Buying Advice Advice for a novice

[Doc_Bob]

The NH TN70A is priced at $29,000 off the lot w/ 20hrs. and was used in a demo. That's cheaper than a TN60A! As a refresher: the TC55DA w/ 18LA FEL is $26,500.


I'm really liking the TN70A. It's a big beefy machine. I personally don't think it's too big, certainly not too much bigger than the TC55DA but the misses seems to think it's too big for our needs. And I think the price is pretty darn good. Any thoughts?
Fred

The TN70A has a power shuttle? 20 hours? Same as new!
Wonderful machine.
Bob

 

[hambaloney]

The TN70A has a power shuttle? 20 hours? Same as new!
Wonderful machine.
Bob

Sadly, not power shuttle. It is a FWD machine though.

I'd like to take the Power Shuttle for a spin, I'll see if I can manage that. And possibly with a loader on.

Thanks!

 

[Z-Michigan]

I enjoyed the JD's, in particular the 5105. It's a little basic compared to the others, but it really felt like a stout machine. I like the way the gear shifting is configured on it as well.

The Kubotas are very well built machines but the L3830 felt really tiny. I like the M5040 particularly the hydraulic shuttle. Very cool for loader work.

I've narrowed my search to pretty much these two, and I agree with your comments: the 5105 seems like a really strongly built machine, while the M5040 has more features and is generally well polished. I'm still debating. You will find two very useful threads in the general buying/pricing forums, a recent one on 5105 vs. 5040, and one a few weeks old that I started "what tractor for 20 acre horse farm in Michigan" which has a lot of similar info.

I'm concerned about the various QuickAttach systems these tractors use. The John Deere's use a bar and pin type system, seems to only work with JD attachments. Kubota uses the skidsteer style system. And the new NH loaders use some european style system that is incompatible with skidsteer. I realize it's great for business to use proprietary mounts but what a pain.

The skidsteer style system is by far the most common and is easy to use. I don't think it is 100% secure, and if you look on the Kubota owning/operating forum you'll see two people who've had trouble with it (albeit on large farm tractors). Obviously it is secure enough that most people don't have problems with it. I think it will be easiest by far to find various attachments for the skidsteer system.

The JD system is, IMHO, equally easy to use, but it is proprietary to JD. Some aftermarket companies will make their buckets/attachments to fit it, others won't. There is a basic selection of stuff from JD. The one thing I see as a big advantage to the JD system is security - because it uses simple pins that get locked in place with circular clips, it is less likely to be loose without noticing or to loosen itself in use. So you aren't likely to have a bucket come off at one side and bend your loader into a pretzel. Not saying that happens much with the skidsteer system, but it appears to be possible (again from the Kubota forum).

I would avoid any quick-tach system other than these two, personally. Too exotic and too few options to fit it.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Sadly, not power shuttle. It is a FWD machine though.

I'd like to take the Power Shuttle for a spin, I'll see if I can manage that. And possibly with a loader on.

Thanks!

Try PS with a FEL. You will like it.
Bob

 

[CJ4]

Hambaloney,

Here's my input......If you're going to be doing the majority of your work on roads, paddocks, smaller areas, the TC55DA would be my choice.....I'm predudice because i own one.....I hear they're coming out with cabs later this year and i would really love to see you get one of those!! The pricing you had on the 55 with the backhoe was an extremely good deal....i purchased a backhoe for mine and wonder how i made it without it. I'm sure if your going to do alot of open field farming type work the 70 tractor would be your choice but it really doesn't sound like it to me. As far as gear vs. hydro it's personal preference.....My 55DA has EHSS and when you learn to use it correct you won't use the clutch alot.....(excuse me, inching pedal). I personally drove the hydro in the 45DA and my foot and leg didn't like it.....again, personal preference.......I really think the suggestions of trying the 70 with a loader on it in the tighter areas would be highly advisable. I can't say that I wouldn't try a TN60 but I just don't think for an all around tractor in most all around utility uses you can really beat the TC55DA. The only problem you will have is getting your wife off of it!!!!

 

[SOS]

120 acers! I'm a novice and just bought a NH 45a and love it on my 13 acers but with your size of lot, I would go with more HP. My father has about 280 hilly acers and recently bought his second tractor in 25 years... he went with a 65 or 70 hp tractor because of the ware just in dragging, digging, and carrying. He's not a farmer but does a lot of tinkering, road, ditch, and trail work and clearing the woods back as it trys to reclaim his property.

You may not need to go as high HP as he did as he expects the tractor to knock down trees, pull up monster stumps and the like -- his first tractor lasted 20 plus years and he's 81 now and still knocking the heck of things.

Good luck.

 

[TN75Jason]

HamBaloney Samwich,

A TC and a TN are quite different machines, but it can be hard to tell that from external appearances. If I can successfully attach a photo, it shows my TC40 and TN75 nose to nose (before loader was installed on TN). The physical dimensions are not much different. As one other person suggested, the most obvious visual clue is to look from the rear of the two tractors. Although the TN is much heavier and somewhat less nimble than a TC40, it is surprisingly manueverable.

Jason