Flordia Gray Dealers?

[FlCountryBoy]

I'd like to look at some gray tractors in my home state. It seems most dealers are in the West or the Mid-West. Maybe there's a good dealer that I'm over looking. It's not that I don't trust the dealers you guys recomend but I'd like to set on and try the tractor out before I buy. I've done a google search and came up with nothing. I've read and agree that dealer support is imporant and while I can do a lot of maintance it would be nice to have a good dealer some what local.

Dave

[FlCountryBoy]

I posted this to the wrong thread last night, :bonk: could one of the moderators move it to the gray thread?

:thanku:

Dave

[mark777]

Dave,

Sorry, I've made several attemps to locate grey market dealers in Florida and never quite get there.

Seems like local (Florida) grey market tractor searches would reveal something...but I dunno. At least a local dealer could provide you with something to test drive, set on and become familiar with. Even refurbished imported models would get you acquainted with some model you like.

The biggest (and closest) dealer is Fredericks in AL (I think). Those are UTDA.

Good luck and please keep us informed of who, what, where you find someting. And if it's a dealer YOU find honest with a decent inventory I'd like to add them to the list!

Mark

[souNdguy]

There is a dealer called 'duggan equipment' on north 441 in marion county ( ocala area ) that usually has some grey market items on his lot.

Call him first to see what he has available.

352-840-0200


Also.. On up the road more north on 301 is a place called lazenby's.. it's almost to starke florida.. They usually have lots of yanmar.. I drove by their this weekend on a way to a show.

904-964-4238


Soundguy

[LMTC]

Soundguy,
What little I've seen of Duggan's used tractors advertised it would appear to be a very small sideline for them, perhaps even just incidental. No ROPS in pics I've seen, certainly not a UTDA member. Do they even offer parts inventory, parts books, parts catalog, etc. for grey Yanmar customers?

Are you sure Lazenby still has grey Yanmars on the lot? I know they used to sell them, but supposedly he gave that up to take on the new Cub line manufactured by Yanmar (contract tractor).

FlCountryBoy
I completely understand wanting to sit on a given model, just for size and comfort if nothing else. Perhaps search forums for owners within an hour or so of you and perhaps ask about looking at their tractor. Fitting a customer to a tractor they've never been up close and personal with is an artform if done properly, a potential disaster if not done well. We do it, and have so far done it pretty well, but most of our customers tell us we spend way, way more time with them than other dealers/sellers they shop. Even so, I still prefer it if the customer has at least seen the model.

With that said, I would suggest that between us and Mark we could do a pretty good job of recommending a model or two if we knew your intended uses, your required uses (including implements you must use and their sizes), your terrain, and your own basic dimensions. At some point in a remote sale I always ask a customer their height and weight, and if over 6', their inseam--long legs limit the models that will be comfortable. I don't know of anyone else who goes to this trouble. I would also suggest that we can ship you a unit (processed in the US to our standards) from one of a couple outlets in the South at a competitive price. Again, I agree with looking locally, but a distant source that is good quality to start with is better than a local source that won't answer your questions when you have a problem. If you care to email us, we can email you references, including some in the south to whom we have delivered.

[FlCountryBoy]

Thanks every body. I'm more at the kicking the tires stage than going to buy stage. LMTC, I'll keep you in mine when it comes closer to buying. From what I've read you'll are one of the good ones. I've read and learned a lot from this forum and will continue to do so. From what you said, it seems you do go the extra mile. I'm a big guy and as much as it works for the circus, the bear on the tricycle look isn't something I'm going for.

I know most of folks who have grays do their own work but how easy is it to get a local or diesel mechanic to work on these tractors? I have some health problems that may worsen and I'm not sure if I would be physically able to do the heavy lifting any more. The price on the grays is attractive and I think they would meet my needs. I'm looking at a tractor that I could move dirt with for a home site and garage. It would also be used to grade a shell road and prepare a site for a small garden. Of course this being Florida, there are always dead trees and debris to pick up or pull down. I know I want a FEL and a back hoe would be handy to have. Yeah for not having to dig with a shovel. I would also think I need a box blade. As for the garden I consider just buying a stand alone tiller, in fact there is an old one of my dads in the shed, I'm going to get it out some day and see what it would take to get it running. Since I won't use all of these every day, I'd like to go used and here in Florida it always seem that some one is selling something. The biggest negative in my mind is the lack of a local dealer support. As I say I've got time and since it is to me a lot of money and probably a one time purchase, I want to get it right. I'm the type of guy who takes a year to buy a new truck and drives everybody nuts with all the research than keep the truck for over 10 years after purchase.

Dave

[mark777]

...

I know most of folks who have grays do their own work but how easy is it to get a local or diesel mechanic to work on these tractors?....

I know I want a FEL

....back hoe would be handy to have. Yeah for not having to dig with a shovel. I would also think I need a box blade.

The biggest negative in my mind is the lack of a local dealer support.

Dave

Any independent shop that you can provide the parts for will work on your tractor.

A FEL is a miracle attachment...and one everybody should have!

A back hoe can be a tractor 'breaker' if it's not equipped with the appropriate sub frame for increased strength and lateral stresses put on a SCUT or CUT.

Support for a gray market tractor can be a big problem unless you choose a well supported model. Yanmar is the best supported to my knowledge. The grey market Yamars that are currently imported from good dealers are ALSO the best supported parts wise.

Mark