Armatrac

[hendrebc]

Could be persuaded to change my loader tractor over the next few years (maybe. Maybe not its still just an idea at the moment). Was thinking second hand like everything else here seeing as everything is so damned expensive new
Just seen this article in the farmers weekly. They seem like they would make a pretty good livestock farm loader tractor some well known names on the parts list. List price with a loader is £36k apparently. Still more than id like to spend but it might be better than buying what might be someone elses problems and I would have it a long time. The rest of the tractor makes are at least £10k or even £20k more according to a little chart at the end of the article which would suit me more than a fancy name on the bonnet or maybe nicer plastic in the cab. Anyone have any experience of them?
No badge snob comments please I'll never be able to afford a fendt

 

[Cowabunga]

Make sure you get an actual quote from more established brands. You may be surprised at how close to their selling price the big brands can be, like for like.

Noted in the above picture they mention Perkins engines and then, rightly, mention at the top of the blue highlighted section, and at the very bottom, that the Perkins is in fact an FPT clone. I thought that I was the only one who knew that.

 

[Thomas5060]

Seen one with a loader at the Highland show, just something about it didn’t seem ‘right’ and in the the cab didn’t feel ‘right’
Would rather spend the money on this tbh

 

[hendrebc]

Make sure you get an actual quote from more established brands. You may be surprised at how close to their selling price the big brands can be, like for like.

Noted in the above picture they mention Perkins engines and then, rightly, mention at the very bottom that the Perkins is in fact an FPT clone. I thought that I was the only one who knew that.

Yes that's true. A mate who buys new regularly says you can sometimes knock 30% off the list price
Which seems stupid to me. Just tell me what the bloody price is

 

[hendrebc]

Seen one with a loader at the Highland show, just something about it didn’t seem ‘right’ and in the the cab didn’t feel ‘right’
Would rather spend the money on this tbh
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I get what you mean even though I've never actually seen one. A few of the cheaper things I've seen are the same. It would depend what is about and what's available at the time. It's still only an idea at the moment and probably will be for some time.

 

[RhysT]

We bought a 9yr old Massey 5455 last year. Done about 1200hrs and about 1000miles
Really pleased with it. Saying that it’s about to have major front axle surgery. Believed to have driven loader work on yard with 4wd engaged full time
Been very pleased with it. Ideal loader tractor. Weve also got a 390t but no where near as comfertable as the 5455.
Id always stick to known brands!
We could have bought 2 5455’s for the price of a new Massey though!!

 

[hendrebc]

We bought a 9yr old Massey 5455 last year. Done about 1200hrs and about 1000miles
Really pleased with it. Saying that it’s about to have major front axle surgery. Believed to have driven loader work on yard with 4wd engaged full time
Been very pleased with it. Ideal loader tractor. Weve also got a 390t but no where near as comfertable as the 5455.
Id always stick to known brands!
We could have bought 2 5455’s for the price of a new Massey though!!

That sounds like a good buy. We almost bought one of those new about 10 years ago but decided the money was better spent elsewhere at the time.

 

[RhysT]

That sounds like a good buy. We almost bought one of those new about 10 years ago but decided the money was better spent elsewhere at the time.

Yes been very pleased with it. Furthest it’s been is about 45 miles away from home. Suited us better to have a few loader tractors than relying on one new one.
Plus depreciation that’s talked on here for new ones makes me think we don’t earn enough to warrent running a new one!!

 

[hendrebc]

Yes been very pleased with it. Furthest it’s been is about 45 miles away from home. Suited us better to have a few loader tractors than relying on one new one.
Plus depreciation that’s talked on here for new ones makes me think we don’t earn enough to warrent running a new one!!

Yes we are probably the same here i don't think we can really justify a new tractor tbh. But at this price the armatrac is tempting.
What's more likely to happen is I keep my old case with a loader and buy something else old and we'll depreciated and run both. 2 tractors would last for a very long time doing what I expect them to do here.
Saying all that. Does depreciation really matter if you buy something with no intention of selling it?

 

[RhysT]

Valid point. You then have to value reliability, ease of repair, and availability of parts for future breakdowns.

 

[BBC]

If you are planning on keeping the tractor a long time, what about dealer support and parts availability in the future. With the big brands you can be confident they and their local dealer will still be there for you if you have a problem in 5, 6 or 7 years time. Will Armatrac or their local dealer?

 

[hendrebc]

That would be one of the biggest things I'd worry about I bet as a tractor it should be fine. Engine and gearbox parts and everything else from the well known brands should be easy enough to find?
That's one good thing about my old case I'll be able to get parts for that forever. If I bought another older tractor to run with it it would probably be another main brand so parts wouldn't be a problem for that either.