Need help sizing a new tractor for 3.5 hilly acres.

DCJL · Sep 14, 2007

One dealer suggested a canvas cab with glass windshield and electric windshield wiper. His idea is just getting out of the wind was enough with the heat off the engine enough to keep the operator warm.

IMHO also means In My Humble Opinion. Click on the following Wikipedia link for LOTS of Internet slang phrases.

List of Internet slang phrases - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

BizDoc · Sep 14, 2007

Thank you both for the IMHO definition. I've been wondering about that for a while.

regarding the canvas cab. I looked into a non factory cab prior to selling my TC21D and considered as an option, the soft or hard sided, since the tractor it's self was a very good machine and did everything I needed, but I have not spoken to anyone, either in person or here, that was happy with a non-factory cab. Maybe someone who has a non-factory cab can give some direct insight as to their feelings on the subject.

hazmat · Sep 14, 2007

DCJL said:
Kinda agree on the cab, except for the cold part with the snow flying in your face. That being said I ski and am very use to cold weather so in reality that should not be a problem. Summer heat, here, no problem, I usually just cut the lawn in the early evening. In reality, you probably just made my mind up about the cab. Thanks. Now blue or orange. The NH is a bit bigger/stronger but I kinda believe I'd have less problems with a Kubota. That being said, so far I prefer the NH dealer and the price seems to be more tractor for the money.

Given that you don't want a backhoe...

If you decide you want a factory cab on a small to mid size compact - that pushes you towards the Kubota or perhaps the Deere 3xxx series (which are a bit heavier than the NH more in line with the smaller L series)

If you decide you don't need the cab, any will do & I'd pick based on the best local dealer. Though our New England definition of "local" is 100 miles closer than a Texan's definition...

I thought about a cab, but 1- it wouldn't fit in my garage, 2- it wouldn't fit under my trees, and 3- the only time I've ever really been cold while snowblowing is when the snow changed to substantial freezing rain. My wife was kind enough to buy me a set of carhart bibs & coat to keep me warm. Don't use your ski jacket, you will get grease on it.

With 30HP and the 60" front blower I'm expecting that this winter's snow removal will take 1/3 to 1/2 less time than I spent with my 18HP & 48" rear blower.

crazyal · Sep 14, 2007

Another coworker bought a TC33 from Champlian over in NY. He's never had any issues with it and was happy with the service. My impression of the NH are they seam to be inbetween the B series and the L series as far as weight and you can get a little more HP for the same amount of money.

I have another friend who just bought a NH, I think it's about 40HP. He was told the biggest he could go with Kubota and have a front mount blower was the B3030 and he wanted more HP. He was kind of upset that the Orange dealer he went to was wrong. Both are happy with their NH tractors.

I have to admit that I started off leaning towards the B7800 without a FEL and ruled out the NH just because of price. Now that I'm thinking of selling my BH and I will need a FEL that can go high enough to get over the sides of my dump truck I'll probably look at NH again since I've moved up quite a bit in size. I really like the new GL series tractors so it would be hard to get me to go blue.

Boondox · Sep 17, 2007

DCJL -- I live in the same town at the same elevation. I have 155 acres of which only seven is clear, the rest forested. I'm on my third tractor. The first two were too small: a B1750 and an L3010. But I harvest firewood with mine, which requires a tractor with mass.

My L4630 is strong enough for my needs, but in winter I sure wish I had a cab. Your skiing experience won't help. On a tractor you're not generating body heat, and it just gets wicked cold. Unfortunately, with a low breezeway over the driveway a cab wouldn't work for me.

I've dealt with both local dealers but prefer the one in Berlin for price and the fact they have no problem letting me learn things in their service department. It's rare these days for a service tech to put up with a customer's constant questions and requests to "Do that again so I can take a picture!" They've also walked me thru maintenance issues over the phone. The other dealer is good, but expect to pay for everything there. No free advice. I have no allegiance to orange; if the local blue or green dealers had been as helpful as the one in Berlin I would be driving a Deere or New Holland now.

I bought my excavator in Plymouth NH. Great price, but a complete lack of interest in me after the sale.

The 3030 has a great power to weight ratio, but so do offerings from other brands. If you want to play with the 4630, drop me a PM

Pete

DCJL · Sep 17, 2007

Thanks Boondox, I just PM'd you.

Things have changed a bit. My neighbor has generously offered to plow me for $15/plow! That is almost 1/2 of what I currently pay. If I take off the front snowblower and cab I can save almost $9k and stay warm or asleep instead of out in the storm. I can still get the tractor (CFO has approved it!!!!) with a FEL to clear out the banks when needed on a nice warm sunny day!

It looks like I'll be going blue because of the $. So far a B3030, FEL, block heater and loaded tires is $18,900 versus a TC34DA the same way for $16,200 (but includes a QA bucket) cash price with the $1200 rebate. I'd guess the TC34DA is also more equivalent to a Grand L3540 which would be even more $.

So if I'm going to buy this beast, should I get it with an extra (or 2) remote(s) and should they be rears? I would like to be able to tilt either a BB or rear blade to crown my driveway and create a swale on the side of it for drainage. Sooner or later I'd like to put a grapple on the front also. Should the grapple be with the bucket or forks?

Again everyone, thanks for all of the help. I'm getting VERY close to pulling the trigger on this as I've collected my finances for the tail end of this week.

Boondox · Sep 19, 2007

Don, I have a single pair of rear remotes and absolutely love them! Can't recommend them highly enough. Incidently, I didn't get another pair because I have a mini-excavator that accomplishes much of what I would have used the TNT for. In fact, except for winter, I spend the vast majority of my seat time on the trackhoe.

Anyway, get remotes.

Pete

DCJL · Sep 20, 2007

Well, purchased a TC34DA from Bechcards in Champlain NY. Great people to deal with. Purchased it with turf tires as it will mostly be used to cut lawn, but purchased chains for the winter bucket use after my plow guy does his job. Great price, 17,400 with loaded turf tires, QA bucket, and block heater, then -1200 NH rebate so final cost was 16,200. Closest I found for a Kubota 3030 was 18,785 the same way but without QA bucket. Also got the NH 72" RFM, a 6' Rear blade and a 3pt hitch sander. They threw in 2 rear lights, a 3pt draw bar and welding 3 hooks on the bucket plus (The Kubota dealer wanted $95 per hook) when it came out to 21,655 they rounded it down to 21,600 and then deducted the $1200 rebate for a total of 20,400. After that I had them add a pair of Pats 3pt QR for $175. So the final out the door delivered price for all was $20,575. Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow AM.
Thanks for all of the great help.

crazyal · Sep 20, 2007

Nice. Of course pictures are always welcome, even if it's the wrong color, lol just kidding.

DCJL · Sep 21, 2007

Well, delivery day came and went by WAY too fast. The tractor was delivered as promised at 11am. I was suppose to go to work at 3, but LUCKILY the client called and cancelled!!! Yea team. It came with just .75 hour on it. I now have 5 on it. Did a little digging but not much as I'm waiting on the cutting bar. Mounted the mower which was kinda a pain to get the shaft hooked up. Maybe I just need to get use to it. Did some mowing up and down vs. across like I did on my garden tractor. Ended up scalping a bit till I raised the deck 1" and figured out the floating position etc. Pulled out 2 trees that my wonderful wife has wanted gone for the past 4 years! Tried playing with the rocks a little, but did not want to really push it until I mount the new cutting edge.

All I can say about Bechard's is they are the best. If you're in NY, VT, NH or even Maine check them out. Family run shop, mom and dad still involved, but run by the 3 siblings. GREAT people, great service, great price. Can't say enough about them.

Finally some of the requested images.
1 and 2 are the tractor on the trailer. 3 is myself and Mark standing by the tractor as it is just about to be downloaded. 4 and 5 are the tractor being put thru it's paces, and #6 is a beauty shot of a nice new but now dirty tractor.