Low-Cost Used Tractors From Japan

Low-Cost Used Tractors From Japan TRACTORS New Tractors 29-5-34 FARM SHOW recently spotted an ad in a farm publication that read: "Compact Estate And Small Acreage Tractors - Seven Makes Of Diesel Tractors From Japan". The ad was placed by MO River Tire Co., Boonville, Mo. They sell used 2 and 4-WD Japanese tractors ranging from 18 to 52 hp, with 50 to 1,000 hours on them. The makes available include Iseki, Yanmar, Mitsubishi, Shabiro, Hinnomoto, and Satoh. The used tractors come with no warranty. "We've been doing a booming business for the past several years," says manager Dennis Ficken. "These tractors are very affordable and are in good mechanical condition. A lot of them are lower hour models, and were used for tillage work in rice paddies. They call them ægray market' tractors because new Japanese-made tractors can not be sold in the U.S. The same companies that build these models build compact tractors for U.S. tractor manufacturers, including Deere, Massey Ferguson, and Case IH. They don't want the Japanese to sell new tractors in the U.S. because they don't want the competition." According to Ficken, used Japanese-made tractors sell for about 50 percent less than similar used Deere, Kubota, and New Holland tractors. "Our market is people who don't put more than 50 hours a year on their tractors. They want a tractor to move horse manure, snowplow their driveway, drill a few fence posts, etc. These tractors don't have power steering, but often they still handle better than a riding mower. The biggest disadvantage is that they don't have all the safety specs required in the U.S." According to Ficken, Japanese farmers who buy a new tractor don't have to pay any property tax until the fifth or sixth year. After that, the tax gets progressively higher every year. "The tax progresses to the point where it's cheaper for farmers to trade off their tractors than to keep them. That's why there are so many good used ones available." Ficken says they keep some parts on hand, and parts are also available from other U.S. companies. "If we don't have the part you need, we can order parts directly from Japan," notes Ficken. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dennis Ficken, MO River Tire Co., I-70 exit 111 (Hwy. 179), Boonville, Mo. 65233 (ph 660 882-8473; denficken@socket.com).

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