Looking for Advice

Kozmo38 · Oct 14, 2004

I have been researching compact and sub compact tractors for a couple of weeks. Having never been in the market before, I am not sure which direction to go.

It will be responsible for a 6 acre yard, light some brush hogging(former pasture converting to yard) a 4 acre yard and snow plowing, in SW PA.

I need to stay at 30 hp or lower since my wife and mother in law will also be using it.

I am currently looking at:

TZ24DA
MF1428
CC7284
B7800
TC30

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

To20Chris · Oct 14, 2004

Welcome to TBN! How big a deck and brush hog did you plan to get? Were you looking at a mid mount mower or a rear finish mower?

Kozmo38 · Oct 14, 2004

I already have a 6' hog and am looking at a 5' rear mount finish mower. I am not against buying a new hog though as I know that the 24's will not handle the size of hog that I have.

Charlie_in_TX · Oct 14, 2004

I will not recomend or knock any of the tractors you are looking at. I will make some recomendations. I always recomend HST for mowing. If the ladies will be using it, don't waste your money on anything else. Get a FEL, you won't regret it. I would also stay under 30hp, I wouldn't be scarred of a 22hp but would probably get a 25er.

As far as tractor to buy, pick the best dealer and by what he sells. The dealer should make you comfy that he knows what he is doing, his shop should be neat and orderly (don't expect spotless they are working on tractors). All the maintainence part (mostly filters) should be stocked. And for me, I like a salesman that uses that brand and can tell you the good without knocking anyone elses offering.

Gatorboy · Oct 14, 2004

I need to stay at 30 hp or lower since my wife and mother in law will also be using it. 

Is this some new rule? I have not heard that wives and mother-in-law's can't run anything over 30 HP. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

To20Chris · Oct 14, 2004

I'm thinking you should keep the 6' hog if it is in good shape, and provided you won't have a lot of stuff to go around/between. That's enough land to take up a bunch of time if you will be cutting it on a regular basis, so maybe look for something that will pull it. I'd be looking at the TC30 (that is if for some reason I could not have a Kioti /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

To20Chris · Oct 14, 2004

Wives can drive anything - mother in laws are limited by law to 30hp. And no spinning blades! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jwstewar · Oct 14, 2004

You have listed the NH TZ24DA and the NH TC30. Any particular reason you missed the Class 1 "D" models? You might want to consider looking at a TC21 or 24DA. A little bit larger then the TZ line. A little smaller then the TC30, but it has the new curved hood and curved loader arms, not to mention the loader will have more capacity then the 7308 on the TC30. But again this is if you are happy with the NH dealer.

Kozmo38 · Oct 14, 2004

There were not any of those at my local dealer. They were really pushing the TZ and the TC30 when we were there. How do they compare price wise?

jwstewar · Oct 14, 2004

When I priced/purchased mine, the 24 was something around 1000 less then the TC30 - I think. It came out pretty close price wise, but the 24 was the cheaper of the two. I ended up with the 24 based upon size. Primary use was mowing and the 24 fit the bill a little bit better even though the 30 would've run a larger deck.

rockyridgefarm · Oct 14, 2004

If you can, look at the Deere 4210-4310. My wife and daughters share mine (theirs!) and it is a great fit for all of us. I pull a 6' cutter and it is a real workhorse...

I think that at least you need to be in the CUTs and not the subCUTS...

Kozmo38 · Oct 14, 2004

I appreciate the info on the deere, but I found it to be pricy in comparison to all of the others. Maybe it was just the dealer that I visited.

Is there a place to find MSRP? I do not believe that it is on the website.

Kozmo38 · Oct 14, 2004

ROckyridge:

I see you are from Pittsburgh originally. That is where I am looking. I do not know how long you have been gone, but do you know any dealers in the area that are reputable?

rockyridgefarm · Oct 14, 2004

NO! I have been away too long!

I found my dealer using the dealer locator on Deere's web site. I sent out email price solicitations, and this dealer was significantly lower than the others.

There is also JD Equipment in London OH/ They always get high marks, though I think owners are best served dealing locally...

I will pm another member (timb) who is in SW PA, he was able to do welll locally.

ronjhall · Oct 14, 2004

The B7800 is a great machine for mowing. A 6' hog would be on the large size for the B7800.
The 6' MMM is a great attachment for the Wife and MIL to operate. You may be missing some trees and shrubs after they use a RFM. Whether you get a MMM or RFM consider the 6' it will get the job done sooner.

timb · Oct 14, 2004

Kozmo38 -

I got Mike's note - I hadn't spotted this thread yet. Welcome to TBN. There's actually a good number of TBN'rs from western PA here.

I bought my Deere thru Lone Maple out in New Alexandria (on 119 just south of 22). The price was decent if not spectacularly low at first glance (nearly exactly 15% off list before any rebates) but - there were 'hidden' benefits - example this dealer picks up and drops off free for the first year if you have warranty work, the charges for the options I had installed (don't believe there was any additional labor fee beyond the basic tractor setup fee) - little things like that. Plus I thought they seemed to be pretty good guys to deal with. They went to fairly extreme measures to come up with the tractor I wanted. (They had to get it in from Vermont as Deere had already stopped production of the 4710's at that point) They had it in and were installing the options I wanted before I actually signed anything - just a handshake.

They also took the time to go over things pre and post delivery, etc.,. I haven't had nearly enough opportunity to put hours on yet but I haven't found a single thing that was not set up, adjusted, or done correctly. Also haven't had any warranty or other issues yet so can't say how followup will be but so far I'd give them a definite thumbs up. Ask for Pat.

Even got plenty of hats. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif And today my 'Owner's Edition' hat showed up. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jfdlaw · Oct 14, 2004

I echo the statement that you should stay cut and not sub-cut. I would cross the TZ off the list. Check the NH TC24 or the Case version. It's a more modern machine than the TC30 with features that are more user friendly for the mother-in-law. Definately go Hydro. I just bought a B2410, so I obviously like orange, but I think the loader on the TC24 is better designed. I spent a year with the Deere 4200 (predecessor to the 4210) and loved it. I think I would look at B-series (7800/2910/2410 etc) , Deere 4415 or 4210 or TC24. I have no experience with the other brands, so I can't comment on them.

You and your wife should drive them all and see which is more comfortable for you. Meet the dealers and their service staff. Make a decision based on both considerations.

Good luck, I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you choose.

MikeFromVA · Oct 15, 2004

( I think I would look at B-series (7800/2910/2410 etc) , Deere 4415 or 4210 or TC24. )

I believe that he means JD 4115 (which is 24HP like some of the others).

bczoom · Oct 15, 2004

( I already have a 6' hog and am looking at a 5' rear mount finish mower )

Kozmo38.
Welcome to TBN.
Which tires are you planning on getting? There are several of us who have gotten rid of the rear finish mower if running R1 tires. The tires are a little too hard on the yard unless it's very dry and hard. Due to the mower, you may want to get R4's.
In that winter is approaching, you should also be looking for a 6' blade for moving snow.

Kozmo38 · Oct 15, 2004

I was planning on running R4's. I figured R1's would be hard on the yard and terfs would be less than adequate plowing snow. Does anyone think that I will need chains on the R4's for plowing. The max depth of snow that I have plowed was about 8 inches.

Thank you to anyone that has responded so far.