JD4310 VS NH TC35

Anonymous Poster · Jan 13, 2003

I am down to deciding between two tractors the JD 4310 w/430 FEL, or the NH TC35 w/LA16 FEL. Price is with in dollars of each other. Feature for Feature they are almost just aloike, except for HP JD is 32, NH is 35. The NH I think has bigger tires R4s. Any input would be great will be pulling the trigger this week.

Thanks
gellison

BillyP · Jan 13, 2003

Both are fine tractors. Have you tried both? Which do YOU like best?

Billy

markie61 · Jan 13, 2003

What BillyP said PLUS what do you think of the DEALER - more important than the tractor.

Mark

jlong · Jan 14, 2003

Gellison,

I made a similar comparison, and found it very useful to compare the machines side by side. I was comparing the 35D to the 4400. When you see them side by side, you can compare the considerable size difference etc...

I choose the 35D, but have not been happy with Dealer or NH. service, so as mentioned before--Service should be a major consideration in your final decision. Comparing just the tractors, I felt I got the most for my money.

Knowing what I know today, I would have bought elsewhere or even a different manufacturer. Good Luck.

Hoeman00 · Jan 14, 2003

I demo'd a 4410 w/ r4 and 72" MMM for 10 days
or so and by chance talked to the local NH dealer
and then demo'd a 35D w/ r4 and 84" MMM for
a week.
The 35D w/ larger mower had more power and could
mow at a faster speed.
The larger size w/ larger tires and if I ever need the
loader it has the SSL quick-tach standard and the
my toys will fit on it.
The SS on 35D really is nice for my mowing and
everything else I do w/ it.
To top off the deal the NH was almost $6000.00
cheaper ($3000 lower tractor price and $3000 more
for my L2900 Kubota).
After having it for 6 months IMO made a very good
choice.

Kyle_in_Tex · Jan 14, 2003

I'm very happy with my 4310 but I agree with most people that the dealer should be the deciding factor. How long have they been in business? How much "stuff" do they stock? How long does it take to get parts? How big is their service department? The list goes on. Ask around about the dealership.
Kyle

Anonymous Poster · Jan 14, 2003

gellison: As others have mentioned, I too just purchased a new tractor which included comparison between NH TC40 & a JD 990 (both 2 liter engine size). While the 990 was a "stronger" tractor (everything, including the gas tank, was metal!) and "looked" more like a tractor, I chose the NH. Why? The 16LA loader has much better lift capacity than the JD (you didn't give the model they are offering you), much better visibility. The access for servicing is better. The hydraulic pump has better capacity. Etc. Etc. Further, the trans was straight out of the 2120 series (in use for almost 20 years). You might check the TC35 engine (out of the 1720 series?) to see how long it has been around. I don't know about the JD 4310, but the 990 uses a two stage clutch vs a single stage on the NH. Clutch replacement (worst case) on the JD was $2000-$2100 vs $1000-$1200 on NH. I believe the repair cost down the line will be higher on the JD. Overall, I respectfully suggest the NH is a bit more heavy duty. That's not to suggest I wouldn't be happy with the JD if somebody gave me one. Finally, the NH have certain anomolies-you might want to check the NH operation/serving section on this board for some common problems (as well as the JD section). Good luck with your choice. JEH

BWS · Jan 14, 2003

if you go n.h.you might want to get the 40[4 cyl].you know you will have to have a temp gauge instld + new models are coming where the manual trany's will have the deluxe pkg[big bonus].i wasnt so happy with the hydro so i went kubota.i like the deere manuals tranys better but that jmho.wouldnt a deere 4510 be more comparable to the tc35??17,800 s/b the tc35 manual an 19,600 for the tc35d both with loader.bws

Anonymous Poster · Jan 14, 2003

Thanks guys for all the input, keep it comeing though, I am going to look at the 4310 today and the TC35 again. I love all the GREAT input/advice.

thanks
Graham

JC4HD · Jan 14, 2003

I went through a similar exercise last year... when the dust settled I owned the JD 4310 for a few reasons! First of all (make sure your comparing tractors of the same hp it looks like you should be comparing a 4410) mounting of attachments seemed to be simpler and faster, more gpm hydralic system (faster cycle times), higher 3pt lift capacity, better pedal arrangement for hydro (my opinion)... on and on and on! MAKE SURE YOU DRIVE THE ONES YOU ARE CONSIDERING and they fit you well! Then there was the Dealer (which, In my opinion is probably the MOST IMPORTANT consideration). I really lucked out here... not only did the best of the dealers I shopped sell JD... they were the closest to my place (KC Canary... Upstate NY)... This is a huge consideration! There have been some threads on this site where tractors were bought far from home that became nightmare experiences... make sure you have a good dealer... the closer the better, and you can't go wrong with either tractor! I love my 4310!

Anonymous Poster · Jan 14, 2003

I have new question. I went to look at the TC35 again today after looking at the JD 4310. The NH dealer is also a Kubota dealer and showed me a L3710 with Shuttle transmision and quoted me the same price as the Deere and NH (17,900 w/ Loader). He also said if I went NH I should go with the TC40. I have now driven all three units. I like all of them. I have some concerns around each though. I looked at the spreadsheet someput out on this board, and it is great. Here are my issues with each, let me know whay yall think.

JD 4310 ePowerReverser Trans, 4WD,430 loader
I think this is a great unit, just not sure about all the fancy electronic gagets to it, Trans, PTO, 4WD engagement?? Looks like nice features but how reliable? (in the long run)

NH TC35/40, LA16 FEL
I like the size but compared to others in its class it seems over framed for the size engine? Quality ??

Kubota 3710 FST, LA682 FEL
I like the driving this unit , It had the FST Trany , and the dealer said you could shift from forward to reverse without using the clutch , is that the case?. Seems like more HP for the $, and seems like less bells and whisles and alittle stronger built (IMO)

Funny thing is that I have heard alot of good said about all these units. I have some friends that swear by Kubota, JD etc. I agree with the Dealer Quality being key though.

Have not made a decision yet though.

Just sitting on a three way fence

gellison

BillyP · Jan 14, 2003

"Trans, PTO, 4WD engagement?? Looks like nice features but how reliable? (in the long run)"

I've had a JD with the PTO engagement switch you are talking about. It has never been an issue.

Push button MFWD has been out for years on trucks. So there's nothing new there.

I don't know about the ePowerReverser but I do have a ehydro with all those electronic gadgets. One is a cruise control and we all know how long that's been out. I don't know much about the Load Match and Speed Match feaures. All I can tell you is they do work.

Billy

BigDave · Jan 15, 2003

Whatever you do...don't visit a Kioti dealer. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Now, before anyone takes offense, this is actually a compliment for Kioti.

JATO_RaT · Jan 15, 2003

As good as the Kubota L3710 is and that is a good price, it's been replaced with a stronger version, the L 3830 more loader, more hydraulic capacity, stronger 3 pt. reclining, armrest seat and a bunch of other features. The difference may well be though that the price for a new L3830 will be considerably more making the L3710 a great buy. The FST transmission is easily shifted between forward and reverse with no clutch. You don't want to be rolling much when you do it though. I use it daily on a L4850 and find it works very nice. Rat..

JATO_RaT · Jan 15, 2003

BD, I like the Coyote Kioti uses for their logo. Have yet to sit and feel a real live Kioti, in fact, I don't even know where the dealer is in my area although I know a quick search would get me one. The last time I was at their website it was a little lacking on info, especially about the loaders and what went where. Looked like a swell tractor company though, it reminded me so much of another company I've seen around but just can't remember who. [[[/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif]]] Rat

markie61 · Jan 15, 2003

<blockquote>In reply to:<hr>

The FST transmission is easily shifted between forward and reverse with no clutch

<hr></blockquote>

Are your sure? I know the GST is no clutch, but I think the FST needs a clutch like most other non-electronic shuttles.

Mark

markie61 · Jan 15, 2003

all the fancy electronic gagets to it
JD - Do a search on the JD owning forum about the operating system issues.

over framed for the size engine
NH - I own a TC40D and weight is GOOD. Compared to the other two, I think it significantly outweighs it. Higher horsepower is good, but if the tires are spinning, it does nothing for you. There are some issues with the NH design (cool running the most significant), but many fewer in the gear-drive versions. I think the loader lift capacity is the highest of these three. Make sure to order the DELUXE 3pt hitch that is optional on the gear drives.

dealer said you could shift from forward to reverse without using the clutch 
On the GST tranny, you shift without a clutch, but the FST requires using the clutch like most non-electronic shuttles. Maybe the dealer said you don't have to STOP to shift with the FST, but that will be the case with all synchronized shuttle shifts. Like the JD, the GST tranny uses electronics to engage the clutch packs for clutchless shifting. As others have said, the 3710 is last year's model and the 3830 is its replacement. EVERYTHING on this unit has been upgraded - higher weight, hp, lift capacities, etc. but you may not get as good of a deal.

Hope this helps,
Mark

BWS · Jan 15, 2003

in my opinion the new kubota 30 series is the most bang for the buck.1850 lift capacity on fel [i think]hydro trany is smooth,the new n.h. models will have the d pkg [ext hitch,folding rops,susp seat,floor mats,ect] offered with the syncro trany[soon].test drives and with time spent on each of the three machines you should be able to start to eliminate a model[or two].bws

Anonymous Poster · Jan 15, 2003

Gellison: Compare apples/apples. Start with engine size (cubic inches), or, PTO hp (thats what gets used to do your work for you). I've looked at the computer chipped JDs. How long are you going to keep it? Do you care about repair costs? It you are going to trade it in a few years (or when the warranty runs out) and don't care about repair bills, the JD computer chipped tractors are slick. I have discussed this with JD mechanics and the REAL purpose (aside from marketing issues) is to reduce warranty costs when the tractor is "abused" by inexperienced people-the chips "track" what you do!!!! There has been mention in this thread of the new Kub 3830s. Please note as mentioned above, the cost to replace the video game dashboard if anything goes wrong is $200-$250. Also the engine has been cut to 3 cylinder (not that that is bad, it's just the 4 cyl is smoother). I very seriously considered the Kubs myself as they are certainly nice tractors. But unless you have lots of money and don't care about what repairs cost, the NH (at least the geared ones) should be less expensive to keep up OVER THE LONG RUN. (Note: the fact someone has not had problems with the doodads in a few hundred hours, does NOT prove long term reliability-imagine trying to find specific chips 15 or 20 years from now when there is only ONE source!). Simple example with the Kub: the hydraulic pump is inside the transaxle case. If that goes out, the thing has to be split open to repair. On the NH, its simply bolted to the engine. And so on. Again, it depends on whether you're planning to keep it a long while and whether you care about long term repair issues. If you arn't and don't, any of the choices mentioned are super. If you do, note that the NH (at least the geared) represent a heritage going back 80 years, from the Fordson, through the 9N, the Jubilee to the 1720, 1920 and 2120 series. The current NH, at least the TC35, TC40, TC45s are the latest evolution in that tradition. As has been mentioned elsewhere, if the price you are getting for the TC40 vs the TC35 is modest that might be a better choice because of the engine size. The chassis, weight etc. are otherwise the same.

BWS: I don't think he can get the "D"eluxe package on the geared for another 6 months or so. The deluxe hitch, optional dual steps, tool box etc can be added individually. As far as guages, the dealer has installed oil pressure, ammeter and temp guage on mine. See my post under "guages".

JEH

JATO_RaT · Jan 15, 2003

I believe it is clutchless even though I don't own one. My experience with the Kubota L4850, a synchro tranny as well is it is clutchless shifting for Forward/Reverse, not for shifting between gears, it works beautifully. The brochue and manual also say this, Rat...