Need help...looking for our first tractor...

[IslandTractor]

I deal with a similar sized property and similar tasks (minus road maintenance) with my Kioti CK20. I would not hesitate to recommend that or another 20-25hp tractor for your purposes. You need to experience the capabilities of tractors in this size range before jumping to the bigger machines. For the same $$$ outlay you can get a tractor and specialized implements to help get the job done rather than just the base 30+hp tractor. So, if budget is a consideration (usually is /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif) then consider a beefy 20-25 hp machine from Kioti, Mahindra, TYM as well as the obvious Kubota and NH. JDs are pretty pricy in that range but obviously fine machines too.

Photo shows my CK20 with QA Millonzi grapple and Brush Hog. I'd guess you could buy this for the same price as you'd spend for a base 30hp tractor plus FEL. A 21hp tractor plus grapple will work the pants off a 30hp tractor with FEL when it comes to brush clearing or moving trees. It will do the same job mowing or on road maintenance but will use slightly smaller implements so might take a bit longer but for the amount of land you are working it would be insignificant.

 

[IslandTractor]

I deal with a similar sized property and similar tasks (minus road maintenance) with my Kioti CK20. I would not hesitate to recommend that or another 20-25hp tractor for your purposes. You need to experience the capabilities of tractors in this size range before jumping to the bigger machines. For the same $$$ outlay you can get a tractor and specialized implements to help get the job done rather than just the base 30+hp tractor. So, if budget is a consideration (usually is /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif) then consider a beefy 20-25 hp machine from Kioti, Mahindra, TYM as well as the obvious Kubota and NH. JDs are pretty pricy in that range but obviously fine machines too.

Photo shows my CK20 with QA Millonzi grapple and Brush Hog. I'd guess you could buy this for the same price as you'd spend for a base 30hp tractor plus FEL. A 21hp tractor plus grapple will work the pants off a 30hp tractor with FEL when it comes to brush clearing or moving trees. It will do the same job mowing or on road maintenance but will use slightly smaller implements so might take a bit longer but for the amount of land you are working it would be insignificant.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Of course the Mahindras are utility tractors and weigh a lot more.)</font>
Not really. 35HP machines are not really considered utility tractors. These Mahindras are still compacts, just heavy.

I think Mahindra markets some of their tractors, calling them utility tractors, to make people think they are more than they are. I wouldn't call any 35-40 HP tractor a utility any more.

I think that in todays world, one has to get higher than about 50 HP to begin the utility designation.

Yes, the Mahindras are heavier than the typical compact, but that doesn't make them utility class.
John

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Of course the Mahindras are utility tractors and weigh a lot more.)</font>
Not really. 35HP machines are not really considered utility tractors. These Mahindras are still compacts, just heavy.

I think Mahindra markets some of their tractors, calling them utility tractors, to make people think they are more than they are. I wouldn't call any 35-40 HP tractor a utility any more.

I think that in todays world, one has to get higher than about 50 HP to begin the utility designation.

Yes, the Mahindras are heavier than the typical compact, but that doesn't make them utility class.
John

 

[KiotiJohn]

For your property you could easily get by with a CK 20/25/30.

I work at least that much property with no problem with my CK20, and moving a lot of timber has been one of the things I do.

I would actually recommend you get at least the CK25 for the larger frame (equal to the 30) and extra features that make it an easier machine to use (telescoping hitch arms and stabilizers etc).

Kioti has some very good financing offers. It's your money, but it's never a great idea to put nothing down. Your monthly payments will be higher and you'll pay more overall interest.

Sell off anything you don't need and put it to the down payment!
John

 

[KiotiJohn]

For your property you could easily get by with a CK 20/25/30.

I work at least that much property with no problem with my CK20, and moving a lot of timber has been one of the things I do.

I would actually recommend you get at least the CK25 for the larger frame (equal to the 30) and extra features that make it an easier machine to use (telescoping hitch arms and stabilizers etc).

Kioti has some very good financing offers. It's your money, but it's never a great idea to put nothing down. Your monthly payments will be higher and you'll pay more overall interest.

Sell off anything you don't need and put it to the down payment!
John

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Going back to the original question, in any comparision between the NH TC30 and the Kioti CK30, you should find the CK30 to be the superior tractor in features, comfort and power. The TC30 is an old design, it is reliable as all heck, but it is virutally a modern rendition of an antique design. The operator's platform is cramped and not the best for ergonomic design. The tractor, even dressed up with a load of options, is still pretty basic.

The CK30 is modern and a seemingly good machine. I've never worked either the CK30 or the TC30, but I've been on both and the CK30 would win the contest. Now if you want to throw a TC29 or TC31 into the mix, then the NH would compare very favorably with the CK30, but those NH machines are going to blow your budget and the CK30 is probably going to be the best overall choice for you.

As for calling the small Mahindras "utility" tractors, well that is pretty much what I would expect from the Mahindra marketing department. They use a lot of misleading statistics in their brochures to make their tractor specs appear to be stronger than they are. Other brands are guilt of this too (Kioti does it for their loaders), but Mahindra seems to have written the instruction manual on how to mislead consumers. That is not to say there is anything wrong with the tractors. My complaint is against the marketing people at the various manufacturers.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Going back to the original question, in any comparision between the NH TC30 and the Kioti CK30, you should find the CK30 to be the superior tractor in features, comfort and power. The TC30 is an old design, it is reliable as all heck, but it is virutally a modern rendition of an antique design. The operator's platform is cramped and not the best for ergonomic design. The tractor, even dressed up with a load of options, is still pretty basic.

The CK30 is modern and a seemingly good machine. I've never worked either the CK30 or the TC30, but I've been on both and the CK30 would win the contest. Now if you want to throw a TC29 or TC31 into the mix, then the NH would compare very favorably with the CK30, but those NH machines are going to blow your budget and the CK30 is probably going to be the best overall choice for you.

As for calling the small Mahindras "utility" tractors, well that is pretty much what I would expect from the Mahindra marketing department. They use a lot of misleading statistics in their brochures to make their tractor specs appear to be stronger than they are. Other brands are guilt of this too (Kioti does it for their loaders), but Mahindra seems to have written the instruction manual on how to mislead consumers. That is not to say there is anything wrong with the tractors. My complaint is against the marketing people at the various manufacturers.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Not really. 35HP machines are not really considered utility tractors. These Mahindras are still compacts, just heavy )</font> </font><font color="blue" class="small">( I wouldn't call any 35-40 HP tractor a utility any more.
)</font>

I agree.

I tend to group 0-19hp as SCUT, 20-39 as CUT, and 39-80ish as utility, and 80+ as ag.. with the distinction.. that you may have a small ag.. or big utility tractor based on frame size and not specifically ont he HP range.. etc.. ( a ford 8000 only has a cat 2 hitch... yet has 115 hp, weighs 4 tons, and deffinately qualifies as an AG tractor in my mind.

Some people go based on 3pt category size..
cat0 scut
cat1 cut
cat 2 utility ( some big cat2 may be on the border of ag )
cat3 ag etc..

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Not really. 35HP machines are not really considered utility tractors. These Mahindras are still compacts, just heavy )</font> </font><font color="blue" class="small">( I wouldn't call any 35-40 HP tractor a utility any more.
)</font>

I agree.

I tend to group 0-19hp as SCUT, 20-39 as CUT, and 39-80ish as utility, and 80+ as ag.. with the distinction.. that you may have a small ag.. or big utility tractor based on frame size and not specifically ont he HP range.. etc.. ( a ford 8000 only has a cat 2 hitch... yet has 115 hp, weighs 4 tons, and deffinately qualifies as an AG tractor in my mind.

Some people go based on 3pt category size..
cat0 scut
cat1 cut
cat 2 utility ( some big cat2 may be on the border of ag )
cat3 ag etc..

Soundguy