JD 790 vs. NH TC30

[Hosskix]

My local dealer quoted a 790 with a FEL and boxblade for ~15000.
I found a dealer about 4 hrs from me with a TC30 and FEL for the same price.

I'm kinda torn between the 2.
Part of me says "Go green", the dealer is closer and I haven't read many complaints from owners about this tractor.
Plus, I use to live on a ranch that had a 770 that I used all the time, so I'm use to the controls, etc.

On the other hand, the New Holland has more horses, more gears and weighs a little more.
I've heard a few complaints, but most of those seem to deal with the "higher end" NH's and not the stripped down version I'm looking at.
The main problem is the dealer's location.
We've got a local dealer, but I've met the sells rep and didn't really care for him (plus he quoted me 17K, I'll drive 4 hrs to save $2,000!) and I've also had dealings with their parts dept before, (not particularly helpful), so I feel that I may have problems getting service from them if I don't buy the tractor there.

Anyone have anything helpful to add to assist me with this painful decision?

 

[_RaT_]

My local dealer quoted a 790 with a FEL and boxblade for ~15000.
I found a dealer about 4 hrs from me with a TC30 and FEL for the same price.

I'm kinda torn between the 2.
Part of me says "Go green", the dealer is closer and I haven't read many complaints from owners about this tractor.
Plus, I use to live on a ranch that had a 770 that I used all the time, so I'm use to the controls, etc.

On the other hand, the New Holland has more horses, more gears and weighs a little more.
I've heard a few complaints, but most of those seem to deal with the "higher end" NH's and not the stripped down version I'm looking at.
The main problem is the dealer's location.
We've got a local dealer, but I've met the sells rep and didn't really care for him (plus he quoted me 17K, I'll drive 4 hrs to save $2,000!) and I've also had dealings with their parts dept before, (not particularly helpful), so I feel that I may have problems getting service from them if I don't buy the tractor there.

Anyone have anything helpful to add to assist me with this painful decision?

Its interesting to see how many folks here stress the value of the dealer. Frankly, after I have purchased my tractors, the need for the dealer was almost non existent, I'm either lucky or the things I have done are things many folks would never tackle. I have driven the JD 790 quite a bit. Its about as basic a tractor as they come. The loader is on the smaller side. The tractor itself is pretty cramped for me. If the NH is larger, that would be my choice, the cockpit on the 790 is just to tight.

 

[machmeter62]

I own both, but they are several years old now. The plus on the JD is just hit the key, with "instant starts!" (DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE) It is a 2000 purchase with the 91.5 cu.in. engine. The tighter turning radius is plus, also. The TC-30 ouality may not be as great, but the additional gears are sure nice for expediting your work! Also, the exhaust on the Deere becomes an issue, if you work around any trees. Access is tighter on the JD, but I solved that easy; when leaving the tractor, I just throw my right leg over the steering wheel! Maintenance wise, the JD will start surging with the slightest of lugging, and I was told by the dealer; "it's the nature of the beast," the NH I've replaced the water pump, after six years, and 500 hrs. Good luck, and a good dealer is also an influence on the purchase.

 

[AndyMA]

For the same price, I'd go with the TC30. It's just more tractor. And a very reliable one at that.

Andy

 

[machmeter62]

A couple of other points on the selection, the JD also has a weaker three-point, and the Model 70 loader struggles with 800#. You are getting more tractor with the TC-30; I would, "go for it!"

 

[jand38]

I bought the TC30 did not like where the JD gear shift was and I paid less for my NH than JD so for no problems 200Hr. The only thing I would change I wish I went Hydro.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Its interesting to see how many folks here stress the value of the dealer. Frankly, after I have purchased my tractors, the need for the dealer was almost non existent, I'm either lucky or the things I have done are things many folks would never tackle. I have driven the JD 790 quite a bit. Its about as basic a tractor as they come. The loader is on the smaller side. The tractor itself is pretty cramped for me. If the NH is larger, that would be my choice, the cockpit on the 790 is just to tight.

I agree 100% about the dealer...
I buy used stuff and do my own maint...
Dealer support for me is only for parts, not reapirs...
If you can't wrench at all then dealer support is more important...

Now...
As far as comparing both tractors...
Both are quite capable...
Not a lot of difference in either...
Try both out and go with the one you like best...

 

[machmeter62]

I agree 100% about the dealer...
I buy used stuff and do my own maint...
Dealer support for me is only for parts, not reapirs...
If you can't wrench at all then dealer support is more important...

Now...
As far as comparing both tractors...
Both are quite capable...
Not a lot of difference in either...
Try both out and go with the one you like best...

I totally agree with you gentlemen about the dealership, when I signed for the JD 790, including on the contract was a 60" bucket. I was out of town for a week during delivery, and my sons in their late 20's didn't notice the 54" bucket. The relationship with the dealer went down hill, eventually ending in an abyss. He claimed we should have noticed the small bucket, and not used it, till it was switched? There was other issues about the engine bucking and surging, which has left feelings, when they stated; it's the nature of the beast? So a good dealer is somewhat important upon initial purchase, and I also do my own wrenching!! "BUYER BEWARE!!"

 

[gordon21]

Get the 790. Some people are fixated with the number of gears they have. This is not a sports car where you run through the gearbox from 1-12. You will most likely end up using at most 3 or 4 of all the various gears. You will find the few that suit your needs and terrain. A 790 is old technology, but bulletproof. If you have been reading TBN for long, I doubt if you ever saw a single post about "issues" with a 790. That can't be said for a lot of other tractors in the same HP range. Go sit on one and see if it fits you. Better yet, take some measurements to see if it fits your garage or storage shed.

If you end up leaning towards the 790, I will send you a laundry list of stuff to ask for before the deal is done and things to buy at initial purchase. A 790 may not be glamorous, but it is a solid perfomer that costs about $1.40 per hour to run and will do anything a bigger tractor will if you have patience and more time. Mine is excavating a hillside for a house on a mountaintop. I am almost done. The local contractors all wanted $8-12K to do the work just for the initial clearing and driveway. My little 790 is going to finish the job in about 45 hours engine time. I figure it will almost pay for itself one just for this one home site. When I am done, I will then have a low hours tractor that will last another 50 years. My grandaughter can pass it on to her kids........

 

[machmeter62]

GORDON 21: I have a 2000 JD 790, and also a NH/ Ford, which is what the Tc-30 is, a carrier over to NH after the buyout of Ford around the turn of the century. The JD 790 is a great tractor, but in some cases, working with it instead, of the TC-30 can be time consuming. I was building a rather narrow 600' driveway, which required moving and grading base rock in one direction only. The Ford was the answer, because of the two slow "reverse speeds" of the JD. If the JD was used for the job, it would require two turnarounds, one at each end, disturbing your grading, plus the wasted time. The third reverse gear in the Ford made the job much faster, by simply backing up at a comfortable speed, which required spreading eighteen yards of rock. In other confined areas that I work, the JD outshines the NH. Just my opinion?

 

[Willl]

Follow your heart.

 

[Daryl]

I have and like the tc30

 

[machmeter62]

Follow your heart.

PORT ANGELES(?)!!!

 

[regor66]

My 790 was 2 years old in August. I bought 30 acres of woods and the tractor about the same time. I have worked this tractor hard and am very impressed. I have built roads, pushed over trees, hung trusses, dug post holes, etc, etc. I don't think there is a piece of sheetmetal on the tractor that isn't dented or scraped. My tractor is not the kind that sits in the shop so I can keep it washed and waxed. It has almost 400 hours now and I've had one self induced maintenance issue. Only thing I would do different is go to the 990 for the extra horsepower. Don't know anything about NH so can't make a comparison but I'm very happy with the 790. I'm with you on the dealer thing too. I bought mine at a dealership from a friend's recomendation. I later found a friendlier dealer where I buy my parts and preventive maintenance items.

 

[Willl]

PORT ANGELES(?)!!!

South of Tacoma, in Spanaway.

 

[Hosskix]

Thanks for all the replys guys.

I recently went back down to the NH dealer here and talked to another salesman that I got along with much better.
Still didn't get a decent price though, $16,500, I can still beat that by $1000 by driving nearly to Houston to get it.
He said that he understood completely and didn't blame me a bit and "If I ever need work or anything for it just let them know."
So maybe service won't be that big a problem from them after all.
(I will do the majority myself, but I'm no deisl mechanic, if anything major happens I want someone close that can do it. Especially when it's under warantee.)

I've also gotten a better deal in the Houston area than locally on the JD as well.
$14,500 for the 790, FEL and box blade.
So, that puts the JD at $1000 less than the NH.

Decisions, decisions, decisions....

Anyway, no matter what I decide, it looks like I'll be driving 16 hours round-trip to get it!

Thanks again for the comments.

PS. Willl, I think my heart may actually be a little green!

 

[kossetx]

That's funny if your talking about houston, tx. I live here and bought my tractor in waco because it was 2g's less than here in houston. My place is also that way and they delivered it the 45 miles to there. You don't say where you are but if waco is closer, let me know and i'll give ya the salesmans name.

 

[Hosskix]

I'm in Midland, the tractor place in Brenham is where I got the quote from.
(As far as I know, Brenham may be IN Houston by now. 15 years ago Katy was a seperate town!)
Waco is still 6 hours or so away; but that's a couple of hours closer!
PM me the dealer info please.
Always interested in saving an extra buck if I can.

 

[b33b]

I just north of Dallas and could use the name of a dealer that helped you out.

Cal