Almost new NE Tc18 or PT

[TimOb]

I'm having fun with this decision. I can get a NH TC18 with FEL, a few other implements and 60 hours for about the same price as a PT422 with FEL, and mini hoe. A backhoe for the TC18 is mucho dinero. I'm pretty sure the mini hoe will fulfill my needs.

Now most of you nice folks are probably fairly biased toward the pt, and for good reason, but the NH is a worthy tool.

Pros and cons as I see it are:

They are about the same weight (I think), but NH is bigger which is harder for me to store.

+ NH has a 3 cyl diesel
- PT422 has a gas engine

- NH implements are bigger and harder to put on
+ PT implements are easy to put on and easier to store

+ NH looks nicer (ouch - don't beat me up on this)
+ PT external shell probably a bit tougher.

+ NH has the 3ph - many implements available locally
+ PT has lots of implements, but only thru pt

- NH backhoe very expensive but can do more (more than I need to do)
+ PT mini hoe reasonable cost and will fulfill most of my needs

- NH has to manually be put into FWD.
+ PT is full time AWD (I think).

- NH is a standard tractor configuration
+ PT has all the nice things regarding the articulation and lower COG.

Hmm... What else???

Thanks, G

 

[KentT]

Greg,

You really need to spend at least a while driving a PT on a pile of dirt or something... you need to drive one long enough to get over the "novelty of articulation" and begin to get into a bit of rthym... Then, you'll begin to understand how different and how much faster they are when you're working... the maneuverability difference simply can't be described adequately, only experieced. Then there's the quick-attach that actually encourages you to swap implements...

I'll freely admit my bias, but I sold a little Kubota diesel with loader in order to buy my PT. My friend who's storing my PT for me until I get the garage built (900 miles away) is using my PT for everything but mowing, while his larger, 30HP diesel Kioti sits collecting dust...

If you want to pull a plow or something else that depends on brute force pulling, get a traditional tractor. If you want a multi-purpose tool that can dig, mow, etc. at an affordable price, I don't think there's any real competition...

That said, the NH will likely hold it's resale value better than the PT. But, the only way I'd consider getting rid of mine is to get a newer, bigger or more capable PT... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[MossRoad]

As KentT said, you need to become familiar with both types of tractors before you can make your purchase decision. You just about can't go wrong with a NH. They are well built, ergonomic machines that will hold their value for years and years and have local dealer support. There are used implements all over the place for 3pt machines.

However, I think a PT422 or 425 would be better in average homeowner situations. Moving mulch, soil, plants, patio blocks and mowing the lawn would be typical homeowner use in my book. The PT will run circles around a conventional tractor of the same size in those types of tasks simply because it is faster, more maneuverable and more versatile with the quick attach feature. Swapping implements in 15-30 seconds is not possible with a 3pt unit. Even with the additional purchase of a quick attach system, I have never seen it as simple and elegant as the PT system. The PT quick attach is included with the tractor and every implement. You won't find a mini hoe feature on a conventional tractor, either. That thing looks to be the perfect solution for small jobs and where an owner cannot justify the cost of a full backhoe.

Now with all that praise and hype of the PT system, you still have to ask yourself a few questions...

First... there is no local dealer support. PT has excellent parts shipping and will get you repair parts faster than you think. However, you or someone at your location will have to put them on. That is just a fact of life with a PT. Eventually, something WILL break and you will have to repair it. Some of us do our own repair work. Some of us have trusted local repair shops that can do it for us(welders, engine repair and hydraulic shops). Some of us ship stuff back to PT for repair. And most of us combine all three of those options to get the job done. We have made the decision that this is the way we get things done and can live with our decisions. As long as you know this up front, there is no deception or smoke. This is the way it is with a PT. If, for some reason, you are not comfortable with this, you may want to look at tractors with local dealer support. If you are comfortable with this, then the PT is an excellent choice.

Second, the PT is not good at pulling a plow like a conventional farm tractor. If you need to pull a plow, get a farm-type tractor.

Third, the PT will do a better job at just about everything else. The implements out front are outstanding. Mowing out front is much better and the loader visibility VS a standard tractor is superior. The power down capabilities of the loader arms means you can apply down pressure to things like a post hole digger that you cannot do with a standard 3pt hitch unless you purchase power down kits.

All-in-all, having owned both a traditional tractor and a PT, I will never go back to a traditional tractor for any reason. It is a superior design for my needs and is just plain more enjoyable to operate. Do I sound biased? You bet! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Piedmont3]

I grew up driving a Ford 8N. I looked for more than a year when I needed to buy a tractor. I was biased I thought Ford/NH was the only way to go. I drive a Ford truck too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I was comparing the tc18, and the next size up (TC30) I believe, then I happened on this site, saw the PT and what ALL it could do, ALL the implements I could get for the NH price of tractor and loader, and said I am not a bad mechanic, and took a chance. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
NOW, I wish I had seen it sooner, and gotten it sooner. NOW I am still biased but the color of bias has changed. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Spiffy]

MossRoad spoke of service; if you are at all handy with a wrench, I'd much rather talk to Tazewell than any but the best dealers. You tell them the problem and they tell you right over the phone what you need to do - whether major or minor; not too many dealers like that anymore. Of course, if you don't like wrenching, any shop that repairs skid-steers can work on a PT. If neither of those are options, and you like your NH dealer, the NH sounds like a good choice too.

I did buy a hydraulic o-ring assortment, a couple hydraulic gages (500 & 5000psi) and a few larger wrenches (but don't think the 4XX series have much over 1" bolt heads); if you're the type that changes your own oil in cars, you likely already have most anything you need.

 

[Spiffy]

I'm fairly convinced the mini-hoe is much more versatile than a BH. I still have to make a modification on my 2445 so I can get the best of both worlds; on a huge TLB maybe it isn't an issue (move more soil before needing to reposition), but with an 8ft depth and 10ft reach, I find it a pain in the rear to reposition the BH (my PT is still a little handier than a tractor aftermarket hoe with separate seat):

Lift outriggers, dismount hoe, mount tractor, lift bucket, reposition, plant bucket, dismount tractor, mount hoe, plant outriggers............

No doubt for depth the hoe is better, but for more shallow things, I can sure see why all the mini-hoe users like it.