Newbie Any help on NH 24D Vs. 30 Pros and Cons

28RedHorses · Mar 19, 2004

They were both rear mount Bush Hog finish mowers. Both were rated well past the PTO horsepower of the tractors. I considered this a cheap slimy sales ploy to make the one tractor look like a better deal.

28Red

Bob_Skurka · Mar 19, 2004

They were both rear mount Bush Hog finish mowers. Both were rated well past the PTO horsepower of the tractors. I considered this a cheap slimy sales ploy to make the one tractor look like a better deal.


I may be misunderstanding what you wrote, so if I am off base, then I apologize up front . . . but the gearbox on a mower (or tiller, or whatever) is typically rated for a maximum HP rating. Different size mower decks can use the same gearbox. So it is very common to find a 35hp gearbox on a mower deck, with that deck being recommended for ANY size tractor up to a 35 pto hp.

That does not mean that a 24hp or even 30hp tractor will have enough power for the mower deck.

What it means is the mower deck is capable of safe operation with a tractor up to the gearbox rating.

Now if you want to mow the lawn with the tractor, there is a common belief that you need 3 to 5 pto hp per 12" of mower deck. That has been posted on this site and others numerous times, I have NO CLUE if it is true. But using that criteria, then a 60" mower deck is the MAXIMUM size you'd want on a TC24D. I happen to use a 60" deck on my TC24D and it works great as long as the grass is not long and wet, at which point it can bog down the tractor a bit. It mows through "normal" grass cutting chores without any problem. So in theory, a TC30, which has a few more PTO hp should be able to run a 72" deck while the TC24D would be limited to 60". That doesn't mean your dealer would recommend these sizes, it is just a rough approximate.

Again, if I misunderstood your post I am sorry. But if I understood it, then I hope this may clarify why the same deck might be on both tractors.

28RedHorses · Mar 21, 2004

Sorry if I was confusing.

This guy quoted me the 24D with a RM 72 inch finish mower rated up to 40Hp. Then he quoted me the 30 with a RM 60 inch finish mower rated up to 35HP. He put a more expensive mower with the 24D then with the 30 so the price difference did not look as wide. He was trying to quote a package hoping I would not pick up on the switch.

I agree 100% about the rating.

I just was not happy with the shell game and the result was I took my business elsewhere.

28Red /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Casimir · Mar 22, 2004

Yep -- sure looks like he had the mowers and tractors switched. The 24D would probably handle the 60 RFM, but would be overloaded in heavy grass with the 72 RFM, while the TC30 would probably handle the 72 RFM well, except in the most extreme conditions.

I would probably steer clear of that salesman, as well. Luckily, I have had much better experience with the Fredericksburg folks. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kevin_in_VA · Mar 23, 2004

Hey! Welcome Neighbor!

I am in Chesterfield, just south of Richmond. I have 7.5 acres that sounds like yours. I got a TC-30 HST last fall (after Isabel), and find that it is perfect for my property. I got a good deal through Corriher. Around $14.5K for the tractor, loader, and toothbar, including delivery (don't forget to ask for hats). I've found that it is a very capable tractor. I considered the TC-29, but couldn't justify all the extra bells & whistles to the missus. I tow a 5 foot King Kutter rotary mower, a 5 foot box blade & a 4 foot hisc harrow. Great for snow removal (not that we get alot), not to mention the never ending job of skidding trees from the storm. Either way you go I'm sure you will be happy.

CarltonInVa · Mar 23, 2004

Hi!

I just happened to find this post and had to put in my 2 cents.

I live in Spotylvania (near the courthouse) and have 7 acres. I bought my TC-33D from Theros in Fredericksburg and have had nothing but a good experience.

When I bought the tractor (with loader and 72" rear mower), Randolph was willing to work with me on price and he delivered quick.

When I had main fuse blow on a Saturday afternoon they sent a service guy out within an hour or so and I was back in action with everything covered under the warranty.

I've since had a toothbar added and they discounted the price because they couldn't make it out on the day they originally scheduled.

Anyway, I realize that I'm starting to sound like a Theros commercial but I honestly have been very happy with the tractor and service.

I do agree with Casimir that you should but the FEL with the tractor. From what I understand, I paid several thousand less by buying the Tractor and FEL together. You will also find many uses for it. I would also recommend the toothbar if you can swing the extra 375.

One more thing that I've noticed, If you have a lot of hills or any with steep grade (as I do) extra horse power is a major plus. Even with 33hp I notice a definite lag with going up hills with the FEL and bush hog attached.

hardcrab · Apr 5, 2004

What a great thing this internet stuff is. I live downtown F'burg. Stopped by Theros last week to see what they had. Seriously considering a purchase this week. Glad to see Randolph was a good guy to work with. (I have a place in the northern neck with a few acres. I dont think I'd have room to turn around in my 0.2 acre yard in town!!!)

luvbug · Apr 8, 2004

We went thru the same problem of deciding which tractor, the TC 24 or the TC 30, as you are going thru now. Both are good tractors in their own right but we decided on getting a Kubota 7610 (24 hp) with a FEL, backhoe, power angle plow, rock rake and a mmm on R4 tires all for $22580. We went with this so we can landscape the 10.5 acres of property we have while building our house. Price and value was a major issue with us and after six months of research and price quotes we could not beat the value of the Kubota. I do strongly recomend driving both the TC 24, TC 30 around for a while . We found the TC24's remodel is not that user friendly. You sit high in the seat and you can not see the bucket in front of you as well as you can on the Kubota. The TC 30 will be more tractor than what you will ever need for your 5 acres. Our 7610 handles everything we need with plenty of reserve power. We live in NY and our soil (if you want to call it that) is great for growing rocks because that is all I keep finding every time I go out to do lawn work. Hope this helps you, either way Good Luck!

jwstewar · Apr 8, 2004

( We found the TC24's remodel is not that user friendly. )

Guess I found just the opposite to be true when I was out test driving the B7500, TC30, and the TC24.

Love my little blue beast.

VaTractorGirl · Apr 8, 2004

I have spent it seems like the last month doing nothing but "book work" on these things on the web, my head is spinning and now I can't keep anything straight. At one point in fact just a few days ago, I had to decided to just go with one of those cheapo chinese jobs (I can't really find anything that bad about them on the site) the price is so much cheaper and for what I need it for I think they might do the job, as far as the Kubota, you paid way more than I would like, I am thinking of just going with the New Holland 30 with FEL I can get on e-bay for 13,400 new. My husband is taking the old allis chalmers we have to have it worked on and that will give us the finish mower, any thoughts about which FEL is the best, I pretty much know for that price it won't be the New Holland and I like the curved arms that they have. But back to the task at hand I am going to take all the info that is swimming in my head and just ignore it for awhile and go to the dealers and just drive each one. I would have done this before but it is hard with 2 small kids at home with me during the day and baseball season has started up so the weekends are pretty much shot, my older daughter will be home some of next week on spring break so I plan on TRACTOR SHOPPING! Sorry this is so long everyone any last minute thoughts would be great, like I said at this point I have read so much it still sounds like I don't know what I am talking about. My husband is still stuck on the kioti which when looking at the specs side by side for instance the TC24 vs LK2554 the NH comes up lacking and my only comeback is that I don't like the looks of the kioti.