Newbie Needs Help Selecting Tractor

seacove · Sep 25, 2004

I've mastered the greatest challenge - my wife is on board with purchasing a compact tractor.

First, some background. We have a mini-farm - 5 acres. About two thirds is lawn and paddock, one third wooded and scrub. We presently service the lawn and paddock with garden tractors - JD 240 Manual Transmission and Murray 19hp hydro. My neighbor bush hogs the wooded/scrub area with his Long tractor twice a year. My immediate needs are for mowing, brush cutting and snow removal. In the future I foresee rototilling and front loading capability.

I know little of tractors, but have visited my local dealers - Massey Ferguson, New Holland and Kubota. I know I'll probaby be insulting many members, but I (and wife) didn't like the Kubota from a comfort (and for my wife color) standpoint. I'm 6' 2" and my wife 5' 10". So we've narrowed the field to Massey and New Holland - 4WD models. I'm not sure why, but I'm thinking of the 30HP range - maybe I'm over buying. Here is a list of major questions I have.

1) There appears little pricing difference between the mid chassis (Massey MF 1428/1433, NH TC29/33) and large chassis (Massey 1429/1433, NH TC35) lines. I'm more comfortable on the larger chassis models, but don't know what the basis of selection should be. Should I go for the mid or larger chassis?
2) The Masseys call themselves 4WD units, the NH calls theirs front wheel drive. What's the difference?
3) The NH has Super Steer and Sensitrak options - are they worth the extra expense? Both?
4) Massey pitches their steel hood, NH their plastic, which is better?
5) My neighbor swears by manual transmissions (says the hydro lowers effective HP), but a lot of the posts seem to indicate hydro is preferred - and better for resale. What do you think?
6) I'm comfortable with both dealers - from the little I know - overall am I better with a Massey or a NH tractor?
7) Unlike cars, I have no basis to know if I'm being quoted good prices - any suggestions?

Thanks for your help. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bob_Skurka · Sep 26, 2004

1) There appears little pricing difference between the mid chassis (Massey MF 1428/1433, NH TC29/33) and large chassis (Massey 1429/1433, NH TC35) lines. I'm more comfortable on the larger chassis models, but don't know what the basis of selection should be. Should I go for the mid or larger chassis?

Comfort is a big issue, but with 5 acres to deal with and mowing as your primary chore, I would strongly opt for a smaller and more manuverable tractor. With size you reach a point on a small property where it become counter productive. In your case, smaller would likely be the better choice.

 2) The Masseys call themselves 4WD units, the NH calls theirs front wheel drive. What's the difference? 

My NH is a 4wd tractor, I don't know much about the Massey units but several people on the board use them. NH is not a front wheel drive, I would suggest you might have misunderstood the salesman?

 3) The NH has Super Steer and Sensitrak options - are they worth the extra expense? Both?

If you have a lot of tight turns and landscaping to mow around then it might be great for you to consider these things. Or if you want to work inside a barn.

 4) Massey pitches their steel hood, NH their plastic, which is better?

I have a $400 dent in the metal hood of my Kubota, I've bounced large chunks of dirt/clay off the hood of my NH. Its not worth it to me to repair the metal hood, but it does bother me. I believe the thermoplastic fenders on my NH have taken a few branches pretty hard, but there are no dents in those either.

 5) My neighbor swears by manual transmissions (says the hydro lowers effective HP), but a lot of the posts seem to indicate hydro is preferred - and better for resale. What do you think?

This is a big arguement point, but I strongly favor hydrostatic transmissions. Technically your neighbor is correct that HST will lower the effective PTO HP by about 1/2 to 1 hp. That very minor loss is a non-issue to me. For both mowing & FEL work, HST will make your job much faster and is easier, especially if you have a lot of landscaping, corners, turns etc to deal with. The general manager of my company has a gear machine, he used 2 of my HST machines and now is selling his tractor to buy HST. He grew up on a farm and has only used gear tractors.

 6) I'm comfortable with both dealers - from the little I know - overall am I better with a Massey or a NH tractor? 

Consider yourself lucky, many people don't find that. But I think you are better off with the tractor that you like better. I doubt there is any functional difference between the two brands, it will be more of an issue of what you like, what feels better, and perhaps $.

 7) Unlike cars, I have no basis to know if I'm being quoted good prices - any suggestions?

Check Ebay. Seriously. There are a couple NH dealers that post tractors there, my local dealer is as low as they are, but you can use their prices as a basis for dealing. Tractor pricing is incredibly regional. A good deal in one area is a bad deal somewhere else. Also, some brands like Kioti are cheap in some areas when compared to NH, JD or Kubota, and in other areas I've seen prices posted on TBN where they actually cost more. So unless you want to travel great distances, then your local dealers are going to be the people you need to work with.

By the way, if it was my money to spend, I would be buying a fully featured 24/25 hp tractor for mowing 5 acres. I'm 6' tall and will admit that there is a lot more room on my 30 tractor than on my 24hp machine, but I use the 24hp more because it is easier to maneuver (tighter turning). Personally, my opinion is that I think you are considering too large of a tractor for 5 acres, but then again, others would probably disagree. I would not go above 30hp mid-frame, but my money would be spent on 24/25hp small frame.

tc33brad · Sep 26, 2004

I agree with Bob in that a smaller tractor would fill your needs better. I love my 33D but given your parameters I'd look for something a bit smaller primarily due to the mowing of a lawn. I for one like the NH hood and fenders because they can take some abuse and still look like new. I personally would think that for your applications HST would be the transmission of choice.

thcri · Sep 26, 2004

I think Bob answered you questions pretty good. I can't really add anything to it. I also agree that if you go to large you will be sorry. New Holland makes are real nice TC24 that has become very popular. I have 2 acres that I mow with a TC29D which is on the large size for finish mowing. I have to be careful and make sure it is fairly dry. I would not go into the larger chasis tractor such as the TC35 size. Soil conditions also will dictate what weight tractor you can go with. As far as New Holland over Massey? Go with the one that fits your butt the best and most of all the dealer you think will give you the best support after the sale.

murph

SteveH_CT · Sep 26, 2004

Here are a few thoughts that I hope will help you out;

1. I agree with Bob on the gear vs. Hydro - I've got a hydro, and it's great. Drive both and see what you like best, but I find the hydro hard to beat.

2. I will take a picture and show you how well the hood on my Deere has held up. It's their version of a plastic blend, and it is truly tough stuff. A metal hood will offer you no real advantage over a plastic hood - period. I've dropped items on the top of my tractor by accident. The brush guard on my tractor is a pretty heavy piece of metal - far heavier than the guage of metal that a hood is made out of - Recently I lifted a stump too high - it fell back onto my hood. Cripes, I thought it would bust for sure - it didn't. I scratched it, but not even that was too bad... my brush guard however bent from the impact. I am completely sold on the plastic body panels. If you search on here you'll find a guy who dropped a tree across his plastic rear fender - he has pics as well - they didn't break... think metal would have held up??? Lastly consider how well paint will hold up, and rust will appear on a metal body panel as well.

3. I think NH has a model that's about the size of mine. I've got 32hp but in a mid-chassis - it's a great size/power compromise.

I don't know NH loaders - but if you have the option go for a heavy duty bucket, and a toothbar - the toothbar is a great "bang for the buck" option.

Good Luck and have fun looking.

RedDog · Sep 26, 2004

What dealers are you looking at? You must be fairly close to me.

RedDog

seacove · Sep 27, 2004

Massey - Midwest Mechanical Power in Plain City

New Holland (2) - Mechanicsburg Implement and Franklin Tractor Sales.

Any recommendations? Is a belly mower better than a finishing mower? In the NH brochures they don't indicate a rear blade, only front - is this a concern? Thanks

Bird · Sep 27, 2004

( Is a belly mower better than a finishing mower? )

Depends on your personal preference. You might want to read MMM vs Rear Finish

MikeFromVA · Sep 27, 2004

( 1) There appears little pricing difference between the mid chassis (Massey MF 1428/1433, NH TC29/33) and large chassis (Massey 1429/1433, NH TC35) lines. I'm more comfortable on the larger chassis models, but don't know what the basis of selection should be. Should I go for the mid or larger chassis?)

Don't know what if your 5 acres is hilly or flat, but you might like the smaller chasis if you have a lot of hills.

( 2) The Masseys call themselves 4WD units, the NH calls theirs front wheel drive. What's the difference?)

I believe that you are referring to "Mechanical Front Wheel Drive" which is what some dealers call their version of four wheel drive - from what I've read, they are both pretty much the same.

( 5) My neighbor swears by manual transmissions (says the hydro lowers effective HP), but a lot of the posts seem to indicate hydro is preferred - and better for resale. What do you think?)

I'm a tractor newbie and I'm sold on hydro. Much easier to operate (for me). This has been debated to death, so just search for relevant threads. It does seem like you can get a smaller tractor (about 25HP) and a FEL now for about the same price as a 30HP model. You'll find a whole lot of uses for the FEL, don't put it off.

Soundguy · Sep 28, 2004

( A metal hood will offer you no real advantage over a plastic hood - period )

I'd like to see that plastic hood in 50-60-70-80 years after being out in the sun.

The metal hood on my 46 ford 2n had a rust pin hole here and there.. but was otherwise completely structurly solid.

When it comes to repairs.. if i wanted to.. i could cut and braze or weld in a panel of metal to that hood.. and when i finished sanding and buffing.. you would only be able to tell the patch by the metal discoloration... you will not be fixing a plastic hood that easilly.. even fibergalss will leave a backside print of the patch.

While these new space age palstics are doing great things, and do hold up well.. their range of use vs repair/liftspan is still not a deffinate. A cast iron grill or stiff metal hood may bend when damaged.. but is nearly 100% repairable. A plastic hood my shrug off lots of damage with only minor scratching or maring.. but is almost non-repairable. Very few places do plastic fusing and joining.. or chemical bonding.. whereas just about any backyard 'bubba' with a torch and welder can stitch in a piece of tin.

( If you search on here you'll find a guy who dropped a tree across his plastic rear fender - he has pics as well - they didn't break... think metal would have held up??? )

When i got my NAA.. there was still some 'tree' sticking out of the softball sized hole / dent in the sheet metal on my NAA.

I removed the metal and hammered it up on a wood block almost babyskin smooth, and then used a skim coat of filler for the few hammer dimples that just wouldn't come out.

I can post pics...

<img src=http://www.tractorshed.com/gallery/pieces/v1825.jpg width=344 height=258>

( guard on my tractor is a pretty heavy piece of metal - far heavier than the guage of metal that a hood is made out of )

Not really an apples to apples comparison when you are looking at hood sheet metal, and a guard for a mower. That mower is going to see much more punishment, by design, and intention, than the hood should. In other words the brush guard is sacrificial.. and intended to take bumps and brusies.

Soundguy