 5 year old units go for 90 percent of new!! Its crazy!! If you are considering used be extremely cautious of tractors used in dairy farming as manure is corrosive.

 

I’m looking at the 4052M and 4066M. I hadn’t gone by the Massey dealer but I had gone to JD, New Holland and Kubota. It’s a big ticket purchase, one that I’m going to keep for a long time so I am most interested in features and COMFORT. New Holland is in the running too, and their guys want to sell one awfully bad. I’m trying to get my ducks in a row as far as being well prepared to see if I can do as well at the JD dealer. If they pass a good price and throw in some of the little extras etc. I will go that route. Otherwise NH is the next choice on my list. But, I will go by the MF dealer today to check those out too, just to cover my bases.

 

Thanks for that advice- and that’s why I buy new when it comes to equipment/vehicles that I don’t know the history on. Last thing I want is to buy someone’s headache or something that the owner beat the crap out of and then traded in where it got a wash, shave and polish before being dumped onto an unsuspecting buyer.

 

Meh...I dunno 'bout that...I've lived/worked on or near dairy farms all my life, many of the loader tractors that are used for manure dooty are almost as old as me...manure is not gonna do a piece of equipment any favors, but as long as it is not left thickly plastered on the machine long term, its not gonna do much to it...but even if it was left, unless you are looking at an older machine, I doubt there will be much for wear n tear/damage from the manure anyways.
IMO pig or chicken crap would do more than cow poo...
And I would agree with buying new (unless you are looking for an older "cheap" tractor)...used prices are crazy!

 

Always a possibility, but if you have patience, you can find well maintained used equipment. If you are in a hurry though, I agree that a good quality tractor can maintain it's value very well if properly maintained.

 

Look at an Kubota Grand LXX60's and MX's.

 

Since you mentioned comfort and features I'm assuming you want a cab. Make sure you test drive one because some cab sizes don't fit bigger guys all that well!

 

Buying used sounds great, but locally I looked for over a year and couldn't find anything-and I willing to consider a wide range of tractors-not brand specific, didn't have to have a loader, no transmission preference-just looking for a clean 30-40 hp tractor with 4wd. I finally bought new.

 

Will C you are Soo right.. I had a friend of a friend call up and gave me an offer on mine that's not even for sale. I'm considering it but its tough to go replace it even with a great offer..