Value of test-driving before purchase

['Guest']

I was wondering how much value you guys put in test driving a tractor ets. before purchase.
With machinery being more and more expensive the dealer keeps less and less stuff in stock so it might be hard to get to test the machine you're interested in.

Our last purchase we took the machine for a very short trip around the dealers back yard. The desicion on wich tractor to buy had nothing to do with our testing, just hard economics (got a great deal on green, Woodbeef. I can hear you cry...).

I can surely see the Value of testing if a new, much larger tractor will pull a certain implement on your particular soil, but when replacing a similar hp machine i can think of few suprises from a testdrive that not a "test-sit" and the dealer (and of coures independent testing through Profi etc.) will inform you about.

['Guest']

We wont by anything unless its been in th efield infront of the kit that it has got to pull on a daily basis. then once its here the dealer has got to leave it for at least a day. otherwise we wont even consider it.
luckily most uk dealers will do it for the sale as they understand that the amount of money your blowing has got to be justified.

cant put a value on testing a machine

[Woodbeef]

Aye Crumba you mean that you have to test drive before you lay down your $$$$. What kind of a pinko plot is this??

But seriously,it is the only way to go!! The more time you can spend in a tractor the more you'll get to find if it really fits you or not. Luckily over here dealers will usually send you a tractor for a week or so to see if you like it or not. The biggest thing I find is to just drive it,as much as possible. Sometimes it takes hours behind the wheel for incompatability problems to surface.

Nowadays when I'm looking for a new vehicle I'll rent one for a weekend to see if I like it or not.

Hey Laapa,where should I send the flowers to?  What did you get? You must have a dealing dealer compared to Matts!

['Guest']

Hey Woodbeef
Got a Demo-ed (brings down the price rather nicely) 7710 w. front 3pthitch and sprung front axle (TLS).
Any word on what Matts decided yet?

I've noticed front 3pt is unusuall th theUS. Is available as an option over there at all?

[Woodbeef]

Ahh......now I see the method to your maddness!! Getting a demo is a good catch. Besides the lower price any of the gremlins should be worked out of it. I take it was considerably lower priced vs.a new one? The front hitch and TLS should be a bonus too!

No word yet from Matts. Last I heard he went back to his Deere dealer and told them if they wanted the deal,better be sharpening their pencils. He told them he would go elsewhere for that much $$$ difference(I do not blame him one bit on that one)!!

Front 3pth has never really caught on here. Zuidberg sells them along with Valtra, Case, J/D,and Fendt. There are a few of the Deutz tractors with them around also. Not much equipment available for them though. I think we are missing the boat myself by not using the front acrutements over here!