Help!!!! Can't make up my mind!

Kevin_in_VA · Oct 9, 2003

Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

I have been tractor shopping for a few months, ever since my old Belarus (hey it was free) gave up the ghost. I have looked at green tractors, orange tractors, purple tractors, and blue tractors. I've narrowed it down to the 24 to 30 HP range, and have the following in mind, not necessarily in order of preference:

Kubota B7800 with LA302 FEL

NH TC24D with 12LA FEL

NH TC29D or TC30 with 7308 FEL

I already have a 4 foot rear rotary mower

None of the greens looked good to me.

I have 7.5 acres of gently rolling, partially wooded land that needs occasional mowing and now, due to Isabel, quite a bit of debris removal. I need a narrow tractor to work the wooded areas.

I have both NH and Kubota dealers local to me.

Kevin

DavidJ · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Given the use I'd suggest the TC29DHST and the loader. I think it'll be a good choice for you. If you don't want the extras on the 29, you could use the TC30 with HST. You should test drive both and see which you prefer.

jwstewar · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

I have 7.68 acres and I have the 24D w/ 12LA loader and 60" MMM. Love the tractor. Only had it since the end of June but it now has 104 hours on it. I've moved I don't know how many tons of dirt with it. Removed several brush/dirt piles left from the excavator & dozer when I had him take out a bunch of junk trees and brush. Removed a couple other piles of dirt that I had stack w/ the skid steer when I put the driveway in. Also moved my 8X16 shed with it. I've drilled the holes for my new pole barn garage. I've lift the poles for it, readjusted the poles a little bit w/ it to account for warpage on the PT poles. Next weekend I plan to set the trusses w/ it. This doesn't take into account the bushhogging I've done of the 1.5 acres or so a couple of times and the mowing of the grass every week. The 24 has been a perfect fit. Wouldn't have wanted anything any smaller, but don't think I would have been happy (well as happy) w/ a Class 2. I love my and I'm so glad that I got it over the Kubota B7500 that I was looking at, if for no other reason the position control on the 3PH. Didn't know it was a big deal until now I have one w/ it and I wouldn't have one w/o it.

OkeeDon · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

The 12LA loader has almost the same capabilities of the 7308. Unless you know of specific implements you want to run that require higher PTO HP, I think you'll be happier with the TC24D. My TC18 has done all of the things you mention, and more. I love the fact that it is only 48" wide at the widest point. I also have the 48" bucket, 48" brush hog and 48" box blade. My land is flat - if you plan to go sideways on steeper hills, you might want more width and weight for stability, but you mentioned "gently rolling", so you should be fine with the smaller tractor.

If you use the narrower implements as I have, simply keep in mind that it will take a little more time to accomplish the same thing.

I started out to buy a TC33D, but my dealer talked me into the smaller tractor based on what I wanted to do. Even with 6 fewer HP than the TC24, I've been very satisfied. I have reached the limits - it took me a fair amount of time to knock over and unroot a 6" diameter pine tree. I do have access to a Cat 416C at a reasonable rental rate when I want to do monster work.

BigBob · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

I have had 2 L series kubotas over 16 years, and have never had any problems with them. Been kinda hard on them too. I prefer the L series over the B series, but thats just my opinion and may not reflect the views of the management. However, I do have an opinion on the New Holland and Case DX series with loaders. I have driven these tractors with the loaders that have the loader arms curved like the hoods of the tractors, and I feel they have a lot better visibilty than the straight armed loaders. I think the TC 18 and 24 have these loaders and they just came out with this loader for the TC 24 thru 33 models. Hope this helps you, usually when I start tractor shopping i just get more confused. One point in your decision making may be which dealer you like better if you can't decide between two different makes of tractors. Good luck.

Bob_Skurka · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

I've got NH and Kubota and have come to prefer the NH for the design of the unit more than anything else. MY NH is the TC24D and I have to say I really love that little beast of a tractor. I looked at the Kubota 7800 and it is a nice unit, but I think the NH is the better of the two machines.

In my case both dealers are very close by, and I have a 9 year relationship with the Kubota dealer. I never bought anything from the NH dealer before and I have purchased two mowing tractors from the Kubota delaer. He and I are on first name basis. The fact that I bought New Holland says something about the tractor itself when I have such a strong relationship with the Kubota dealer.

Kevin_in_VA · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Thanks everyone.

I've been kinda leaning toward the smaller tractor (TC24D), due to some other factors, such as our garden (50ftx50ft). It is on the sunniest part of the property but before I built the retaining wall and levelled it off it sloped down toward a ditch. I would think that the lighter tractor would do better in this area too. It should turn easier. At least it would give me some peace of mind that if I got too close to the retaining wall with it there would be less chance of it breaking through.

I like the position control too. My old tractor only had an UP, and float control for thr TPH. It was a pain. Just try to disc when you can't put any down pressure on the gangs (I have a 4 foot - 2 gang disc as well)

I like the fact that it is lower cost too and would probably fit in my garage (more peace of mind). I have a 40ftx80ft barn but it is old, and the roof leaks, and it doesn't have doors all the way around.

The NH dealer I have been considering is only 45 minutes from my house, and has an excellent reputation around here. A friend of mine introduced me to him after letting me drive his new TN70. NICE TRACTOR! The dealer gave him a guarantee that he would buy his tractor back from him in 5 years for the same price he paid for it. Provided of course it wasn't abused, and he had the regular maintenance done on it. They do house calls too.

The Kubota dealer is closer, and does a booming business, and from what I hear it is hard to get service appointments on short order. That's not to say that he's not reputable, just busy. Seems to be more orange than blue tractors around here.

My old tractor was a 31HP 2wd, but with the 4wd 24 I shouldn't see too much traction difference.

Looks like it's gonna be the 24. Just needed to hear from you folks that have them.

So what's a good price with the loader? From what I've seen on the 'net should be around 13 to 14,000 delivered.

Kevin

thcri · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Kevin,

I believe you are making the right choice on the 24 over the 29. The 24 is a tough little machine and you will love it.

murph

Bob_Skurka · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

I don't think you will regret choosing a TC24D. It really is a very nice, well designed machine. And every time I hop on mine to do some work a big smile crosses my face. I just have to make sure the wife never sees that smile, she might think I am having fun.

Do yourself a favor, come back into the house moaning and groaning and breathing hard. Your wife will never want to use YOUR new tractor.

JerryG · Oct 9, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

 Just try to disc when you can't put any down pressure on the gangs 

Kevin,
So you aren't disappointed with a new tractor, as far as I know no tractors are being sold that have down pressure, except the Russian Belarus.