Will they be around?

[[e-mail]]

With the buyouts and mergers and takeovers and bankrupcies of lately one might wonder what will be around in 5 years.

What brand would you guys be reluctant to buy for this reason.
Would you dare to buy a ZETOR? Will there be a STEYR? What about BUHLER VERSATILE and GENESIS? McCORMIC? BELARUS?

If I place an order now (this would apply for east-country brands in particular I guess), will the company still be around by the time of expected delivery?

Am I just paranoid or is this something that should seriously be consideredd when deciding on a purchase?

[Red_Painter]

The products that have brands of engines, transmissions, and other equipment which is commonly used your region of the world is important. I wouldn't be afraid of Buhler Versatile with Cummins engines in North America. With the popularity of these tractors, I would expect someone to make parts if they should not survive. Main line equipment companies like CNH and John Deere should have worldwide commonality of parts and would be more likely to have parts though the price may be another question.

[Woodbeef]

I'd tend to feel safer with an independant  manufacturer myself. Zetor has just been purchased by a non-ag related company,as was the same when Partek bought Sisu-Valmet. Just take a look where Valtra is today! The brands tend to survive better in these scenarios vs when they are bought or merged into other existing ag-brands. Look at what White did to Cockshutt,Oliver and Minnie Mo. Steyr I'm affraid looks like it will loose it seperate idenitity,with the new shared platform program at CNH. SD-F has also watered down Hurlimann in the past and now Deutz-Fahr. What were once proud names in the tractor world are now just badge-engineered offerings.

[eppie]

Hey Woodbeef, dont forget Lamborghini. It is also a badge belonging to SLH-DF (you know, Same-Lamborghini-Hurlimann-Deutz-Fahr)

The tractor brand Lambo is the same (also the S.A.M.E.)as the Lambo sports car. The story goes, that Mr. Lambo had trouble with the clutch of his Ferrari, and he said that it was a bad car. Mr.Ferrari challenged him to make a better car, and there, Lambo sportscars were born. That should have taken place in the seventies.

Mr. Lambo sold the tractors to SAME, and continued with cars.

[Woodbeef]

Hey Renze,

Lambo tractors.....since when? Gee what's next Porsche tractors??

No I know about the Lambos-(used to own a White badged couple),but they have been Same clones since the 70s. With both of them being Italian,I guess it was an easier transitioin than the Hurlimann,and Deutz-Fahr ones which some say have killed the two once proud brands!

[Red_Painter]

Speaking of Porsche tractors wasn't there a Porsche tractor? What ever happened to them? Did they become part of Renault?

[kenjar]

Hey Red Painter,
Yep, you are right, Porsche offered tractors in the 50's and early 60's. I think they entered the tractor market by purchasing a tractor company called  Allgaier.

Say, have you ever been to the Combine Demolition Derby at Lind? Looks like fun.

Hey Dakotaman,
With all the rumors floating around, who's to say if any of the companies are truly safe. I myself would consider some of the lesser known makes.

Hey Woodbeef,
Which model White did you have and how was it?
I know of a couple Agco dealers who sold the rebadged SLH models and have since added Same, one as added Deutz-Fahr as well.

[Red_Painter]

I haven't been to the combine demolition derby, Kenjar. Even though it's only about 3 hours or so away, I don't venture very far anymore and things are too busy usually at home. I'm one of those who doesn't like to see combines banged up. I'd like to see some of those old machines fixed up for harvest demo's. I usually go throught there once a year on my way to my brother's place in Apple country and I stop at the IH dealer there. I've seen some of those combine's that are used in the derby sitting down the street. It might be interesting to check it out though.

[[e-mail]]

Porsche tractors are about 50 years old, but easy to find on shows here.
My dad uses a Ferrari, articulated tractor!!! Did you know about that?!?! Nice when a cousin comes to help my dad, he told the whole school he had driven a ferrari "cabrio"....

ferrari-tractors.com/80's.htm

[Woodbeef]

Hey Kenjar,

I had  two 6065s actually. Was not impressed with either really. The first one was replaced at under 200 hours with another one that was not any better. My local dealer had 6 of them to replace. None of them had the same problems.

[eppie]

Hey, people,

Has Antonio Carraro sold its compact tractor line to BCS (just as Ferrari did) and the regular 50-80 hp line to John Deere?? their axles are still used by Steyr, Zetor, NH Genesis, Renault and more.

(for Deeroids in the 'fase of denial': the JD 5000 series is a Carraro development with Deere engines. Production will be moved to Mannheim soon, as rumors go)

goed goan, Renze

[Woodbeef]

Hey Renze,

I have not heard anything about a sell off by Carraro. As far as I know they styill make tractors for Renault,and the Valtra 3000 series O&V tractors.

[eppie]

Youre right. I forgot about those Valtras.

BTW: do you know anything about a of 5020 series going to be produced in Mannheim? i heard something like that.

[kenjar]

Renze, I have not heard anything about the 5020 models being built at Mannheim. Are there any 5020 models sold in Europe? I haven't been on the Deere site in awhile and don't know what is offered over in your neck of the woods.

Didn't Carraro used to build tractors in the 140hp range? Why did they stop building tractors of this size?

[Woodbeef]

Hey Renze,

Yes, you're correct on the 5020 production being moved from Italy to inhouse in Germany. Never heard why though. Maybe they have some extra room there,or something?