cutamerc
New member
Good morning, and may I say, thank you in advance.
15 years ago we purchased a New Holland 3930 for our 375 acre Christmas tree farm. Since that time it has been used and abused daily, in terrible conditions, without single problem. We have expanded to a degree and recently began our search for a similar model to add to the farm. Unfortunately, things have really changed in the tractor market since that time; all these turbo engines, tier III/IV, hydrostatic transmissions, and everything has been put on a diet! In other words, we are lost.
What can we look at that would be similar to the 3930 in terms of weight and reliability. Our price range is between $20-30k out the door, and while that does not sound like much, the tractor will be a stripper four wheel drive model.
Desired configuration: FWD, ROPS, no FEL, no cab, less plastic, low center of gravity. As basic as can be with the most reliable transmission possible. We don't mind rowing gears at all. Only minimal hydraulics required.
Use: daily hard use on a 375 acre Christmas tree farm in western NC. Basically this means pulling heavy things up terribly steep grades on non-existent mud roads. Frequent starts from a standstill on the side our mountain, descending the mountain with a heavy trailer, driving sideways on the mountain, plowing on mountain, mowing on the mountain, trailers loaded with hundreds of trees up and down the mountain, bailing square bales of hay on the mountain, all while being driven by various workers and not necessarily myself. From late October to the end of November, it may be in use 18 hours at a time.
The 3930 has done this admirably and without complaint. We don't necessarily need more power, 50-75 hp will be fine. We do need low maintenance (these new diesels are alien technology), enough weight to hold the trailers back, and simplicity.
These new NH T4.75 seem so tall and precarious, our 3930 really sits between the wheels, which are bolted at max width at all times. Our local dealer has pointed us toward the Mahindra 5555, which seems to check the boxes as far as weight and low center of gravity. For reference, the 3930 is close to 6000 pounds I believe, we keep weights at both ends. We had never even considered a Mahindra, what is their status on the tractor totem poll? Reliability? Cost of ownership?
What else would everyone suggest we consider?
Thank you all kindly for your time, hope you have a great day.
15 years ago we purchased a New Holland 3930 for our 375 acre Christmas tree farm. Since that time it has been used and abused daily, in terrible conditions, without single problem. We have expanded to a degree and recently began our search for a similar model to add to the farm. Unfortunately, things have really changed in the tractor market since that time; all these turbo engines, tier III/IV, hydrostatic transmissions, and everything has been put on a diet! In other words, we are lost.
What can we look at that would be similar to the 3930 in terms of weight and reliability. Our price range is between $20-30k out the door, and while that does not sound like much, the tractor will be a stripper four wheel drive model.
Desired configuration: FWD, ROPS, no FEL, no cab, less plastic, low center of gravity. As basic as can be with the most reliable transmission possible. We don't mind rowing gears at all. Only minimal hydraulics required.
Use: daily hard use on a 375 acre Christmas tree farm in western NC. Basically this means pulling heavy things up terribly steep grades on non-existent mud roads. Frequent starts from a standstill on the side our mountain, descending the mountain with a heavy trailer, driving sideways on the mountain, plowing on mountain, mowing on the mountain, trailers loaded with hundreds of trees up and down the mountain, bailing square bales of hay on the mountain, all while being driven by various workers and not necessarily myself. From late October to the end of November, it may be in use 18 hours at a time.
The 3930 has done this admirably and without complaint. We don't necessarily need more power, 50-75 hp will be fine. We do need low maintenance (these new diesels are alien technology), enough weight to hold the trailers back, and simplicity.
These new NH T4.75 seem so tall and precarious, our 3930 really sits between the wheels, which are bolted at max width at all times. Our local dealer has pointed us toward the Mahindra 5555, which seems to check the boxes as far as weight and low center of gravity. For reference, the 3930 is close to 6000 pounds I believe, we keep weights at both ends. We had never even considered a Mahindra, what is their status on the tractor totem poll? Reliability? Cost of ownership?
What else would everyone suggest we consider?
Thank you all kindly for your time, hope you have a great day.
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