Buying Tractor Soon---Help!

Bodie · Jun 20, 2003

Hey all! I'm new to the site although I've been reading and absorbing tractor info since last fall when I first bought some property (approximately 10.5 Acres). However, moving time is fast approaching and so is the end of the 0% financing. I'm considering the L3430 or the NHTC35D. I need it for mowing taking care of 500+ feet of driveway and a co-owned mile long road. I wanted to get a bush hog, FEL and boxscraper or york rake to start. Any advice on these machines? I have a neighbor with a B7800 but it just seems a little small. Am I just looking for excuses for a bigger machine or are my concerns well founded? Any advice would be welcome. PS I have an offer from a dealer for approximately $22250 for the TC35D, SS, FEL and Bushhog. This price seems high to me. Any comments? Thanks, Bodie

Rick Jay · Jun 20, 2003

Bodie,

Welcome to TBN! I can't comment on your NH price. I will say that if you think that a B7800 is a little small, you might as well start looking at the L's, which is more in the neighborhood of the NH you got your quote on.

I have a B2910, and I love it. IF I were buying today AND if I had some "real property", I would go for the L series. Almost twice as much weight for not too many more dollars.

The only exception would be if you were to be doing extensive mowing with the tractor, then I might recommend a lighter tractor. For just about all other tractor work, you want as much weight "on your side" as possible.

As far as the financing, someone just posted that Kubota will be extending it's low rates until the end of August 2003.

~Rick

Bodie · Jun 20, 2003

Rick, thanks for the reply. I just had another question. How do the tractor specs relate to tasks on the farm? What I mean by that is that my property is quite rough. The only place that has ever been lived on or cleared in any way is where the house is located. The rest of the land is thick woods and undergrowth that I'd like to slowly clear and thin out. I also would like/need to move some dirt for grading and other projects and as of yet there are only 3 of 9 owners with tractors to care for that mile of road. I guess they are assuming I am a generous guy, and I am but only to a point. I hope that they will contribute so to speak to the care of the road. Which leads me back to my question. Is the difference between say a B7800 or TC30 and the next step up, the TC35 or L3430 really that big a jump or am I just burning a whole in the wallet? How much mulch/gravel/dirt does that 875lb TC30 lift capacity translate into? vs the 1870 L3430? By spending the extra $5K and getting twice the loader capacity am I making my life that much easier? or do I just go with the smaller tractor and make more trips? Just a bit confused.

Rick Jay · Jun 20, 2003

Bodie,

I'm a bit out of my league if I talk about farm tasks, I'm only on 2/3 acre. I don't use my tractor to cut grass or overgrowth, as other members do.

However, in general, for any type of ground engaging tractor work, a common occurrence with the compact tractors is they seem to run out of traction before they run out of power. This is usually because they are big on power, low on weight.

Again, I'm only really familiar with the Kubota line so I'll limit my discussion to their models. The same principles apply to other mfgs. The main functional difference between the B7800/B2910 and the L3130 isn't really the power, it's the additional weight and strength in the tractor frame. Because of this additional weight, the loader can be designed to handle greater loads and lift to greater heights, the 3 pt. hitch can also handle heavier implements.

If you're plowing, grading, boxblading, rototilling etc., think of it as a tug-o'-war. You want the most weight on your side. Such is true about most tractor applications.

Put it this way. I think the upper end of the B series will do what you want. However, you might find yourself frequently wishing that you had bought the L. On the other hand, if you buy an L, I don't think you'll be wishing too often that you got the B.

Hopefully, some of the more experienced folk can give you some more input.

~Rick

Carl_NH · Jun 20, 2003

I with Rick Jay on this one, get the L series for the added weight since the implements are the same/similar cost from the B series. I cannot comment on the NH tractors, tho they also make a good unit.

The jobs you describe, clearing woods, maintaining 1/2 mile of road, I think you will find that the L series is better suited to these tasks, not saying the B would not, but the extra heft would be nice to have. However if the primary duty is mowiing and secondary is the HD work, the B series will do most every thing you ask for.

Carl

Joe1 · Jun 21, 2003

Per some JD info I have in my 770 owners manual, 1 cu ft of dry sand weighs 128 lbs. A 48" bucket holds 6.2 cu ft or 795 lbs. 54" bucket, 7.0 cu ft or 898 lbs, 60", 7.8 cu ft. or 1,000 lbs. Gravel is heavier as is wet clay.

This may give you a rough idea of what the extra lift capacity of the larger vs smaller tractors equates to.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 21, 2003

Here's an interesting weight chart I found on the web.

Gasoline = 42lbs/cu ft

Ice = 57.4lbs/cu ft

Diesel = 49.6 lb/cu.ft

Fresh water = 62.3 lb /cu.ft

Sea Water = 62.8 lb/cu ft

Pitch = 69lbs/cu ft

Tar = 74lbs/cu ft

Asphalt = 156lbs/cu ft

Earth, dry 76-95lbs/cu ft

Gravel = 109lbs/cu ft

Brick = 112lbs/cu ft

Fibreglass = 95-115 lbs/cu ft

Mud 108-115lbs/cu ft

Cement, dry = 86-94 lbs/cu ft

Concrete mix 2 sand,1 cement = 138lbs/cu ft

Concrete, sand & Gravel = 150lbs/cu ft

Sand dry = 111 lbs/cu ft

Sand wet = 136 lbs/cu ft

Ferro = 151to200 lbs/cu ft

Glass = 158 lbs/cu ft

Glass = 170 lbs/cu ft

Asbestos = 175lbs/cu ft

Ash = 46 lbs/cu ft

Balsa = 10lbs/cu ft

Beech = 46 lbs/cu ft

Birch = 46lbs/cu ft

Cedar = 29lbs/cu ft

Cork = 16lbs/cu ft

Fir = 30 lbs/cu ft

Larch = 38 lbs/cu ft

Maple = 43lbs/cu ft

Oak = 53 lbs/cu ft

Oak = 53 lbs/cu ft

Oak, white = 48lbs/cu ft

Poplar = 31lbs/cu ft

Scots pine = 32 lbs/cu ft

Pine, white = 26lbs/cu ft

Pine, yellow = 43lbs/cu ft

Spruce = 30 lbs/cu ft

Walnut = 40lbs/cu ft

Aluminium = 170lbs/cu ft

Steel = 500 lbs/cu ft

Zinc = 446lbs/cu ft

Tin = 456lbs/cu ft

Brass = 525lbs/cu ft

Copper = 550 lbs/cu ft

Silver = 655lbs/cu ft

Lead = 711 lbs/cu ft

Gold = 1204lbs/cu ft