My head is spinning! NH vs Chinese?

rockyridgefarm · Apr 9, 2004

Any purchaser needs to consider total cost of ownership. Not to many owners can accurately tell you what theirs is. If a tractor needs work, getting back to the dealer or finding someone to fix it or fix it myself all incur costs that are seldom factored in.

I see prices on used machines that look like a great buy, nut once configured as mine is end up costing the same or more. The same goes for chinese. I have posted this before, but Nortrac Jimna 30Hp with loader and backhoe is MORE EXPENSIVE than I paid for my 32 Hp Deere setup.

I had a tractor that required me to do the work on it. It was a nice machine, but I needed something to get work done with. Some folks like equipment they can tinker with. (OK, Soundguy likes a fleet of them...) Some don't/

Both cost something, what do you want to pay?

songhunter · Apr 12, 2004

I agree with AndyM. I love my NH TC18! It has ample power to handle my four-foot implements, and the weight makes it easy to tow to the work site on a single axle trailer.

Libertine · Apr 13, 2004

VaTractorGirl:
1) One benefit to buying a chinese tractor no one has mentioned is that a good piece of the money will end up in the hands of the chinese government, and they need the money to bribe US politicians to get better nuclear & missle technology. Think of the good deed you'd be doing . . .
2) Seriously, if your major immediate concern is grading work, why not contract it out until you make up your mind on a tractor as someone else suggested.
3) Have you considered used? An old 8n or Ferguson from the 50s with 3pt will handle 5 acres easy (unless you need a BH). It will cost no more than a chinese tractor, parts are available, they are easy to get worked on, etc. And, they won't depreciate much if any.
4) If you do go with your own grading and have a lot of it to do, consider a roll over blade in lieu of a straight box blade. These flip to rippers only, then "roll over" to box blade only for BOTH grading and back filling. I've used both and they are worth the price (about 3 times a straight box blade).
5) If you must go third world, look at Mahindra (the ones made in India). They are based on designs from IHC from the 60s, are very solid, some parts are even available from CNH. They cost very little more than a chinese tractor, american designed, good quality. Their only drawback is the technology is older.
Take care & good luck.
JEH

SteveH_CT · Apr 13, 2004

Better take a look in the NH Buying section... this question got settled several days ago with a real nice NH tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif