Just priced a loader for a TC29D

Mosey · Feb 27, 2002

I just inquired about the cost of adding a loader to my TC29D. It turned out to be much higher than I thought. The loader is $4000 and the control valves for it is $600, for a total of $4600. I’m guessing that most of you that have loaders probably bought it at the same time you bought the tractor. Has anyone added one later? Does that price seem right?

If that price is right, then it's more than I can justify for amount of time I'd use it. Do used ones ever turn up, or is that unheard of? What about non-NH loaders, are any available that have a quick attach system for a more reasonable price?

If I can't get a loader for less than $3000, then I think I'd rather go find an old antique (Allis Chalmers, Farmall, Oliver, etc) with a loader (as long as it’s not a trip bucket). As long as it ran good enough to do some loader work it might be handier to have 2 tractors. For example, I could use the Boomer to pull the trailer and the antique to load the trailer. Or would I just spend too much time working on the antique? I have to admit I’m sort of looking for an excuse to buy and antique since I’ve always wanted one.

Bird · Feb 27, 2002

Danny, I got my loader at the same time as the tractor ($2,900), and my cousin got his loader at the same time as the tractor (TC29D), but I don't know what the cost of his loader was. However, your price seems way too high to me. I would have expected at least $1,000 to $1,500 less than that, but of course, I haven't been pricing them and am only guessing.

BKColeman · Feb 27, 2002

Danny,
That price sounds about right from my latest experience. I just signed the papers on a TC 40D. I had been dealing with the total package price, which sounded right to me, but when I signed the papers, everything was broken down. The dealer had $5700 for the loader. That included the 17LA loader, the control valves, the 72" HD quick-attach bucket, toothbar, and 3 welded-on bucket hooks in the price. It was much higher than I expected, although like I said, the overall price was exactly what I expected, which was all I care about.

By comparison, when pricing a JD 4410, the 430 loader was only $3200 w/ HD bucket. But the overall package price of the tractor w/ loader came out about the same. I don't think $3200 included the valves though, it must have been in the tractor price.

--Brad

Vermonster · Feb 27, 2002

That's a bit high--sounds like you're getting hit because you didn't buy the loader with the tractor. When I bought my 7308 FEL with my TC29S tractor, the FEL was priced out separately at $2,900.

spencer200 · Feb 27, 2002

just so you know cost on a 7308 loader with 60" hd bucket and valve is 3098.00. we often sell them for 2900.00 when sold with a tractor at the same time because NH offers a 300.00 settlement allowance when sold with a tractor. if you bought your tractor less than 6 months ago NH will usually honer that 300.00 settlement allowance if your dealer does a little arm twisting for you. installation time takes about 4-5 hours so your dealer should be able to sell you this loader for between 3400-3600.00 depending on how rich he thinks he needs to get of you! good luck!

John_Mc · Feb 27, 2002

If you can't get a more reasonable deal on your NH 7308 loader (as others have noted, $4600 seems awful high. Take a look at a Woods model 1012 loader. That's what I bought with my TC33D. It fits well, lifts more and has greater rollback and dump angles than the 7308. I believe it cost me about $3200 w/ heavy duty bucket (I was quoted $3000 for the 7308 loader). This may open up your options to look at other dealers, or work as bargaining power with your existing dealer.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 28, 2002

Het Brad,

I'm close to buying and am considering the JD4410 vs. NH35D.

What made you pick the NH over the deere. I have also found pricing to be very close.

Any comments?

BKColeman · Feb 28, 2002

Why I chose the NH over JD?

1) Dealers - JD dealers were very much interested in selling me what was on the lot, not what I wanted. I even had one dealer tell me he thought the 4000 ten series would have problems because of all of the new electronic stuff. Another dealer was so sure he had the sale, after giving me a quote, he jumped up to call JD and get availability, probably to order. I had to tell him to sit back down, as he was $1600 higher than the other 2 JD dealers I talked with.

2) Tractor- the TC40D felt much smoother to me than the JD, although the 35D was about the same (as the JD). The 40 has 4 cyl and it just felt better to me. Maybe just psychological.

3) Creature comforts- I liked the seat much better, Dual Power joystick, and I really preferred the layout of the levers on the fenders instead of beside the seat. The 4410 is a little better than the 4400 in this regard, but still not like NH.

4) Quick attach bucket - I liked the NH's bucket better than the JD's. Originally I liked the JD better (after watching their free video), but after having both dealers demonstrate taking the bucket off and putting the forks on, this moved to NH's column.

There were a few other intangibles that also pulled me to NH, but those are things I can put my finger on. I think being nervous about being a field tester for the new JDs was in the back of my mind too, especially since the 4000s had some growing pains in the beginning. That may not be fair, but after I didn't care for any of the JD dealers, that became a bigger issue. Plus SuperSteer is cool! /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

On the JD's side, I really liked how the loader came off better. I didn't have the NH dealer demonstrate it (the tractor was already sold so I didn't ask), but he explained it to me. The JD dealer did show me and I was impressed. Also, I think the JD's size is slightly smaller, which was a plus for me as I will be doing some finish mowing with it. But this difference wasn't as apparent in my test drives as it was in my spreadsheet, maybe partly due to the Boomer's sloped hood.

Whew! My longest post yet! I bet you're sorry you asked. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. I spent 2 years researching, test drove NH, JD, and Kubota, and got quotes from 2 NH dealers and 3 JD dealers. I've got lots of opinions, but they might not be right /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif.

--Brad
TC 40D on the way!/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 1, 2002

Thanks Brad,

We seem to have picked up on similar issues when comparing.

I have been looking for about 2 years also. I sold my old big ugly John Deere 3010 backhoe 3 years ago in anticipation of picking up a compact utility tractor. It's long overdue.

I'm leaning way to the New Holland side right now. I'll probaly sign the docs next week on a TC35D, R-4s, w/ 16 LA loader !. A part of the decision is the cost. I'll pay almost $ 1500 less for the NH ( hydro - deluxe ) over a 4410 Deere with a gear transmission. The Deere hydro is almost $ 1500 more !!!

I found the Deere dealers to have that 'buy it or don't ... I don't care' attitude. I wonder why they seem to be forgetting simple salesmanship and customer service. This is so important in such a competitive market, especially when their products cost more !!

Thanks again Brad, I appreciate the comments.

Sooper

Anonymous Poster · Mar 5, 2002

I was just quoted $3250 for A NH 7308 FEL that (fits the TC29) if I get it with the tractor. It would be $3550 if I were to buy it later. This is probably with a light duty bucket. I had assumed this included control valves. This is in Maryland.