In this article, we will explore the top 5 mistakes tractor buyers make so that you can purchase your next tractor without regrets!
1. Bad Dealerships
Not all dealers are alike. While a dealership may look nice outside, it could harbor some support teams that would harm your operation.
Reliability
If you buy from a dealership that is not reliable, you could end up getting convinced to buy a tractor that causes you nothing but headaches down the road. Here are some signs:
- The dealership doesn't pick up the phone when you call, or they never have the parts in stock that you need, and it takes them weeks to even place the order.
- Check if the dealership has a good reputation for their parts, service & repair shop.
Many businesses will have their share of negative reviews from unsatisfied customers. But if the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, then you should be good to go.
You may still want to visit a store if a dealership only has a few customer reviews, and a good portion of those are negative. Instead of crossing the dealer off your list to check out, you should be extra cautious and observant of the people who work there.
Things to look for when visiting a dealership:
- Does the dealership provide service, repair, and parts for the products they carry?
- Is the salesperson friendly and knowledgeable? Can he or she answer all your questions?
- Does the dealer offer test rides and demonstrations for their products?
2. Choosing the Wrong Brand
The prices of tractor brands can vary greatly. There’s nothing wrong with saving a buck or a couple of thousand bucks. However, even paying top dollar does not indicate your future happiness.
However, the only thing more expensive than the tractor is several visits to the repair shop to fix stuff that isn't covered under warranty. Too often, Tractor Bob gets customers walking through its doors who look distraught because they bought a cheap new tractor.
A frequent complaint that Tractor Bob hears is that a piece of equipment has broken down, and the manufacturer refuses to honor a warranty claim. Tractor Bob’s team understands this frustration. That is why they welcome those who’ve had this experience with open arms.
Tractor Bob will take their bucket of bolts in on trade and get them in the seat of a Yanmar tractor. Yanmar is a brand known for high-quality engineering, parts availability, and reliable warranty coverage.
Tractor Bob is primarily a Yanmar Tractor and Bad Boy Tractor dealership. They would not tell you to stay away from any brands. The research is up to you.
Components
A good part of a buyer’s research could include determining if its components are solid.
- Who are the "real" engine and transmission manufacturers?
- Where are the components made?
- What is the overall reputation of the manufacturer?
More giant global conglomerates frequently own tractor brands. This conglomeration makes finding out who made a tractor’s components difficult. Knowing about a company’s commitment to your product can tell you much about its value.
3. Buying the Wrong Size Tractor
Size matters! A tractor can be too small or, believe it or not – too big. These issues can be overcome with a dealer who can help you find the size that fits your operation.
Tractor Bob is prepared to help if you have purchased an improperly sized tractor. They will take that tractor in on trade and get a customer in the seat of something that matches their application or use case.
Buying a tractor that is too big might even be worse than buying one that's too small. More giant tractors might not be able to fit in places that are critical to getting to your property or job site. More giant tractors are more cumbersome to load onto trailers and much more expensive to fix if anything goes wrong.
Service work on more giant tractors can be more expensive. Tires are more expensive; the list goes on and on.
Buying a tractor that's powerful enough and yet compact enough to meet all your needs is the key. If you’re moving large hay bales or plan on using a batwing to mow, a 24hp won't work.
Similarly, if you need to fit through a 48” gate on a job site, a 30hp tractor will probably be too broad.
A great example of a Tractor Bob customer who needed a compact tractor that was also powerful enough to tackle big jobs was Dynah with Feather Creek Farms. Dynah had a 100hp John Deere tractor and discovered that a 60hp Yanmar YT3 series tractor was the best choice for her operation.
4. Buying the Wrong Implements
Compact and Subcompact tractors are like a Swiss army knife for your land. All Tractor Bobs tractors come with a loader and bucket. This configuration is frequently good enough for some customers to start doing basic things around their property. Adding to these attachments takes some careful judgment.
Buying the proper implements for your tractor will make you wonder why you didn't buy a tractor sooner. However, by buying the wrong implements, you’ll be questioning the utility of your tractor immediately.
Here's a list of tractor attachments powered by the PTO and the Hydraulics of your tractor.
Customers frequently find these attachments helpful in getting done around their places.
- A grapple for clearing brush.
- Pallet forks for moving large objects.
- A finish mower or belly mower for up around their house.
- A brush hog is helpful if there are several acres to maintain.
- Log splitter to save them from years of back pain down the road.
- A 3-point trailer mover to make towing more manageable.
- A box blade for grading land.
A 3-point quick-attach helps to make getting implements on and off the tractor much easier. Buying these a bit at a time helps customers build up their tool kit.
Check out your attachment option in the Tractor Bob video, A 2022 Buyers Guide for Small Tractors. The video was made in early 2023, so it’s still relevant.
5. Parts Availability
Buying a tractor with no reasonably available parts makes it a poor choice. Waiting weeks for a part makes a tractor very expensive – and frustrating!
Parts availability is why choosing the proper manufacturer and dealer is so important. If the dealer only sells equipment and doesn’t maintain a good parts room or lately, the long tail of an unknown supply chain hits you.
A Too Frequent Scenario: Let's say you got a steal of a deal on a little 24hp tractor made by a company you’ve never heard of with 4wd and a loader from your neighbor who’s moving. So, you give him $5,000 for the tractor, and it seems like a good deal until the tractor breaks down. You need parts that no longer exist to fix it. That is a $5,000 loss because you can't fix the tractor, and you'll never be able to sell it.
Conclusion
- Find a dealer with the operation and support to keep you going successfully.
- Choose a brand that is in the tractor business for the long haul.
- Size the tractor that fits your needs. (A good dealer can help you do this.)
- Purchase only the attachments and components you need.
- Have the right parts available when things break.
This information is covered in more detail on Tractor Bob's YouTube Channel. Click here to see the Top 5 Mistakes Tractor Buyers Make. You can see all of Tractor Bob's informative videos on their YouTube Channel.
Tractor Bob is committed to helping buyers find the right solution for their power equipment needs. You can also learn more about using your power equipment on this site.
Reach out to one of Tractor Bob’s mower experts to select a machine that fits your needs.
