Combines Uh oh lost another dealer

[Tom_Russell]

That sounds like the guys in Willmar. I still dont know why AGCO pulled their contract. The new owners certainly are reputable and Rod is still working there.

 

[Russ_SCPA]

I know all 3 dealers Tim NJ mentioned. And to Buckeyegleaner, 100% straight up and right on. I just had the unfortunate experience of "roasting" an R50, finding a replacement machine quickly that was acceptable was difficult. One of the above mentioned dealers went way, way out thier way to find me a machine. Guess where I source as many parts as possibleIJ As much service as possibleIJ New purchasesIJ There is a reason to support. I've bounced around for a while now, and B. Equip., Inc just might have the best combine service man I have ever been around.

 

[Tim_nj]

I understand the dymanics of dealers. I've done business with all three dealers I've mentioned. I bought a lot of OEM parts from Hernley's and B., as well as from CJ Wonsidler. I bought my Hesston baler new from CJ, and sent my neighbor there to buy one too, as well as a new manure spreader. Problem is, CJ is getting up there in years, and I don't know if anybody wants to take over the store. IF I decide to keep planting deer pasture . . . er, soybeans, I might go trade my K2 to CJ for a nice M2 he has . . . . but what I really mean about booting the Gleaner down the road is stop combining altogether and just go ear corn and hay, my two biggest moneymakers, no more small grain and beans.

 

[RJT]

Thats right Tom. How do you suppose the guys feel that bought those 5 new Massey rotary combines he sold in the last two years. They now will have to go either to Ada Mn or Hull Iowa for parts, both at least 200 miles from here. Sure Glencoe is a MF dealer as is 3 or 4 other guys in Minnesota, but they only sell tractors, don't have any combine parts. Another post above says Agco has a plan, sure wish they would tell their customers so we wouldn't get caught in this situation. I still have 4 Massey tractors and a Gleaner combine, I hope I don't wake up one of these days to find out I have no parts and service at all. Hmm I wonder just what that plan is that Agco has. You got any idea TomIJ

 

[Tom_Russell]

I dont have any ideas, Ron; all I can do is scratch my head like everyone else is doing. I wrote a letter to Agco telling them that a strong nearby dealer like the one in Willmar is a necessity. I dont recall getting a reply. Willmar Massey is no longer an Agco dealer but we have bought our usual filter order from them. And Rod says he will continue selling Agco parts. There has to be more to this story than we are hearing. lano in Norwood is a good solid Gleaner dealer although most of the new stuff on their lot is New Holland. I doubt that they do much servicing on Massey but they have some good Gleaner mechanics. The dealer in Waconia is a good source for parts and service for Massey but I dont think they have Gleaner. Mountain lake and Redwood Falls have good solid Gleaner dealers that arent very far from you. We have done business with both of them. By the way, I have 5 MF tractors including three 4-wheelers and a Gleaner combine and I am not planning on changing brands except I dont like 2-door cabs. The world is changing; I hope we can survive all the shuffling.

 

[orange]

With regard to dealer concerns with Agco, I, too have written letters and talked as loudly as I could to Agco management about the dealer situation. They state that they are constantly trying to recruit new dealer points that are first class operations. A difficult task as we know. It is also public knowledge that Deere and Case are also actvively trying to reduce their dealer numbers. Deere is doing this with a "2 tiered" dealer system, their are 2 beam supported sign dealers and single pole supported sign dealers. The 2's are premier and the singles are associate (i.e. need to improve). This same scenario is going on in the automotive landscape as well. This is not just an Agco activity. I just visisted HHD in Grand Island and judging by the interest in the new A85, I think the Gleaner line has a bright future. On the first harvesting demo, I think that nearly half of the crowd left when the A85 completed its pass. It also looked like the grass was worn down around the A85 sitting in the lot.

 

[Red_Painter]

I think lund in Madison is also MF_Gleaner dealer. Would be 55 miles or so to get parts which is a long ways. Remember stopping by that Willmar MF dealer years back. One of the few selling MF combines. I would think if the dealer is putting out machines they would like to keep a dealer going at least till they can get a stronger dealer.

 

[Trit]

You don't like 2 door cabs. Why notIJ

 

[Tom_Russell]

First of all, I dont need nor do I want 2 doors. Secondly, I need a place to put my lunch and a jug of water without someone opening the wrong door spilling everything on the ground. Thirdly, I want a good place to mount monitors, 2-way radio, etc that wont get bumped by someone using the area as a hallway. And last, I like a full side console instead of a crowded, abbreviated version that is necessary to make room for a hallway to the extra door. I have several utility tractors forklifts, etc that dont have cabs but I almost never mount or dismount on the right-hand side because it is crowded with levers and I run the danger of catching a shoelace or clothing on whatever hand controls that are there. One dealer salesman said I could buy sticky back mounts for holding stuff on the RH door. In my view, that would be about as useful as a rubber crutch.

 

[Soy_Breeding_Boy]

I always keep that door locked so no one will enter from that side of the tractor and mess up my wiring. However, when changing implements (Planter, NH3, Sprayer) I unlock the door and am able to gain access to the back of all of the monitors and wiring without lying around the steering wheel_Consol_Clutch and Brake Pedals. Two doors was one of main features that convinced me that trading up to the White 8410 was a good decision.