Last winter I spent a lot of time on this website and got an incredible amout of information that helped me with my tractor purchase. I thought I'd report back after about 100 hours. I wound up getting a NH TC33D with Heavy Duty bucket for $17K last April. So far the size seams perfect for my 11 acres. With the hills I have, I sure wouldn't want a smaller engine. It was almost a year old on the lot (4 hours on meter) and they gave me super steer for "free" if I took this one instead of ordering one. The super steer has proved very useful manuevering the tractor inside our horse barn. I got industrial tires, sun roof ($300) and tooth bar ($300 installed). I also got a 5' NewHolland Rotary Cutter and and a 6' RDTH72 rear discharge Bush Hog finish mower. So far I've been very happy with it. The only problems were the fuel gauge failed and I ran out of fuel. I think it was the Sending Unit they replaced to make the fuel gauge read accurately again. Running out of fuel was a much bigger pain than I imagined. There wasn't even enough battery capacity to crank the engine enough to prime the fuel system. I gave up with a dead battery. I'm emabarassed to say the dealer had to come out with a larger battery and prime the sytem for me. The other porblem was clearing lots of stcker bushes led to 2 flat front tires. I put in some permanent sealant and have never had a problem again with the front tires.
I ended up using a 9" PHD from TSC on sale for $300 to do 200 post holes without a problem - other than busted shear bolts. Also it was impossible to dig holes during the dry summer - the auger would spin like a top on parched earth that it had sliced through like butter in the spring.
Never broke a shear bolt on the "light duty" rottary cutter even though I ran over some big rocks that dented the deck.
I even got the nerve to finally mow a 24 degree slope by backing up it. It worked out fine, certainly I never went sideways. I have a tilt meter on on my tractor that I learned about on this site and that has been very useful. Not only for safety but when using the auger I could do a quick check. I found my holes were straight enough if I was within 3 degrees or so of level.
The sun roof is great and makes a big difference if you don't like the sun beating on you. A single rear work light gave plenty of light for rear work at night.
The loader was put to use making a gravel drive, carrying 16' fence boards and even digging a level play area into a slight hillside using the tooth bar. By the way the tooth bar was critial to support the 16' fence boards I'd haul around by laying them across the bucket. I used the FEL for plowing this winter and its OK since we don't have lots of road. I have to think if you got a lot of plowing, a blade would be worth having. I found plowing with the FEl a bit of a pain but maybe its my inexperience.
I chose the New Holland because it seemed more comfortable for me and had, what seemed to me, nicer amenities. I haven't been disappointed and still look forward to getting in the seat whenever possible.
I ended up using a 9" PHD from TSC on sale for $300 to do 200 post holes without a problem - other than busted shear bolts. Also it was impossible to dig holes during the dry summer - the auger would spin like a top on parched earth that it had sliced through like butter in the spring.
Never broke a shear bolt on the "light duty" rottary cutter even though I ran over some big rocks that dented the deck.
I even got the nerve to finally mow a 24 degree slope by backing up it. It worked out fine, certainly I never went sideways. I have a tilt meter on on my tractor that I learned about on this site and that has been very useful. Not only for safety but when using the auger I could do a quick check. I found my holes were straight enough if I was within 3 degrees or so of level.
The sun roof is great and makes a big difference if you don't like the sun beating on you. A single rear work light gave plenty of light for rear work at night.
The loader was put to use making a gravel drive, carrying 16' fence boards and even digging a level play area into a slight hillside using the tooth bar. By the way the tooth bar was critial to support the 16' fence boards I'd haul around by laying them across the bucket. I used the FEL for plowing this winter and its OK since we don't have lots of road. I have to think if you got a lot of plowing, a blade would be worth having. I found plowing with the FEl a bit of a pain but maybe its my inexperience.
I chose the New Holland because it seemed more comfortable for me and had, what seemed to me, nicer amenities. I haven't been disappointed and still look forward to getting in the seat whenever possible.