power vs. $ vs. brand

[kozak]

Originally Posted by sodbuster3

Hi Everyone

I've lurked here for a long time but signed in as I hope to get some info from the wide experience and knowledge that is obviously here.

Situation: southern Ontario, Niagara pennisula, fruit and nut trees, grape vines and an expanding vegetable garden.

Need to:
1) Mow and bag say 5 acres including around trees and some vines on gentle slopes and flat areas.
2) till the fairly tough soil for the garden areas each Spring.
3) a shallow till near the vines and some trees from time to time.
4) possible light use of a rear blade.

Apparent choices;
1) Kubota BX1850, or maybe BX2350 for about $2000 more.

The BX series IMO would be too small. 5 acres is alot of cutting. Need a min 60" cut or you'll be out there all day.

2) 1 year off rental NH TZ25 with 200 hours but with warranty for about the same price as the BX2350.

Again, although capable enough the TZ series is sub-compact & too small IMO. If these sub-compacts came in larger wheel sizes might be worth considering.

3) Other suggestons. Also, there are used BX15s and TC30s around.

TC30 is a nice Utility tractor. However, having no experience with what is required for Maintenance around grape vines, not sure if you will be doing alot of close quarters work and/or alot of forward & reverse maneuvers. If so, you can't beat a hydrostat for this type of work. With a gear tractor, you will continually be clutching & shifting. Obviously the BX15 is out of the running.

Both of those dealers appear to be decent people although the Kubota dealer (Berg in Wainfleet) is larger and seems more established.

Dealer is one of the most important considerations. I ended up going Blue due to the bad vibe I got with the Kubota Dealership in my area.

JD dealers are definitely further away. There is a Kioti dealer not far away but I am not familiar with their machines. CaseIH dealer is closest of all but I get a bad vibe from them. My mind remains open.

I would believe all of these makes would be a good choice.

Questions:
1) Would the difference in horsepower be that noticeable?

Not with 3 to 5 HP. However, with 7 to 10 HP it would be as you are normally going up a Tractor Class size so getting larger, heavier Tractor with more lifting capabilities, etc.

1b) Any meaningful difference in fuel efficiency?

A SCUT will obviously have less fuel consumption than a CUT mainly due to weight. But even CUT's have incredibley low fuel consumption. Your savings in time for cutting 5 acres with a CUT would outweigh the savings in fuel using a SCUT. (My .02)

2) Talk seems to be is that Kubota breaks down less often especially when compared to NH. True?

I have never heard of that although it may have been mentioned in Kubota forum from time to time. I have heard through word of mouth only that Kubota's do have a great reliability track record. On the other hand, I have had zero mechanical difficulties with my NH. A few minor electrical problems (fuse & glow plug relay) that was diagnosed on the NH forum that I was able to fix myself. I don't think you can go wrong with either make.

3) Is NH's Sensitrak a significant advantage?

Yes depending upon the task you will be doing. The Sensitrak feature gives you automatic engagement / disengagement of 4 WD. I have never put my Tractor in MFWD as I have never got stuck. But the nicer feature of the Sensitrak is the incredible 75 degree turning radius (compared to 54 degrees without Supersteer.) Again, if you will be working in tight corners, this feature will allow you to get a larger more capable tractor & be able to maneuver like a smaller tractor. Expensive option to be sure but what an incredible tight turning radius. Must be experienced to be appreciated.

4) Does anyone have any experience with the dealers in the area? Sorry

5) Any other relevant issue not mentioned here.

I am obviously pre-disposed towards Blue. However, I do believe that NH tractors are hard to beat from an ergonomics standpoint. The Operator platform is normally larger & more spacious making it easier to get on & off. Also the sloped hood on the NH makes the forward visibilty second to none on the market. Kubota & JD are slowly catching up but for most of their models their slope is almost non-existent.
Switching from low range to high range on the NH can be done by a flip of a switch. The lighting package is also better giving both side & forward lighting.

ANY comment (even a bad joke) is appreciated ! thanks in advance!

Not sure if you will be using this tractor for snow removal. We sure did get alot of it this winter. Going with a tractor with larger wheels & having more weight will go a long way from getting STUCK !! You have mentioned a rear blade. Of course you should also consider a FEL. I know you probably don't want to cut grass with a FEL on. However, they are fairly easy to remove & once you have done it a few times it becomes easy.

As someone else mentioned, the B2620 would be a nice size to get. (Not too big, not too small). Comparatively, the NH TC26DA would also be nice.


Good Luck & Have Fun Hunting.


Vic

[daTeacha]

I am not too familiar with the machines you have mentioned, but I noticed no mention of the transmission or the brake system.

With a manual transmission and the proper tractor, you can use the individual rear brakes to turn very sharply in 2 wheel drive. By locking a brake, you can pivot on one rear wheel. I don't know if this is important to you or not, but it's basically not something most hst machines will allow easily.

Are you going to be mowing under the branches of the orchard, or just between the rows? Have you considered an offset trail mower for the areas under the trees?

[Egon]

I'd go with a kubota B7800 or the equivalent in John Deere.

Of course a ford 8N should satisfy all your need at a much lower cost and perhaps outlast the other mentioned tractors.

[sodbuster3]

Ok, the weight of opinion here has convinced me to give the larger wheeled units such as the B2320 and other brand equivalents a closer look. Budget is an issue but we'll see what comes up. Otherwise, something smaller will have to do. Has to be hydrostatic transmission one way or another.

thanks to all!

[Barneyhunts]

Sodbuster,

[Barneyhunts]

Sodbuster,
I own a B7800 and a BX2200. We mow about 3 acres of lawn with the BX with a 60" mmm. Takes about 2 hours with some manuvering around garden , fruit trees, flower beds, etc. The BX with mower is suprisingly manuverable!My wife does most of the mowing and thinks the BX is more comfortable than the B7800 (has R1 / ag tires). We have a Woods tiller for the BX and it works well, except, where there are lots of rocks. The BX also handles snow removal with a front mounted snowblower or front mounted plow. It is a great work horse.
I use the B7800 for brush cuttting, plowing, discing, planting , etc, and the FEL for moving things around. It is also a great working machine. Good luck in your search.