L3130 or TC35 ?

[stovepipe]

I want to thank everyone thus far for their input, now its decision time. I have narrowed down my choices to the Kubota 3130 or the New Holland TC35, mainly because both dealers are nearby. Now, I need some expert advice to help me make that final decision based on the following information.

Budget: 30k delivered

Profile: First Tractor, weekend warrior, not afraid to get dirty, family man, limited mechanical ability.

Usage: 25 acres, mow 4-5 acres, flat to 45 degree terrain, build and maintain a small motocross track, whoops, jumps (5'-6' tall), groom atv trails, remove stumps and rocks, haul logs left over when property was logged, alter some drainage.

Desire: A tractor that is easy to use, easy on/off attachments, easy simple maintenance, safe and fun.

Attachments: Loader, Backhoe, Mower and landscape rake.

Advice: Transmission (HST or Manual), Backhoe mount ?, Mower (mid or rear)?

Can I have my cake and eat it too ?

 

[ledebuhr1]

you cant go wrong with either.

With a 30k budget, you could get a tractor bigger than a L3130 or Tc35. I assume that you want a 3ph mounted Backhoe?? That would be the only way you could have one and still have the landscape rake.
I like mid mowers better, youll need the mid-PTo option for that.
Oh, and HST rules. Its the best for mowing and espically loader work.

Ever thought of a Cab tractor?? you might like it

 

[Moon]

Hi Stovepipe;
You've narrowed it down to two fine tractors. I'm sure either would do the job for you. Have you driven / operated both of them? If so which is more comfortable to you? That would be a major concern on my part.

I do alot of the same tasks with mine that you plan to do with yours. Only I do ATV trails instead of moto cross ones. I have close to five miles of trails I maintain and I mow 4 acres regularly. I bought the Kubota Grand L 3010 and am very happy with it. I've had it 1 3/4 years and nary a problem with it. I boxblade the roads and trails, bush hog and cleared 5 to 10 acres. I run a 5' International bush hog and it eats up multiflorra and small sapplings with ease. It's amazing the work it will do. The FEL has never been off the tractor. I use it for a little bit of everything and would'nt be without one. I do not have a backhoe, but would like one ...just don't have the justification (or cash) to get it. I would like another pond ...but don't need one.
Best advice is to drive both tractors and have them put the back hoe on it and remove it to see how that goes. I went with the rear finish mower on mine and like it just fine. A MMM might be able to stay on for some of the trail work I do, but I prefer the extra clearance I get without a MMM. I have mostly open fields / yard to mow though. Wife uses a smaller mower around the house and in tight spots. With your hills be sure to have the tires filled. It makes a world of difference. My dealer forgot to fill mine so I did the first 50 hours without. I was plesantly surprised at the difference once I had em filled. Made the tractor more stable on hills, but I did not notice the tractor working any harder to move the extra 1200 pounds of liquid. I even had one little grade that one tire would always spin on when mowing (in 2wd), once the tires were filled no more spinning and I didn't have to go into 4wd at all to mow. I use a spud bar to assist with changing impliments and that works okay.
I have R4 tires and HST. I really like my HST, it makes all the work just about effortless. I had an 8N before, no live power and I didn't mind the clutch, but now that I'm used to HST I see no reason to have to mess with a clutch to change from forward to reverse. Or to have to let the clutch out quick on a hill to get moving ..etc. The HST really shines for doing loader work. Your always going forward and back, getting the load and dumping it. HST also makes it easier if your married and your wife ever needs to drive the tractor...as mentioned in a recent thread on here.

Good luck and let us know which one you decide on.

 

[hazmat]

The " strongest" backhoes are sub-frame mounted. Generally these are incompatible with Mid Mount Mowers. So for that reason I'd get the Rear Mower.

Recommend HST - easy as pie to use.

Kubota & New Holland both make a good product. Get the one you like best. How does it fit, how easy to take the backhoe off etc.

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


"Advice: Transmission (HST or Manual), Backhoe mount ?, Mower (mid or rear)?"


Transmission... your preference...
For me... I got the L3130 with the 8-speed manual shift-on-the-go tranny... I really like having the foot throttle... costs less... less complicated... and have heard the HST may not be so great on inclines.. but i don't know 1st hand...

Backhoe mount...
A rigid mount (not a 3-point-hitch mount) is best...
The Kubota BH90 9' backhoe on mine is very very easy to take off... even the 1st time... haven't put it back on yet...

Mower...
I'll say a 3-point-hitch mower is easier/faster to mount/dismount than a mid-mount deck... and there are more choices...
Usually you will not want a mid-mount deck on when doing most loader & backhoe work...

Good luck...


Dave...

 

[BeeFarmer]

Both NH and Kubota make fine tractors. What I would like to talk about from experience is that the TC35 engine is only slightly larger than a TC33 however the engine is placed in a larger frame.... I tested the heck out of both units and found that the 3 Clear engine performed a lot better in a smaller frame. The TC35 just didn't seem to have all the power you might expect after jumping off of a 33 or even jumping off of a 40. One thing I did that really was interesting.. and may not mean nothing to anyone was that I tested these units with a FEL and filled tires on both of them. I ran up on a large boulder with both units and place the FEL on it and with Hydro on both.. I wanted to see which one would do what with the large boulder. The 33 didn't move the rock much at all but did continue to spin the tires "R4s" The 35 with "R4s" die in place.

I also had a belly mower under both.. both of them 6 footers... The mowing was on a hilly area and you can guess the 35 just didn't seem to have the power to do the hills like the 33. Now all the testing I was doing was apple to apple as far as applied power and high\low gearing...

My final decision was based more on frame size when it finally came down to the purchase as all in all the compact size of the 33 was more suited for my needs... HOWEVER... if I would of gone with the larger frame I would jumped over the 35 to the 40 with 4 cylinders and maybe the 45 if it would of had belly mounts at that time.. Hope this isn't anymore confusing. I also like the Super Steer and that's why I didn't go with the Orange .. although.. I did like the orange otherwise.

Good Luck!

 

[frank_f15]

either machine will do u fine, going to come down to persoanl preference. can't advise much on the BH, but i do beleive the frame mounter are a tad stronger,i have RFM but i don't cut lawn with it i cut grass. (fields that i keep cut ) and i can get it off in 3 min and on in five. ilike the ease of removal as i only put it on when i want to cut. MMM would be in my way when doing other stuff. PARTIAL to HST. great for loader work. mho

 

[art]

I am extemely confident with the Kubota line and I also sell the NH only red. I do believe the Kubota is the most reliable of them which gives you lower overall cost to own. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[foreman81]

The loader (la723) on the kubota looks much stronger than the 16la used on the NH and the specs on paper should reflect that. I think the Kubota has more ranges ont their trannies as well (hydro and gear). Kubota would be my choice.

 

[rdam]

I recently purchased an L3830 DT after a final comparison to a NH TC40. The prices were comparable (within $500). Both machines appeared well built. However, the Kubota felt and looked more substantial. The front axle on the Kubota is MASSIVE in comparison to the NH. I also didn't care for the liberal use of plastic on the NH...Just my opinion. With little tractor experience, I relied on information gleaned from TBN and my own observations to decide. This, after I absolutely KNEW I HAD TO HAVE a John Deere.

Still, one of favorite tractors is the NH TC30. Simple, affordable and rugged. I hear of few problems from the owners on TBN. I'd love to find a used one cheap!