Need help with final choice

RexT · May 13, 2005

I'm at the last hurdle in this too long race to make a decision over a new tractor, however, I have final narrowed it down to two models, either the Kubota B3030 or the NH TC33DA. Both have their plus and minus factors, especially on price. I have a very good price on the NH. It has hydro, supersteer, 15LA quick attach loader, and 5"rotary cutter for just over 21K while the kubota in right at 18K with similar equipment. I like the extra weight and power of the NH, plus the seat seems a tad more comfortable. Both seem to be similarly equipped. I like the reputation of kubota and the reliability. I also like the smaller size since I'll be using it a lot in heavy woods. I have always owned JD so this is a new experience for me (JD was just to expensive this time). I am comfortable with both dealers, however the NH dealer is a little more established but a long drive for service by about 50 miles. I just wonder if the NH is worth the 3k difference? I also plan for this to be the last tractor I pruchase so I want something I can depend on plus get the most tractor for the dollar. I always read in post that bigger is better and I don't want to have buyer remorse for not spending a little more and getting a more useful tractor. I would appreciate any comments either pro or con. I would especially appreciate info on the loaders. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bob_Skurka · May 13, 2005

I've got a New Holland and a Kubota so maybe I can lend some help. The Kubota I have is the B2910, it is the model that has been replaced this year by the B3030. My NH is the TC24D, so it is a full frame size smaller than the TC33. I have been on both the B3030 and the NH TC33DA (without the SS option) in the past 45 days.

The two machines are radically different. The TC33 has 10% more hp if you need/want it. The TC33 weighs more by a good margin. The TC33 has an amazing loader that is much stronger. So from the capacity standpoints, you are getting more, and paying more for the extra power/capacity/weight. I think the TC33 is also laid out better, I like the loader control better and while I think both have very good ergonomics I think the TC33 has the edge. . . but that is just a personal opinion. Some folks with SuperSteer don't like it for loader work, others say you just get used to it. Personally I've never used it so I don't know.

Now the B3030 has been improved over the B2910 and I like the B3030. Kubotas have the best engines in the industry and run very smooth, but I don't know if they actually hold up longer. The 3030 is an ultra-light tractor, the TC33 is not as heavy as a Kubota L3130 but it is still pretty heavy. I would think it would be more fair to compare an L3130 to a TC33 (at which point the L3130 would have greater weight and greater capacities but 1 less HP).

Personally, I like the loader of the NH so much better than any brand on the market right now that if FEL work is a big part of your work, I would favor the NH. But at a $3000 difference, only you can tell if it is worth it. And I guess my question is what is the difference between the L3130 with 723 loader, and the TC33 LA15 loader since those are more evenly matched machines. Also the TC33 you are considering has SuperSteer and that is an expensive option that is adding about $1000 to that price difference between the machines.

Here is a photo of a NH versus Kubota loader comparision in my driveway. Again these are not exactly comparable to the two machines you are looking at, but it shows you the radical difference in view. Kubota B2910 & TC24

RexT · May 13, 2005

Thank you for helpful info and pictures. I did consider the Kubota L3130 but felt it was just a little to big and was underpowered for the weight. Had to move to the 3430 to what seems like a better weight/poer ratio. The dealer strongly suggested a 3830 but that was way out of my price range. I want a tractor heavy enough to handle the 5' rotary cutter but not so light that I have to leave the FEL on to do so. The kubota dealer felt that would be the problem with the B3030. Even with a quick attached FEL he was doubtful that I could drop the bucket and still safely handle the cutter. Might be the reason he was pushing the 3830. I plan on buying a Bushhog SQ600 to mow my pastures and don't want the front end bouncing all over the place ( the property can be a little rough in places). I feel that the TC33DA should be about the same weight as the old JD850 I had and it handled a 5' rotary cutter well. I also prefer the visibilty of the NH whe the FEL is attached. Quess I've talked myself into a NH now I just have to talk my wife out of the extra 3K !! Any opinions on the NH backhoe? I'm also considering that also, the dealer seems to have a love affair with Woods. I did not price the NH backhoe but the Woods he quoted as $5900 installed. A kubota BH for the 3030 was $6200. Any thoughts?

Bob_Skurka · May 13, 2005

Any opinions on the NH backhoe? I'm also considering that also, the dealer seems to have a love affair with Woods. I did not price the NH backhoe but the Woods he quoted as $5900 installed. A kubota BH for the 3030 was $6200. Any thoughts? 

I'm a big fan of mini-excavators instead of backhoes so I'll leave the backhoe advice to someone who won't simply talk about all the negatives. I'm in the minority opinion on backhoes, so you'll find help from others who actually like theirs.

 I've talked myself into a NH now I just have to talk my wife out of the extra 3K !! 

JUST REMEMBER, WHEN TALKING TO WIVES, YOU HAVE TO SELL THEM ON THE COST SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH SPENDING MORE . . . Simply point out that buying too small is actually going to be a waste of money since it won't be able to do the jobs. Spending $3K less and getting a tractor that will do 70% of the jobs is a waste of $18K. But spending $21K and getting a tractor that will do 100% of what needs to be done is actually going to save you from abusing the smaller machine and breaking it. In the long run you'll spend less on repair bills. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Henro · May 13, 2005

I'm a big fan of mini-excavators instead of backhoes so I'll leave the backhoe advice to someone who won't simply talk about all the negatives. 

I would say that like Bob, I am a fan of smal excavators too. But I can't afford to own one, so I have to be happy with my little backhoe on the back of my tractor... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

For me renting would be a losing proposition and if I decided to rent rather than buy the backhoe, the only certain thing is that I would not have ever got done what I have so far, by having the backhoe to use for this and that, when this and that are minor projects. If you have a use for a backhoe, a backhoe on the back of a tractor can be a winning proposition.

Many people have Woods backhoes on their tractors. On mine I chose to go with the same color as the tractor. My reasoning was if I were to sell later (I won't) it might appeal to the buying party to see the loader, tractor and backhoe all with the same name on them. The other concern was warranty issues if they should come up. Less finger pointing if one source makes everything.

Had I rented something for every small job I have done with my backhoe I would have spent more than it cost by now. I don't doubt this for a second. I also know however, I would never have rented something to do every small job, so those small jobs would still be waiting and our place would not be at the point it is today. Not that it is anything to brag about...

For a few major jobs, it likely makes sense to rent...

As to the question of whose backhoe to put on your tractor...being objective...well, in the end it probably does not matter too much one way or the other... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

JimMorrissey · May 13, 2005

I'd get the 3030 without a doubt /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Check the number of posts in NH, then compare to the Kub group /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Tom_H · May 13, 2005

Supersteer is amazing, but is it something you absolutely need? Supersteer was designed for vineyards so that the tractor could do a 180 degree pivot at the end of a row; the value of planting a couple of extra feet at the end of each row was worth more value to the vintners who asked the engineers to design it. With an HST you have the ability to go back and forward so quickly that you can still do quick tight turns. Is the supersteer worth the extra cost to you? Only you can say.

Kubota has a reputation for reliability. NH was recently acquired by Fiat. My local dealer carried both Kubota and NH. When Fiat bought NH, he dropped them due to the fact that he felt they had substandard products and management systems. On the other hand, the TC33D has been around enough years to work out bugs. Though the B3030 replaces another B series unit, it is brand new and any bugs haven't had time to show up.

Bob_Skurka · May 13, 2005

NH was recently acquired by Fiat. 

Wasn't that almost a decade ago?

As for the company, Case/New Holland, it is the money making division of Fiat, and very likely will be sold, possibly in a managment buyout of the company. They are also the largest producers of tractors and farm equipment in the world.

DmansPadge · May 14, 2005

I think that both are great machines and you can't go wrong with either one. I'm a bit partial to Kubota just because I have a B series that I love. Although I haven't logged that many hours on it, it has performed great without any trouble at all. It is also capable of more than I expected.

Reading your post though reminded me of something I told my co-workers recently. At work we have a NH backhoe (don't remember the model #) that has been used and ABUSED! It is about 5 years old, around 4000 hrs and has been operated by people that haven't the slighted clue how to correctly operate it. The only repairs that have been done were directly related to operator error and no fault of the machine. We were talking about my Kubota and I told the guys "If I ever buy another tractor.. I'm going to get a NH." "If that backhoe can handle what it has been put through, I couldn't ever tear up a NH tractor!"

If you were to see the backhoe you would think it's 20 years old. I think the first week they had it they busted the grill out. Knowing how bad it would be abused, we made another out of 1/4" plate and it didn't take them any time to bash it up as well.

Bottom line... I have a Kubota that I love, but, I would not hesitate to but a NH at all! I think it boils down to whatever you like best. 3k is a chunk of change but when you are spending that much... I would even consider it if the NH is really what you want.

Good luck! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tom_H · May 14, 2005

( NH was recently acquired by Fiat. 

Wasn't that almost a decade ago?)

You may well be correct. I am relating what my local dealer said to me about a year ago which was about a year after he dropped NH. 5 yr. ago, I thought long and hard about a TC33D with supersteer from him before finally going with a BX2200. I liked the TC a lot but the BX was probably better suited to my needs. If I had the $, I'd love a TC45DA with supersteer. I think Rex has a lot of factors to look at from both sides.