In our last issue, we shared news about Woods Equipment’s partnership with Cabela’s to sell the company’s tractor attachments through test markets. Cabela’s is also just now introducing its own brand of tractors through similar tests. We followed up with Cabela’s to learn more about their tractors.

“They are part of our new wildlife and land management product line. A lot of our customers are land owners and land stewards. We offer products like food plot seeders, game cameras and UTVs and felt like we needed to expand on our product line,” says Nathan Borowski, Cabela’s communications specialist. “We want to provide our customers a one-stop shop for all their land management needs.”

The tractors were introduced in early August in the test markets of Sidney, Neb.; Allen and Fort Worth, Texas; Rogers, Ark.; Gonzales, La.; East Hartford, Conn.; and Rogers, Minn. The speculation is that the tractors are from a Chinese manufacturer, but Borowski says: “As for who manufactures the tractors, we have not released that information at this time. However, they are produced in state-of-the-art facilities under the most stringent qualities standards and carry the Cabela's name.”

The models offered include open station or enclosed cab. There are 6 open station models that range from 35-50 horsepower with either a hydrostatic or fully synchronized transmission. The enclosed cab models are offered in 43 or 50 horsepower with hydrostat transmission. All models are four wheel drive and have a power take-off and category-1 hitch.

Borowski wasn’t able to comment on how long the testing phase would last, other than to share this: “Our goal is to provide for our customers and offer whatever they need for their wildlife and land management needs.”

We’ve talked often here in and in our magazine about big box competitors. They’re not new and they’re only getting bigger. You tell us that you’re coping just fine. In fact, competition from big box stores ranked number 8 in most pressing concerns, according to our 2013 Dealer Business Trends & Outlook survey.

Let’s keep it that way. We’ll do our part to keep you informed about who is offering what, what’s new, and provide ideas for growing your dealership. And, we’ll continue our promise to report from the field, bringing back the best ideas from dealers themselves. Let’s kick it off by meeting up at the Green Industry and Equipment Expo, October 23-25, Louisville, Ky. We’ll have a team there reporting on the new products and look forward to a chance to meet many of you in person.

See you there.