I can only buy one: B7800, TC30, JD790, or CK30

crimbo · Nov 9, 2005

Immediate uses: 10 acres = 5ac finish mowing (few obstacles), landscaping, and snow removal + 5ac woods (tree/ stump removal, rock moving)

I've quoted each of these tractors with FEL, 6' rear blade, & 72" rear finish mower. They are all within $1600 of each other. Kubota most expensive (only one w/HST); Kioti is least. The JD is the least expensive tractor/FEL combo, the other JD implements move it up into the middle of the pack.

All dealers seem fine to work with. NH and KUB = 25 miles. JD and Kioti = 12 miles.

Spec. Curiousities:
1. The 790's FEL and 3pt lift capacities seem significantly lower than the others'. Is this accurate? Is JD overly conservative? Are the others exaggerating?

2. The Kioti is significantly heavier than the others. I've always thought heavier is better. Am I right? Are there times this weight would be a detriment. Why are they 800+ heavier than the next guy? Does everyone weigh their products the same way (fluid levels, operators, ROPS, etc.)?

And finally: Let the recommendations, concerns, comments fly.

Thanks a lot.

crown · Nov 10, 2005

Crimbo,
First you need to decide what type of transmission you want if a hydro is what you want that will rule out the JD790.

Regarding your question about weight the heavier Kioti would have a definte advantage for your work in the woods, however it is a disadvatage when finish mowing.

The CK series Kioti is the most deluxe (more features) tractor of the bunch this may or may not be important to you, I also think the loader is the strongest and has the best sight feature of the 4. The Kubota is probably the best of the lot for finish mowing.

I think that when considering a purchase ask yourself what will you being spending the majority of your seat time doing and base your decision accordingly, there is no perfect tractor but there are ones that are better fits for specific task.

Perhaps each dealer could let you demo each maybe even at your place. Do your homework and I am sure you will be happy with your purchase.

Good luck shopping is half the fun. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

thcri · Nov 10, 2005

( Immediate uses: 10 acres = 5ac finish mowing (few obstacles), landscaping, and snow removal + 5ac woods (tree/ stump removal, rock moving) )

For finish mowing you will want a lighter tractor. I have a New Holland TC29D and that is about the heaviest thing I want on my lawn. You can always add weight to a tractor but you can't take it off. All prices being close you might want to have your dealer give you a price on the TC30 with the Hydro option and see how it compares with the Kubota just for kicks. If you think that you want that weight for your stump removal etc then the Kioti CK30 is a good tractor with all the bells and whistles already on it.

murph

Bob_Skurka · Nov 10, 2005

Take a look at your short term needs and your long term needs. Short term would be the first 1 to 3 years. Long term would be roughly 2 to 10 years. After you finish your short terms projects then what type of tractor will you need for the remainder of the time you are on that land? Buy the tractor that fits your long terms needs.

As for the loader stats on the tractors. Make sure you really take a close look at where the loaders are rated. If they are rated at the "pivot pin" the rating will be higher than if they are rated at "bucket center" or "500mm forward" the difference is roughly 30%. So a loader rated at 1000# at the pivot pins/pivot points is roughly equal to a loader rated for 700# at the bucket center/500mm forward of the pivot points. Don't be misled by statistics that are not measuring at the same point. New Holland and Kubota measure at the 500mm forward point (commonly called bucket center, and is deflated 30% compared to pivot point), Kioti measures at the pivot point (which is inflated 30% compared to bucket center). JD, depending on the loader, may show either or both measurement. Compare apples to apples!!!

As for weight, some people confuse weight with balance. Balance is far more important than raw weight. The trend today in agriculture is to be very concerned about soil compaction so while weight is necessary, newer tractors are often lighter with higher horsepower than the previous models. With the small tractors we play with here, you need to look at what I first wrote and decide if you need a tractor that has weight or a tractor that does not. Regardless of what you choose, you will need to add ballast to either type for balance for some specific chores.

Do you need weight?
- Box Blade work needs weight
- Tilling a garden does not need weight
- Disking a garden does need weight
- Pulling a landscape rake does not need weight
- Post Hole Digger does not need weight
- Mowing a lawn does not need weight
- FEL work does not need weight, but does need balance

Decide what tasks you will be spending most of your time doing and decide if you need excess weight and the rutting and soil compaction that it brings. If you need it, buy heavy. If you don't buy light. If you are unsure, buy a middle weight machine as that will be more of compromise between your needs. Understand a light tractor will do what a heavy tractor will do, but not as well. Understand a heavy tractor will do what a light tractor will do, but not as well.

As far as transmissions go, HST is a major advantage for mowing and for FEL work. And while gear will do either job and has its fans, the reality is that both tasks are more quickly & efficiently accomplished with HST.

PBinWA · Nov 10, 2005

Can't beat Bob's unbiased wisdom. I'd be wary of any poster's that advocate a specific brand.

Test drive them all and check out the dealers too. You will find one that is right for you when you see it.

JayC · Nov 10, 2005

Another thing you might consider is the 3PH on the B7800. The B7800 has the "Quarter Inching Valve." This allows you to only move the 3PH in 1/4 inch increments. If you plan on a lot of landscaping, this may be an issue. The other tractors you consider have position control on the 3PH. This will allow more precise movements.

albmn10 · Nov 10, 2005

Hello Crimbo, All the tractors your looking at will fill your needs. There are pleny of folks who use each brand and are perfectly satisified with their tractors.Some will perform certain tasks slightly better . If you want to compare specs on each just look at the specs that all brands will use, in the case of loaders use the pivot pin for all brands, since that can usually be found for all tractors. When comparing 3 point lift, find the specs for 24in behind and compare. Most importantly find a good dealer who will answer all your questions and concerns to your liking. Then go test drive each and see which one fits you best, you will know when youve found the right one for you... Good luck

LBrown59 · Nov 10, 2005

Spec. Curiosities:
1. The 790's FEL and 3pt lift capacities seem significantly lower than the others'. Is this accurate? Is JD overly conservative? Are the others exaggerating?
**** 

This throws a lot of folks: The thing I've learned is don't compare this between tractors bur rather
determine if the tractor will do the task in mind.

crimbo · Nov 10, 2005

Thank you all for the responses and great advice. This site is excellent.

Of course - no magic bullet screaming, "Buy this tractor!" It seems like I'm always going with the last one I sat on.

I think I've narrowed it down to these two (one of which wasn't even on the original list):

Tractor, R4 tires, FEL, 72" rear mower, 72" rear blade.

Kubota L2800; HST, 22.5 PTO HP, folding ROPS; $17,320
J. Deere 790; Gear, 24 PTO HP, detachable bucket; $16,350

Sorry to bug everyone again but it's

Orange vs. Green

and I need a push if I'm going to get this thing before the snow flies.

IslandTractor · Nov 11, 2005

First, I have not looked at either of these tractors so this comment is purely second hand: In the months that I have been using this board, neither of these tractors has been considered the best bang for the buck and I believe both are considered a bit underpowered for their size. Why not the Kubota 7800 or JD 4000 series or Kioti CK30. Those seem to get much more favorable reviews and I think are in the same general price range.