New Holland Vs other brand suggestions??

Duckhnt · Oct 6, 2003

Alright Guys...I have been lurking for a while and decided to register and post up...

I have been shopping for a tractor and have fallen in love with the NH TC29D. I like the size, HST, feel and ease of getting in and out of the boomers without tripping over a bunch of crap. Great Ergonomics
I have intentions of shopping and pricing out a TC29D with loader in the Virginia area. Does anyone have any other suggestions based on my needs below.

33 acres of combined woods, ponds, cutover, fields, foodplots. My needs will be varied from pulling up stumps, cutting 5-7 acres of grass, maintaining a 3 acre garden, moving gravel and rock/maintaining a .5 mile road, moving dirt and earth to maintain dams/banks on the ponds, disking and creating/maintaining food plots. Maintaining/making ATV and horse trails etc.

I have emailed the New Holland Dist in Newton NC and am awaiting a response and plan to shop around as well... A few questions for all.

1) Is this the right brand and model/size tractor in your opinion for the applications above?
2) Is there a warrenty/service issue if you buy a tractor in another state and need warrenty help locally (hard to get local guys to help)?
3) Are there other brand models worth evaluating I might have overlooked which might be a better VALUE?
I am not married to blue but sure like them so far...Any suggestions would be well appreciated

I should add that I have looked at Grey and off brand tractors and don't feel they are the same quality. Case in point is the Farm Pro. Went to the traveling chinese circus this weekend to see it and thought the quality was just not there! Not worth saving half if you can't get service and the crap breaks!

Henro · Oct 6, 2003

Are there other brand models worth evaluating I might have overlooked which might be a better VALUE? 

Duckhnt,

I have Kubota tractors, but I would bet that the tractors supplied by manufacturers other than the big three are better values. There are a number of them...I have seen some and they look real nice.

First thought that came to my mind when reading your post was that the TC29 might be a little on the small side for your needs. keep in mind that this is coming from someone who has a Kubota B2910 [30 HP, 22 pto hp] on 3.7 acres... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good luck in your decision. I am sure you will be very happy with whatever you end up buying.

More specific advice is sure to follow!

jinman · Oct 6, 2003

( 33 acres of combined woods, ponds, cutover, fields, foodplots. My needs will be varied from pulling up stumps, cutting 5-7 acres of grass, maintaining a 3 acre garden, moving gravel and rock/maintaining a .5 mile road, moving dirt and earth to maintain dams/banks on the ponds, disking and creating/maintaining food plots. Maintaining/making ATV and horse trails etc.
)

You have the same acreage I have in Texas and many of the jobs are the same. But, wow! A three-acre garden is pretty serious. If you mean a vegetable garden, that's a lot of work. As a kid, my brother and I had 3 to 5 acres in garden every summer. My Dad helped us and we used a Ferguson 20 tractor to plow, plant, and help with harvest.

I think you would be happier with a larger tractor. I'd say something that weighs at least 3,500# and will lift a ton with its FEL and 3PH. I think if you spend the extra few thousand bucks to get a 35 hp or greater tractor, it will save you dollars in the long run because I'm afraid that after a few years you would be trading in your smaller tractor and would spend much more than if you bought the tractor now.

The Fergie we used was in mostly sandy soil and it was strictly a plowing/ag tractor with no FEL or other specialty attachments other than a dirt scoop for the 3PH which almost got my Dad killed. For your tractor, I think you need to seriously consider R1 tires for your large garden and I'd find a dealer who would let me try out plowing with a hydrostatic transmission. You might be happier with a gear drive for that chore; although, your other jobs fit the hydrostatic very well.

If you want value, look at Kioti and Mahindra. I liked the Kioti, but the dealer was too far away from my place. I wasn't impressed with the layout of the Mahindra, but they have made lots of improvements. I think you should look at Kubota, John Deere, Massey, and even Case if you can find those dealers. Don't let any of them pressure you into buying until you are sure you have found the right tractor for you. If you have questions or something doesn't seem right, you have lots of folks here to keep someone from "pulling the wool" over your eyes. You'll definitely be an informed buyer when you get ready to sign on the dotted line. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

icat · Oct 6, 2003

I'm usually the last guy to say "buy bigger", but I think you're too small here as well. The NH line are great looking tractors - almost bought one myself. But if I had your acreage and jobs ahead I'd look to the TC35 or larger.

stvman · Oct 6, 2003

In case you did not know the TC29D is changing to the TC29DA. From what others have said the front axle is getting beefed up and the loader is going to the (14LA) curved arm style like the 16LA the 14LA loader will have greater capacity than the current loader. The hood will also change cosmeticly (some pics are in the NH forum)

Duckhnt · Oct 6, 2003

Wow guys I never really thought I would need bigger than 30hp for these jobs??? I won't be doing all these things all the time now keep in mind...I had no real intention of bumping to much more than 15K for the unit...what exactly in the list of chores is leading everyone to think bigger? What is the 29D not going to handle well thus requiring larger? Thanks for all the help.

Henro · Oct 6, 2003

My needs will be varied from pulling up stumps... moving gravel and rock/maintaining a .5 mile road... moving dirt and earth to maintain dams/banks on the ponds... Maintaining/making ATV and horse trails etc.


These are the ones that caught my eye...

Now there is no doubt you can do such things with a smaller tractor...smaller than the TC29...but there is a point where it can take so long to get the result you want...

No doubt in my mind that if I had more acres than I do, I would certainly have a bigger tractor than my Kubota B2910. But it would probably have taken me the purchase of the B2910 to realize I needed more...

The best way to save money is to do it right the first time! Whatever you buy will be wonderful if you have not had one before. No doubt about that. But getting the right size for your needs is really good if you can do it. I lucked out, and on a whim decided to go two steps bigger than I thought I needed...and it proved to be the perfect decision.

With tractors in these sizes, stepping up is really cheap. You get a lot more per dollar increase when you move up in size.

Hope this helps... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif or makes sense... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

But when it is all over...it takes money...and you must buy what you can afford now...

grandad · Oct 6, 2003

Those who posted earlier can explain for themselves, but I share the general view that you'd benefit from going larger. While something like a TC29 can do all the same basic jobs of a larger unit, it will do them in smaller bite-sized increments. The amount of your time needed to get the same work done may leave you wanting more productivity. However, since the bigger stuff costs more, it's a time vs. money trade-off that only you can evaluate.

jinman · Oct 6, 2003

On cost, I'd say that if you get a good 0% financing, you can afford more. However, you have to buy what you can afford, so don't let any of us talk you into debt that's too large to manage. Having said that, $2000 over 20 years is only $100 per year and that's nothing compared to the cost of your time and convenience. Decisions, decisions... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

With my tractor, I can carry over a ton in my bucket, so when I fill it with dirt, I have no problems carrying the load. At over 1/3 yard per bucket, it doesn' t take too many trips. But even with a big tractor, you will wish you had a dump truck if you are carrying dirt over 1/4 mile. A loader is a loader, and not a hauler. If you have to move weight any distance, you'll appreciate the stability of a larger tractor. Also, the way you get power to the ground is aggressive tires and weight. Weight is probably the most important factor.

I don't mean to say too much against the 29D or any other Class II tractor, but you should check out a thread in Owning/Operating called "I need a bigger 'you know what'." Jerry (MrWurm) has a TC30 and is struggling with a load he never imagined he would encounter. He needs a bigger tractor with more power. I think you will be really challenged with the jobs you have on your acreage. If you were maintaining "tamed" property, your TC29 would be perfect. Obviously, a lot of folks agree that you will be happier if you go a little bigger. Try out all sizes and ask your dealer to give you a demonstration of a "challenging" load. for each tractor size.

BLUEBONNET2 · Oct 6, 2003

welcome,
you don't really say where you are located, however if you get a chance, take a look at a CENTURY......
really nice lay out in the drivers seat and the shuttle shift is on the left hand side.....easy to use and out of the way....
the FEL controls are mounted on the right fender out of the way, so you can enter from either side....fuel tank mount low for easy filling..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
very nice fit and finish..... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
check out my pricing on the CENTURY section.....
the FEL is a HEAVY duty one also /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
for gardening, they have a draft control as standard equipment(except the 2028)

good luck,
bluebonnet2