B3030 vs TC33DA

[RexT]

Ok, we're down to a two tractor race and I'm aking for help or at least some pro/con on either of these two tractors. I have pastures to mow and 10 acres of woods that need work. I have logs to cut and drag, some hoe work (tend to buy one with the tractor), FEL work (maintain gravel drive) and a lot of honey do's. Like both tractors and the price difference is small enough I can live with either one. The kubota has the new front end loader and a Bushhog brand 5' rotary cutter. NH has same cutter but has a 15LA loader with a HD 5' bucket, both have tooth bars. The NH has a slight edge in weight and comfort, plus this unit I'm considering has supersteer, which I really do like for working in tight place in the woods. Nether tractor had a loader on when test driven and I've been told to expect a difference because of the supersteer. Not to old a dog to learn new tricks! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I guess my biggest con for the Kubota is the light weight and for the NH is the fiberglass body, other then that both seem very similarly equiped and fairly equal spec wise, not sure about the loaders. Both are hydro's and 4wd. I have never owned either of these brand of tractor (always been a JD man up until they priced themselves out of the market) and would appreciate any opinions/ experiences/etc. with either. This the last tractor my wife is going to let me buy so it has to be right or I'll never hear the end of it. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[ronjhall]

I cannot make your decision for you. However, will make a couple of comments.
Super Steer may be a hindrance in the wood with a FEL attached. Check this thread. Click Here
The lightweight of the B3030 requires that a light duty rotary mower be used.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I use a TC24D and a B2910 so I'm familiar with both brands. I like both. So maybe I won't be any help at all. The upside to the fiberglass/plastic body of the TC is that stuff bounces off of it, the downside to the steel hood on the B2910 is the $400 dent that I have not repaired. Now if something really big hits the blue hood, it will not bounce, it will crack, but so far I've had numerous branches hit mine without an issue.

The Kubota has a smoother running engine. I really like the B3030 upgrades. The NH has a vastly superior loader in both visibility and capacity. Check out these pictures: NH loader versus Kubota loader

I cannot speak to the SuperSteer, some folks really like it, others say it is an odd thing to use and takes getting used to. I've never tried it. The NH will have greater capacity at the 3pt than the Kubota, the B3030 is a really light tractor, it will be much softer on your lawn. So I'd say you need to define your tasks, heavier duty tasks would favor the NH TC33, lighter duty tasks would favor the Kubota. I think a better match for the TC33 would be the Kubota L3130 (and I think the L3130 is the superior of that match up), but in the match up with the B3030 the TC33 has more capacity, weight and horsepower (and probably costs more too).

 

[tc33brad]

I had the same decisions to make back in 2003 when I bought my TC33D except then I believe I was looking at the 2910 and 3130. I have a backhoe, fel [mines the old 7308], tiller and I go in the woods and drag trees and I have zero complaints with how the tractor has handled those tasks. As to the hood I lost my hand to eye to brain coordination about six weeks ago and a very large slab of wet clay came tumbling out of the bucket onto the hood with a sickening thud but nothing happened..not even a scratch. I'm very pleased with my choice and good luck with yours.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I can tell you that my cousin bought a TC33 about 4 years ago, straight gear model, and it's an awesome tractor. The only problem he's ever had is a safety switch that loosened up a couple of times, or got grabbed by something and came undone.
He uses some large discs and bedders on it, and a hefty Bush Hog brand cutter for his fields. I love operating his tractor when I visit in Louisiana. I wish he'd bought a loader for it as well, but he just didn't think he needed one. Imagine that!
John