Hi everyone, I am new to tractors but have been shopping and comparing for a while. I live on 8 acres on top of a hill. My driveway is 600' and steep. In the winter I use an ATV with a plow to clear my driveway. That works great but there is always that last 1/2 inch of snow left on the pavemant. This is an issue when dealing with a steep driveway since it turns to ice after you drive on it. Currently I use a lot of salt to deal with the issue. However, I thought a compact tractor with a rotary broom would work great to clear the snow down to the pavement after plowing. I also cut a lot of firewood from a neighboring farm. I need a tractor with a loader strong enough to handle some heavier loads. In addition, I plant some food plots for deer so I need a tractor capable of tilling 5-10 acres. Lastly, I will use this machine around the yard for landscaping purposes so I want something lightweight enough that it won't tear up the yard too much. I plan on R4 tires. I am on the road a lot so my wife will be using this tractor for snow removal. Hydrostatic drive is a must for her, especially considering my driveway. I am looking at the JD 3120 and NH TC33DA. The price is about the same for each ($26,000 for the JD with 300cx loader and rotary broom, $26,100 for the NH with loader and broom). I like the supersteer of the NH but not sure I really need that feature. The loader specs look better on the JD but the machine is 400lbs heavier with less horse power (29.5 vs. 33) I suspect both would have all the power I would likely need. I will also be using this tractor to run a 5' cutter and I will not be mowing the lawn with this machine. Sorry for the long story but wanted to give you as much information as possible. Any advice or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!
JD 3120 vs. NH TC33DA
- Thread starter New Guy
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jcmseven
Veteran Member
I do not know much about the New Holland, but I think the 3120 is a little underpowered for your needs. I had a 4310 and now have a 3720, and with my steep long hills I found the 4310 to be a little low on power without a PTO attachment. While operating a PTO attachment, I think it would be worse. To me, the closer comparison would be the 3320 to the NH you are viewing.
John M
John M
A couple of random thoughts: I sat on both last week at the county fair and if I was in the same position I would be torn. Each has their good points with New Holland's being the attractive price. Since your wife is going to be using it, John Deere's 'LoadMatch' feature may be important and make it easier to operate. "LoadMatch' cuts the power to the hydro when the engine bogs and replaces it when the overload condition goes away making the tractor stall proof. I would also caution about getting the 3120 and instead go with the 3320. I would also get the rear tires loaded with RimGuard right off the bat. You'll find the front tires cut turf worse than the loaded R4 rears because of the R4's width.
coasterez
Banned
Can't comment on the tractors (though I would suggest looking at all available brands). But, regarding your driveway... Have you thought about a hydraulic blade for a truck, or a front mount blade for the tractor? I plow mine with a front mount blade that has hydraulic angle and lift/down pressure. It cleans the driveway all the way to bare pavement. No half inch left; no nothing. The ATV mounted blades simply don't apply enough downward pressure.
I do this on a little JD425 garden tractor with all wheel steer. When it snows, I clean my driveway and 5 other neighbors'. The total is about 600 feet. I can plow all of the driveways, including tight spots around garages, and about 80 feet of culdesac, with this little machine in about an hour and half. The AWS is the best, and will plow circles around much larger machines (and I have one) when spaces are confined. The point is that supersteer would give you a similar performance advantage, I would think.
I do this on a little JD425 garden tractor with all wheel steer. When it snows, I clean my driveway and 5 other neighbors'. The total is about 600 feet. I can plow all of the driveways, including tight spots around garages, and about 80 feet of culdesac, with this little machine in about an hour and half. The AWS is the best, and will plow circles around much larger machines (and I have one) when spaces are confined. The point is that supersteer would give you a similar performance advantage, I would think.
matthew3120
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2005
- Messages
- 184
- Location
- Ashland Wisconsin
- Tractor
- 2007 John Deere 4120 4WD 12/12 Power revser
I have a 3120 and have done alot of big tasked that it did that a NH would never think of going or doing.As for the power of the 3120 having 29.5 hp is more then enuff for 5-10 acres.I have work with NH and work at a JD dealership and see alot of NH being traded in for 3x20 and 4x20 tractor line up. I think green is the best way to go.
matthew3120
matthew3120
Redneck_Randy
Platinum Member
matthew3120 said:
Maybe in the neck of your woods but not down south. It's all blue down here and you don't see green anywhere. Only time you see green down here is on a service truck trailer going in for repairs.
thats not nice redneck. I dont have a ton of experience with tractors, but from my research, it seems to me that they are all built pretty well. I only have about 30 hrs on my JD3520, but they have been trouble free. My opinion is this, if you properly maintain your equipment you will have many yrs of trouble free operation. You can get a lemon from any manufacturer.Redneck_Randy said:
BTW- I am down south and in west TN, there is as much green as any other color.
matthew3120
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2005
- Messages
- 184
- Location
- Ashland Wisconsin
- Tractor
- 2007 John Deere 4120 4WD 12/12 Power revser
Redneck_Randy
Platinum Member
Sorry guy's. Wasn't putting down anyone's tractor weither it be brand or color. Should have pick better words and explained. What I was trying trying to say before I put my foot in my mouth is that NH is SO dominant in this area from state to county & city goverments using them. For every 20 NH's you see here you might find one JD or any other brand or color.
Very sorry again all!
Oh, one other thing. I'm color blind. I can't even tell the different colors on a traffic light.
Very sorry again all!
Oh, one other thing. I'm color blind. I can't even tell the different colors on a traffic light.
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
Both are very capable machines. I would not be scared of either. I would go with the one I liked best. You should be able to get the NH at a lower cost. I personally would look at the TC35/40/45 series from NH for a better one-to-one comparison. The 3120 is larger than the 33. Size wise the TC33 is the smallest followed by the 3120 and then larger TC series.