Buying Advice New Holland Opinions

TroySD · Jun 1, 2011

Guys,

I'm looking into a nice package deal on a New Holland tractor. I currently scoop snow with my 1946 M(narrow front, F10 Loader...)and now I'm realizing my 1050 Cub Cadet takes entirely too long to mow 4 acres with. Especially after we get rain after rain. So here is where I'm at now. I'm looking for opinions on which way to go on the tractor choices. I've pretty much narrowed down that these are the two tractors that I will choose between. I'm going to travel 700+ miles to get the package as the prices around here are substantially higher. ie Farmall 50 with loader for $29000....

Here's the package:

NH Boomer 35, 240TL Loader 6' Bucket, Howse Rotary Mower 6', 6' Box Scraper
$21300

or

NH Boomer 50, 250TL Loader 6' Bucket, Howse Rotary Mower 6', 6' Box Scraper
$24500

Uses: (% of Time)
Mowing 40% (4-5 acres)
Snow Removal 40% (1.5 miles of road, 900' driveway) (also have a truck with a plow on it for most of the plowing but need something to stack piles with)
Dirt Work for Box Scraper/Loader 20%

The other question is for $900 more I could go with a Bush Wacker finish mower, instead of the rotary Howse. Its all mainly grass mowing...which way would you go?

Also both of these are Gear Driven Tractors, anybody have any real reason to not go with Gear Driven over a HST for my uses?

Opinions Needed!!!
TIA
__________________
Troy

Sublifer · Jun 1, 2011

4 acres but 900' of driveway? If its just 4 acres, then 35 HP ought to be plenty. Also, for your usage, Gear tranny is fine. There are those here that insist hydro but for steady speed work, gear is tops.

You didn't mention where you're at, but if you've got a dealer around, I'd take a look at LS tractors. Myself and others who have found LS think they're great tractors and you can get some very good deals on them. Dealer locator: LS Tractor USA

Besides, the Boomer 50 and Boomer 35 are rebadged LS tractors anyway.

Compact-Tractors-and-Commercial-Mowers New Holland New-Boomer-Compact-Tractors - Models, technical data and characteristics
LS Tractor USA

If you can find more pics of the Boomer 50, compare it to my LS pics here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/208946-built-steel-sunshade.html#post2392737

Sublifer · Jun 1, 2011

Oh, and if you just want to know the grass down, the rotary will be quickest (but ugly) the finish mower will do the grass like a lawn but you generally have to run em slower

Travesh · Jun 1, 2011

The 35HP range sounds about right for your property. I've got a 45HP 2008 Boomer with rear finish mower and can't imagine using it for all my mowing. It's good for the wide open areas.

HST is very nice for loader work and close quarters (precise positioning) operation. Mowing, rear blade/box work, and snow plowing/blowing should all be fine with gears. Depends how much you plan to use that loader.

So I'd probably go for the 35 and spend the money you save on implements. Either a mid-mount mower or rear finish mower, bush hog for rough areas, blade or box, etc.

Travesh · Jun 1, 2011

I now see your comment about mowing in wet conditions. Weight is your enemy in that situation and it would be nearly impossible not to scuff or rut up your ground.

You might be better off paring back the finish mowing to a couple acres (with a dedicated mower) and using a bush hog to keep the rest as well maintained pasture.

I'm not sure anything mows large areas of wet grass/ground very well.

jdbnh · Jun 1, 2011

TroySD said:
Guys,

I'm looking into a nice package deal on a New Holland tractor. I currently scoop snow with my 1946 M(narrow front, F10 Loader...)and now I'm realizing my 1050 Cub Cadet takes entirely too long to mow 4 acres with. Especially after we get rain after rain. So here is where I'm at now. I'm looking for opinions on which way to go on the tractor choices. I've pretty much narrowed down that these are the two tractors that I will choose between. I'm going to travel 700+ miles to get the package as the prices around here are substantially higher. ie Farmall 50 with loader for $29000....

Here's the package:

NH Boomer 35, 240TL Loader 6' Bucket, Howse Rotary Mower 6', 6' Box Scraper
$21300

or

NH Boomer 50, 250TL Loader 6' Bucket, Howse Rotary Mower 6', 6' Box Scraper
$24500

Uses: (% of Time)
Mowing 40% (4-5 acres)
Snow Removal 40% (1.5 miles of road, 900' driveway) (also have a truck with a plow on it for most of the plowing but need something to stack piles with)
Dirt Work for Box Scraper/Loader 20%

The other question is for $900 more I could go with a Bush Wacker finish mower, instead of the rotary Howse. Its all mainly grass mowing...which way would you go?

Also both of these are Gear Driven Tractors, anybody have any real reason to not go with Gear Driven over a HST for my uses?

Opinions Needed!!!
TIA
__________________
Troy

dont forget the Boomers have a 5 year warranty too!!

DonDJG · Apr 1, 2012

Just purchased a boomer 50 Dec-2011, with loader, HST, and a Bush Hog 6' finish mower. I used the mower for the first time last week very satified. I would not purchase a tractor with the Gear Trans. my suggestion the HST is the way to go. I also have 5' wood rotary mower (Non Finish).

The HST has more advantages that the Gear Tans., with loader work and any type of mowing, more control of tractor speed and keeping the RPM's at correct operating speed.

jenkinsph · Apr 1, 2012

For a 35 to 50 hp tractor that will be used for a variety of tasks I would recommend the hydrostatic transmission. Sounds to me like a 35hp should be adequate for your uses.

I do alot of boxblade work and the hydro transmission makes this much easier to do. I have a gear tractor too and their fine for open field work and slightly more efficient but more cumbersome to operate in close quarters.

WM75Guy · Apr 1, 2012

Go for the Boomer 50 for $3200 more. The Boomer 35 is 31/29 (Gear/HST) HP PTO, the Boomer 50 is 39/37. You are talking 25% more HP. That will make a big difference with a 6' cutter in wet or high grass. It does with my TC40DA at 33 HP PTO and my Boomer 8N at 40 HP PTO. The Boomer 35 would be marginal for a 6' cutter. The difference in loader max lift is even more, 1100/1370 (20"/pins) for the 240TL vs 1370/1940 for the 250TL. If you plan on using forks that is a big difference.

jenkinsph · Apr 2, 2012

Looking at this again this morning it would seem you wan't a fel for stacking snow and also wan't to mow your grass faster. Why wouldn't a large garden tractor or small compact tractor both with 4x4 and hst work better for this? Seems that mowing and moving snow are your big concerns, you could have a front mount blower and forget the stacking and have a 5' or 6' mmm for the mowing.

You listed your Cub Cadet 1050, there are two 1050 models the early one being 10hp and the newer one LT1050 is 26hp IIRC, which one do you have? Neither of these are 4x4 at any rate.

My concern would be a tractor that is properly ballasted for using a fel is generally too heavy to mow a lawn with if the area isn't dried out. I would prefer to mow with a 4x4 garden tractor with the hdap tires with all extra weight removed. In the winter a front mounted blower and a rear blade on the back would seem to be a good choice. If you do get stuck the larger M can pull this out easily.

If you simply want a larger compact with fel that is understandable but I would recommend you try to keep it off the grass when wet or damp, otherwise after a few mowings you will have a real mess on your hands.

For the road clearing I might consider using the truck with plow to get out but I would not be out on a public road stacking snow. That is opening a can of worms without proper authority and general (working) liability insurance. I have this insurance and can tell you it costs more than the tractor you have in mind. Clear a path so you can get out at most and let the municipality deal with the clean up.