Decisions, Decisions

Boondox · Jan 24, 2002

Jim -- I was seriously looking at the 4300 before getting my L3010, and two things swung me to the Kubota. (The NH dealer was way too far from me.) (1) I liked my local Kubota dealer much better. JD kept me waiting all the time, and their service dept was not the best. (2) I priced five parts I thought might be needed over the life of the tractor and found, at least in my area, that JD parts cost a LOT more than Kubota.

You might want to consider that part of the equation.

Pete

butzkeg · Jan 24, 2002

For people that are really torn on which tractor to buy, why not have a form they can fill out to rate each model they are looking at. Rate them on a point scale, 1-5 with 5 being highest.

The tractor at the end with the highest mark might be your personal favorite in the end. I threw something together very quickly, maybe as a starting point. Maybe Muhammad could throw a bigger/better version of this on the site somewhere, if it's something people would find helpful. Check this out: http://www.geocities.com/gbutzke/tractor_rating.htm

John_Mc · Jan 24, 2002

<font color=blue>Loaders. The NH 7308 has a lift capacity of 800 lbs? This is a couple hundred pounds ( 20% !!) less than the kubota 481, and about 400 lbs (30% ...) less than the JD 430. Is this right? Am I missing something?</font color=blue>

I noticed this when I bought my TC33D. One thing that is not clear from NH specs is WHERE they are measuring the loader capacity (measuring at pivot pin, bucket center, or "500mm forward" makes a big difference in the stated capacity). I never did find out where NH measures it.

I ended up going with a Woods Model 1012 FEL. It fits the TC33D well, and has about 300# higher capacity than the NH 7308. I've been happy with it so far, no troubles, other than an initial hydraulic leak at the loader control (has since been fixed). If you go this way, definitely get the heavy duty bucket. You have a choice of 60" or 66" bucket. I think if you have the R4 tires (and maybe turfs or Ags set wide?) you may want to go with the 66" bucket to be sure to cover your tracks with the FEL.

frank_f15 · Jan 24, 2002

would make a lot simpler if u liked only one of them, but it is difficult to choose ain't it?/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif i was stuck bet the jd and kubota. but my needs were different than yours. is there a chance u can try them all out? then pick the one that u AND THE BOSS both like best. u won't be sorry with any of them.

EdKing · Jan 28, 2002

Do you have a LongAgribusiness dealer near you ? If you do , you might want to look at the LandTrac 360DTC. I just purchased one with a Loader and a Backhoe for $22,000. Backhoe is subframe mounted, has a digging force of 2,850 lbs. Loader is also subframe mounted, lifting capacity 1,250 lbs, breakout force 2,800 lbs. Has alot of nice features, 2 hydraulic outputs standard, 3ph has position and draft controls standard. 3ph is rated at 2,976 lbs, 24 inches from rear hitch points. The only feature it doesn't have is the HST. I have put about 40hrs on mine in the last 2 weeks, and have had no problems. This past weekend I pulled a 56' x 12' mobile home up a slight incline to a spot I had leveled with the backhoe and loader.

Hope this helps,

Ed King

jcarius · Jan 30, 2002

Folks,

First, thanks for all the help and feedback thus far.

I think we're finally in the home stretch here. We've decided to "go green", mostly because
(a) the boss (err.... wife) likes the tractor
(b) It was a toss up between the Blue and Green for me
(c) we liked the green dealer substantually more than the blue
(d) the quotes the CFO (err... wife) got were basically the same cost for comparable models.

We will be getting a "harvest return" tractor. Here in CA often the are used strictly for pulling trailers - they're supplied to the growers without even a 3pt hitch!

So now for the final decisions:

We're looking at either a 4300 or 4400, hydro, 420 loader, 48 backhoe. The bottom line package price differential is $2250. Now the way I figure it that's 1/2 way to a PTO chipper, which I also need. Will I really notice the 3hp difference over $2 grand worth?

What is the real difference between the 420 and 430 loaders?

Thanks a bunch ...

Jim

John_Mc · Jan 31, 2002

I don't see much difference between the 4300 and 4400 tractors except HP, especially since you are getting HST transmission (the standard tranny in a 4400 is a 12/12 synchreverser, which is an option on the 4300). Whether the 3 HP difference is significant may depend on what you hook to the PTO, I can't imagine it being a real issue for pulling power (traction is usually the problem on compacts).

I'd take a look at the requirements of the Chipper you are considering. While 3 HP isn't necessarily a make-or-break deal on a chipper, if the one you want has a HP range that pushes the limits of PTO hp on a 4300 (25.5 PTO HP w/HST) then I'd be inclined to bump up to the 4400 (28.5 PTO HP w/HST). I didn't see much else in your plans that would push the limits of your HP. Either will handle a 5 ft brush cutter without much trouble.

420 Vs 430 Loader: (can be mounted on either 4300 or 4400)
(1) 430 has a higher max lift height (101.4" vs 87.6") This might be a factor if you were trying to dump into the side of a truck, for example.
(2) 430 has a higher rollback angle on the bucket (30? vs 24?) not sure if that is significant for you.
(3) 430 has a significantly higher breakout force (3299# vs 2693#) and a slightly higher lift capacity (1258# vs 1195#)
(4) 430 is slightly slower than the 420, but not noticably so (0.1 or 0.2 seconds on most specs). The only significant difference is in loader raising time, which is to be expected, since you are raising it higher (about half a second longer on the 430)

jcarius · Feb 4, 2002

Folks,

Wanted to give a quick note of thinks to everyone who's helped me figure out what
to do. Amazingly enough I ended up with A Deere, which was actually not on my short list. The
determining factors ended up being the Deere hydraulics, Ergonomics, and an _excellent_ (fairly) local dealer.

Final Decision:

JD 4300
430 Loader w/ 4N1 bucket
48 Backhoe
gearmore Top N Tilt
gearmore box scraper with hydro rippers

This is gonna lighten my wallet a bit, but it'll be nice to finally have some nice machinery round here!

thanks again,

Jim