Machinery dealers/manufactures, have they lost touch with farming reality?

[An Gof]

Had a call from a machinery manufacturers rep suggesting that it might be a really good time to change my machine (telehandler).
I explained that it was not on my “to do” list but that if the deal was right I might be persuaded.
so the dealer rep turns up and we go through the process. I’m expecting a deal that is too good to refuse .......... well that was a mistake
My machine has just turned 4 years old and has only done just over 1700 hours. Cost to change quoted at £35.5k
What the manufacturer doesn’t realise is the damage this has done to my thoughts about the dealer and manufacturer.
So that’s a cost to change of almost £21/hr.
Do other forum members think that is reasonable or unaffordable? It is certainly far more than I expected.
Current machine will be staying with me for a good few years yet now

 

[Chae1]

We normally change our handler for under £10/hour. We are doing around 1500 hours per year though. Change every 2 years when tyres worn out and warranty finished. That's manitous, current machine 737.

 

[An Gof]

Perhaps we need your dealer down here because I’m thinking the one quoting me is trying to fleece me

 

[An Gof]

Be interested in any other current figures people have of changing telehandlers on a like for like basis on a cost per hour basis.
I still haven’t recovered from the shock

 

[daveydiesel1]

Na thats too high. Id keep her as cost per hour will come down

 

[Andrew]

£8.40/hr. (At 7 years 9000 hrs)

 

[mf7480]

JCB TM320S, 35k to change at 4 year old with 5000 hours, bald tyres.

 

[Shropshire Farmer]

I’d be expecting around the £10 hour.

 

[Against_the_grain]

Na thats too high. Id keep her as cost per hour will come down

Cost per hour might come down but cost to change is only going one way and that could be a real burden on cash in the future. Certainly no easy answer

 

[manfromhill]

Have changed recently but can’t help as to prices as we couldn’t get same model had to be bigger and bigger spec but was far mire than I was expected went elsewhere

 

[manfromhill]

On another note are they on to teir 5 engines yet

 

[B R C]

If you are only doing 400hrs a year it is going to cost a lot to change after 4 years isn’t it? I’m wondering how changing such a machine can stack up as a business decision?

 

[alan6430]

This is making me feel a lot better because I thought that my new handler is costing to much but it’s actually costing £6.30 per hour.

 

[RmfJ]

JCB TM320S, 35k to change at 4 year old with 5000 hours, bald tyres.

Sounds like a good deal. Wanted 37k to change our 3yr Manitou 629 last year 2750hrs.

 

[tr250]

We normally change our handler for under £10/hour. We are doing around 1500 hours per year though. Change every 2 years when tyres worn out and warranty finished. That's manitous, current machine 737.

We do roughly the same 3000 hrs and change ours is a 635 but we’re nearer £12/ hour with last machine! How do you work it out I just do cost to change divided by 3000 hrs so it’s always in Warranty so we have to service and fuel it

 

[manfromhill]

If you are only doing 400hrs a year it is going to cost a lot to change after 4 years isn’t it? I’m wondering how changing such a machine can stack up as a business decision?

Could be financed over the four years with warranty only have to service once yearly

 

[startinghandle]

We had 3 handlers over the years all were well used when bought , but didn't cost much. If we were still farming a new Chinese handler would now be parked in shed bought direct from manufacturer

 

[Spud]

2005 JCB TM300 with 11800hrs swapped for new TM320s last summer for £4.98/hr.
Depreciation on the same machine was £2.70/hr

 

[An Gof]

If you are only doing 400hrs a year it is going to cost a lot to change after 4 years isn’t it? I’m wondering how changing such a machine can stack up as a business decision?

It doesn’t stack up at the quoted price.

 

[homefarm]

It doesn’t stack up at the quoted price.

40% off from capital allowance would help but as the subs disappear the likely hood of paying higher rate tax is disappearing too.
This is where the trade need a wake up call.