Need help deciding btwn BX23 or NH TC24D

JEgan712 · Apr 28, 2004

I was ready to buy a new Kubota BX23, a very nice machine, but I decided to go across the street and just look at the NH tractors and compare (I am a newbie and didn't even know what NH was). So... to make a long story short, I told the NH dealer that I wanted to compare his product with the Kubota and he steered me to the TC24d. He says that the NH is bigger, heavier and will do what I want it to, better than the Kubota. He did not "down" the Kubota and, in fact, agreed that it is a fine machine. I was very impressed with the NH TC24. It "does" look to be heavier and bigger than the BX. It is a nice machine also.

I have 3/4 acre and plan to "improve" the back portion with this machine. It is on grade and some of it is pretty steep so I will have to cut trails for my tractor just to get down to it. I want to be able to regrade, remove small (2 to 6 inch) stumps and carry dirt, gravel and stone up and down the grade. I am a little concerned that the Kubota might not be enough machine but....

Here's the bottom line The Kubota costs $15,900 and it comes with a loader and backhoe. The NH dealer quoted me $17,900 for the TC24d with just the loader. Back hoe costs $6,500 more. Ordinarily, this would be a no-brainer for me and I would go for the Kubota, but I was very impressed with the NH dealer and the TC24 "did" seem to be more machine than the Kubota. So... should I get the Kubota and have both loader and backhoe, or get the New Holland and have to wait a year or two before getting the backhoe. I've been reading this forum since I started looking and it has been a "huge" help. Thanks for all the good advice to date.

Bob_Skurka · Apr 28, 2004

I think the price on the TC24D might be a bit high, so the dealer should be able to sharpen the pencil a bit. By the way, the TC24D is replaced in 2004 with the TC24DA, which has improved headlamps and some other cosmetic changes. So if the dealer is pushing the 24D, it is likely that is the last one he has and should be a bit more flexible on the price???

As for buying the backhoe, I'd save the money and simply rent one when you need it. (I'm sure many will argue this, but I have one for my Kubota and I'd be money ahead if I just rented so I regret spending the money).

As for the comparison between the 2 tractors, you are looking at 2 different animals. The BX is a sub-compact. The TC is a compact. The TC will give you much greater ground clearance in a tractor that is ever so slightly larger. For construction type jobs, the ground clearance comes in very handy and you seem to have a nice list of construction type jobs. The BX will do many of them, but the TC will likely do them easier. For lawn mowing, both are good tractors, the BX is probably a bit better because (I'M GUESSING) it has a slightly tighter turning radius.

To sum it up, the TC is a tractor that will mow the lawn. The BX is a lawn mower that will do tractoring.

To muddy it up, take a look at the Kubota B7610, it is a direct competitor to the NH TC24. Or take a look at the TZ24, it is a sub-compact competitor of the Kubota BX series.

I have a TC24D and absolutely love it . . . if that means anything. I also have a Kubota B2910 and it is a great tractor, but I LIKE it, I don't LOVE it.

Jimbrown · Apr 28, 2004

The TC 24 and BX23 are not side by side comparisons. The TC is larger and can move more dirt faster than the BX. The BX will do what you want to do but might take you a few days longer. I find this to my advantage in that I do not move a lot of stuff too fast and then regret it. I see two issues. Backhoe: do you really need it? I find I really use mine a lot more than I thought and almost never take it off of the machine. And, what are you going to use it for after you fix the 3/4 ac. The BX is smaller and can get to places the TC can not. I have a gated court yard and the BX fits thru the gate a TC will not. and of course money that is why I did not by a TC or a larger Kubota.

Bob_Skurka · Apr 28, 2004

Jimbrown is making an excellent point about fitting into places, and that is something you should consider heavily. The BX23 is 45" wide, the NH is 47" wide. Length is harder to tell, becuase Kubota measures their tractors without the 3pt hitch and NH measures theirs WITH the 3pt hitch. But I suspect the BX is several inches shorter than the TC. The real difference between the two tractors is going to be working ground clearance and depending on your jobs, the TC could be at a major advantage. Really you are the one who is going to tell which machine is better for you, which fits you better, which dealer is better, and which you prefer.

To be honest, I don't think you could make a mistake either way. But I also suggest you look the New Holland "TZ" series tractors and the Kubota B2610 as well. Those machines will give you 2 tractors of each class to consider and will help you with pricing apples to apples.

JEgan712 · Apr 28, 2004

This is great input. Thank you. To clarify, the NH dealer actually gave me two quotes. $17,900 for the 04 model and $16,900 for a "late 03' model". both with loader and hydro trans. By the way, is it a good idea to get the hydro trans?

Also, as I said, I plan to "clean up" my back yard area. It is sloped and real lumpy with brambles and holes in the ground and saplings etc. I need to first, regrade it and then work it to either terrace or at least smooth it out. Not to mention that I have to cut a trail for my tractor. Then, when I get all that done, I want to use it to maintain the property and to give my grandchildren rides in the small trailer that I will get for it. That's about what I want in a tractor. I'm retired and getting too old to be dragging myself and materials up and down that area. Need some help.
Thanks again for your great input. I am leaning toward the NH but would really love to have the luxury of a backhoe.
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Bob_Skurka · Apr 28, 2004

JUST MY OPINION . . . do not even consider a gear drive tractor, hydro transmission is the only way to go for your situation.

I've used both, for anyone new I always recommend hydro. For anyone doing loader work I recommend hydro. For anyone who is not farming I recommend hydro. Now if the budget gets in the way and the NH with the hydro is too expensive, I would suggest the Kubota with the hydro would be a better choice than the NH with gears. And I will admit that a gear tractor can do what a hydro tractor can do. A hydro will do it easier, faster and safer for MOST people for MOST jobs.

Jimbrown · Apr 28, 2004

Having reread what you want to do i am not sure either of these machines will do what you want. Steep slope with saplings, holes, brambles. I visulize my backyard when I lived in Olympia and my BX would not have cut it. Putting either of these small machines on a steep slope is going to scare the beegees out of you. I think you might have to hire or rent a larger machine for you initial clearing , leveling. after that either one should work. The BX probaly is not going to have the ground clearance that you will need.

luvbug · Apr 30, 2004

JEgan 712, You really are compairing apples to oranges with the TC24 and the BX23, as was stated earlier the TC24 is a compact tractor and the BX is a sub compact tractor. They might have the same Hp but they are as different as day and night. You need to compair the TC 24 with the B7610 they are direct competitors with each other. My wife and I compared them both and shoped around with other makes in order to get a good comparison and after 6mo. we went with the B7610. The TC 24 is a very nice tractor but with the new redesign of the TC we found that it now has some flaws we did not like, example the steering wheel is very low and it seemed to be right in your crotch even with the seat all the way back, you now have a higher step on height and seems to not have as much leg room as before. With the loader on you can't see your work area as good as before and finaly with the backhoe attatchment we could not get a MMM which meant we would have to hang one off the back and that makes mowing around the house and trees more challenging. As to your question about a Hydro transmission it is FANTASTIC to have and it makes driving as easy as driving a car so you do not have to select the right gear for the job your are doing, just press the pedal and go. For all these reasons we went with the Kubota 7610 it had more leg room, easier step on height, and still gives a great view while using the FEL and it was still $1800 cheaper than the TC. Either way Good luck on your decision. John Kubota 7610, FEL, MMM,BH,PA plow, Rock rake

BotaGuy · May 3, 2004

I very nearly bought a TC21D a few years back. I think the 24D is the same small NH frame common to the TC18,21,and now the TC24 models. In fact....I had agreed to buy, had the dealer drop off the unit...and then called them to come get it. Why??? Because I got home from work at 10:00 to get a ride on my new toy, and the tractor was EMPTY!!!! I drove it up my drive 700 feet, and back and was not impressed with the short wheelbase compared the Kubota B7500 at the time. The killer was the delivery with NO DIESEL!!!!! So I bought the B7500 and it was great. I still likle the New Hollands, but the pricing is not competitive...and really for no reason. I think the quote you got was extremely high. $16900 for a small frame machine with just a loader???? For 3/4 of an acre, the best bang for the buck is the BX23, or Massey GC2300 TLB.

Good Luck!!

markie61 · May 3, 2004

Man! That dealer has GOT to feel stupid that he didn't do something so small yet important for his new customer. Nowadays, it is expected you will get your expensive motorized toys ready to use - unless you buy it boxed with the explicit understanding you have to prep it.
Mark