I went through a similar process this last summer. I was looking for a FWD 30 hp (with hydro and loader) compact from the Big Three. I looked at the JD 4300, NH TC 33D, and Kubota L3010. The Kubota B series seemed a bit too small and light and would not easily support my future sub-frame backhoe desire. In my area the pricing for JD, NH, and Kub. is very similar. I only live about 15 miles from New Holland, PA. NH has a strong market presence and great resale value in my area. What I am trying to say is that all tractors started even, as price and resale value were very similar.
The JD had the best loader and backhoe attachment and the best on-paper specs, however, it was my least favorite. The engine was noisy and vibrated a lot. The control layout was the least convenient for me. The hydro petals were awful and the transmission was not much better. The petal pressure was beyond excessive and the transmission was jerky. The JD dealer was slick, arrogant, aggressive, and borderline misleading. JD was out for me.
The NH was the most user-friendly and comfortable for me. Visibility and control layout were great. The loader joystick was in the perfect spot for me. The engine was the most quiet and vibration free. The hydro was smooth and easy to use. The loader on-paper specs were on the “weak” side. The dealer was helpful, friendly, and seemed service oriented.
The Kubota was a larger tractor than the rest. It felt very substantial and more tractor-like than the rest. It was very square, with a steel hood and fenders. The engine was smooth and quiet. The hydro was the most smooth, but the petal was not quite right for me. The controls were better than JD, but not as good as NH. Visibility was not as good as the other two. The dealer was very agreeable and accommodating.
In the end, I bought a NH TC 29D. It was in stock and I got a substantial savings over the 33. I think JD has a solid product that needs significant refining. Much of this is likely to be addressed in the new 4X10 series. JD seems to be the most aggressively marketed with the best on-paper specs. I found NH to be the most comfortable and well-engineered tractor for me. In the real world, the “weak” loader has not been an issue for me. With CaCl-filled tires and 350-pound blade on the back, the loader has begun to lift the rear of the tractor on multiple occasions. I really like the NH (30 hours so far) and have no regrets in buying it. The Kubota was clearly a strong tractor, but not quite what I was looking for. The physical size and lower visibility were drawbacks for a greenhorn like me.