TC40A...

[Haneyrm]

I maintain 56 acres in Middle Tennessee with a TC35DA. My farm is a 50/50 mix of open pasture land and woods. I have a few steep hills that can challenge the tractor when mowing with a 6' bush hog if not in low gear. As long as I keep it in low range and keep it "turtled" I have no issues. I usually just floor it and set the cruise control. I switch to turtle on the uphill section and rabbit on the downhill sections. I have owned both Kubota and NH. While the Kubota was a nice tractor, the NH has a much more friendly operator's platform and is infinitely more comfortable. I hated the location of the loader joystick on the Kubota. The reliability of the big four is pretty much the same. Buy what is most comfortable to you. I spend 8-10 hours at a time mowing and am thankful I bought the NH.

Mike

[jinman]

Originally Posted by CentralNC

I appreciate all of the advice and comments on the 40A. It does seem like a great tractor. I was comparing it with the Kubota Grand L Series (L3240) and noticed that the Kubota 3240 (32 HP) weighed only 100 lbs less and had a greater lift capacity at the 3 point hitch. The TC40A (2300 lbs) vs the L3240 (2650 lbs).

It seems that the TC35, TC40 and TC45 were all rated at 2330 lbs on the 3 point hitch. Is this lift capacity a function of hydraulic flow rate or HP?

Can you tell me where you got those Kubota specs? I looked at Kubota's site for the L-series and did not even see an L3240. However the L3440 listed had lift capacities 24" behind the hitch balls that were far less than the New Holland Class III Boomers. Also, the Boomers all weigh approximately 3200-3400 lb. Is the Kubota heavier?

I don't doubt your word at all, but I could not find the spec sheet to see if the comparison was possibly flawed by not having an apples to apples comparison. Kubota makes a great tractor; however, the numbers you mentioned for a 32 hp tractor seem extremely high. I cannot imagine that tractor having the ability to lift 2650# at 24" behind the balls. If so, it would be "Mighty Mouse" indeed.

[CentralNC]

I hope I am looking at the numbers correctly. On the Kubota website choose the L series tractors. The 3240 is one of the Grand L40 ROPS tractors. Once in that section look up the specifications options. I checked it again and it seemed to say 2650 lbs. It is also in their Grand L40 brochure.

Thanks again for all of the comments.

[b33b]

The NH comparison site also shows the L3240 with 2665 lift capacity 24" from the pins vs. 2330 for the 40DA.

[ustobefarmer]

I've had a TC40A for a little over 4 years. I've pu on about 100 hrs a year seeded new lawns and also some back filling. I like the shuttle shift and never got tired of the clutching. You will have to make your own decision on what you like. Good luck in your choice. Keep us posted

[jinman]

Originally Posted by CentralNC

I hope I am looking at the numbers correctly. On the Kubota website choose the L series tractors. The 3240 is one of the Grand L40 ROPS tractors. Once in that section look up the specifications options. I checked it again and it seemed to say 2650 lbs. It is also in their Grand L40 brochure.

Thanks again for all of the comments.

I did finally find the Kubota specs on the Kubota site, but it didn't shed a lot of light on several issues. That's okay, because the New Holland spec sheet is flawed on their site too.

You could just about find a weight for the NH from 2500 to 4100 lb, depending on where you look. The NH spec sheet says about 4000 lb for the tractor with tires/wheels. My owner's manual says 3484 and the comparison spec sheet says something like 2500 lb. Maybe the comparison number is without tires/wheels. A web developer without a lot of tractor knowledge probably built both these charts, so it's hard to figure what the deal is with the different numbers. I think a bare HST class III New Holland weighs about 3500 lb. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

The Kubota site says the Grand L40 ROPS tractor has a lift of 2650 lb a the "...L.P." What's the "L.P."? Is that "Lift Point"? Why don't they just say at the hitch balls? Do they possibly mean the point where the lift attaches to the lower arm? That would sure make a big difference in the numbers. Also the Kubota site does not list the hydraulic pressure, on the flow. The NH site says the two top Class III tractors have 2500 PSI, and the TC35 has about 200 lb less pressure due to a setting of the relief valve.

There is no doubt that the L32340 is a Mighty Mouse at the 3PH, but it's hard to interpret spec sheets when the same terminology and specs are not used. I wish all tractor manufacturers would quit trying to obfuscate the issues and just use the same numbers and terminology. I won't hold my breath.

[Todd_C]

I wish all tractor manufacturers would quit trying to obfuscate the issues and just use the same numbers and terminology. I won't hold my breath. [/quote]

I'm tired off all the tractor manufacturers manipulating data to sell tractors. I guess we are partially to blame, but it has gotten out of hand. I don't think there is enough variation in any of the 40hp compact tractors to make any difference in the real world. A 4,000lb machine is only going to lift so much. I've never been brand loyal. I've always purchased what I liked best and what seemed to be the best deal.

[Turbys_1700]

I've got the owners manual for my 1720. It states that the ship weight of my 1720 4WD is aounnd 2800#. The advertisement brouchere for Ford states the ship weight at around 2600#. Well that's not exact but from my foggy memory the difference was around 160# or so.

Until the manufacturers allow independent testing of their compacts to the Nebraska tests they will all play the numbers game. All we can do as consumers is read and compare and take all the numbers with a grain of salt.

[Ford850]

The nebraska tests don't solve the marketing spin, but they would be THE source for accurate information. When I researched the TC55 and DX55, the numbers varied drastically between spcs sheets, websites, and printed materials. I was lucky to find the 55's were in the Nebraska tests so I could go there for real numbers.

[mikim]

CNC - I agree with others here -- don't get all hung up on the spec sheets. Any of the tractors in the 40 - 45 hp range are going to be close enough in specs to not make any major diff. ... What you need to be considering are all the "extras" you want / need on it. I highly suggest at least 2 rear remotes, FEL of course(with quick attach bucket), 4wd, and whatever implements you will need the first 2 years. Wrap it all in the initial purchase. As for choosing which to go with ... sit on 'em, try 'em for fit, and go with what feels good.