NH TC35/40/45 vs. Kubota L & Grand-L30?

[BruceNorthEast]

How does the NH Class 3 Boomer (TC35/40/45) series stand up against the comparable Kubota L and “Grand-L30?”

I’ve seen some things on the boomers that seem higher quality, such as the castings at the loader pivot points, but others favor the Kubota – like the external rams for the 3PH and larger diameter lift cylinders than the 16LA has (is this due to improved strength on the Kubota, or lower operating pressure?).

Are these NH Boomers positioned somewhere between the Kubota L and Grand L30?

I’m contemplating the purchase of one of these machines (L4400, L3830, TC35/40/45), and would like hearing your opinions before I do – not intending to start any flame wars, just figuring that your experiences will provide some indication of what I’ll think down the road - and help me (and others) make a more informed decision. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif <> /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Thanks.
Bruce.

 

[IH3444]

Been reading your post Bruce, and a few things made me buy blue. One I consider to be a major point is the fact that New Holland has a cast iron/steel rear axle housing, the Kubota has aluminum. Aluminum is easier to machine than the cast iron/steel, and in all regards by many is just as good as iron/steel. I have a bit of a background in metallurgy, and mechanical design, and felt that over the course of a lifetime of use. The many heating and cooling cycles, the cast iron/steel will retain it's geometrical dimensioning better. Plus the ability of cast iron/steel will more readily absorb unexpected high shock loads a bit better than the aluminum. I have also seen the fractured in half transmissions, and bell housing of a few posted pictures of manufactures who use the aluminum components. Haven't seen the cast iron/steel busted housing yet, but I'm sure they are there also. Most are caused by an improper 3 pt. backhoe, used beyond it's limits. Enough said about that point.

My second reason for selecting the NH over the others was that I absolutely loved the sloped down boom of the loader, the position od the control lever on the right fender, it's high lift, and roll back capacity, and it's very adaquate sized bucket. If you select the TC45, as I've read you like, you will be purchasing the highest lift laod capacity of that size frame NH.

The NH also comes with the deluxe rear 3pt. hitch.

I drove a few Kubotas, and for my body size, I felt I was always leaning over the steering wheel while on the Kubota, and it was a reach for me to adjust the throttle on the Kubota. The NH fit me almost perfectly. I'm 5"10", so I'm not short, or tall.

I'm used to shifting with my right arm, so the NH gear shifter on the dash was a no brainer, and no retraining was needed.

The shuttle shift with the left hand is just like the lever I operate on my IH to shuttle between foreward and reverse.

Plus the dealer I went with sold both Kubotas, and NHs. I got to compare them both side by side, and drive both. The NH we discounted a bit more. Seemed to be less wiggle room with the Kubotas.

Hope this helps you, whichever you select, you will have a winner. They are both very good machines. Have you also consider Kioti? The DK45S is a very robust machine.

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> the Kubota has aluminum. </font>
TtHIS IS NOT A TRUE STATEMENT. THERE ARE TRACTORS THAT HAVE ALUMINUM REAR ENDS. BUT IT IS NOT <font color="orange"> KUBOTA </font> .

 

[IH3444]

I'll stop by the dealer with a magnet and check the rear axles again. Didn't mean to mislead Bruce. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[om21braz]

I'll second ronjhall, I'm about 99% sure all Kubota Grand-L series machines have cast iron housings front & rear. Now the Deeres' have aluminum in rear in everything smaller than the 4510, or I think now the 4120 - what is referred to as the large series compacts.

Oops, back to the original question - a local dealer north of here sells both and seems to do well with each - normally comes down to which is the most comfortable as previously mentioned. Good Luck and enjoy your search !

 

[N80]

I looked at the NH line before I bought my L4400. There were several reasons that I bought Kubota but the most important one was that the NH dealer realized I was new to tractors and apparently decided on the spot that I wasn't serious about buying a tractor, and kinda blew me off. So, in truth, I never got to the point of making spec for spec comparisons.

However, at the time I was under the impression that the TC45 was a rather fancy tractor and cost considerably more than the comparably powered L4400, but, there may have been a lower priced version of the 45, but he didn't have one on the lot. Given the disinterested dealer and the higher price, I bought the Kubota.

The L4400 is generally less expensive than comparably powered tractors because it is no frills. Gear drive is the only tranny option. I got mine for about $18,600 with Ag tires.

I'm 99.99% sure my L4400 does not have an aluminum tranny, diff or axle housing. It also does not have external rams on the 3pt. The Grand-L series does have external rams, which is a nice touch.

I can't say much about ergonomics since I had no experience to draw from. The L4400 is gear drive and it keeps you busy when doing FEL work, but everything seems properly placed to me. I'm 6'4" and the driver position and seat comfort seem fine. No back or neck pain after hours of continuous seat time.

 

[rk246]

I just yesterday recieved my 3830, it is an excellent tractor, good power, smooth, quiet and feels ergonomically friendly to me....I have not run a brand new NH but my father in law has a larger one probably around 50 hp and it is also a nice machine....I know that probably does't help much but I would look at dealer, service and price..

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Bruce - Something that I've said more than once is "I don't think Kubota's are excellent because I have one - I have one because I think they're excellent".

As much as I like to buy American, the choice between Kubota, the "smaller" NH's including the boomers, and the "smaller" Deere's is just a choice between different Japanese manufacturers. I went with Kubota for a lot of reasons.

Their tractors are designed and built 100% in-house. Less politics and more coordination has to have advantages when producing such a complex product.

The Kubota hydro is arguably the best designed, smoothest and most reliable in the industry. I have seen MANY more reports of problems here with other brands' hydros than with Kubota's. (All: please don't take this as anything other than an observation made after reading thousands of posts. If you have hard evidence to the contrary, I am open to examining it.)

I'll bet $.05 that Kubota engines are found in more non-Kubota machinery than Yanmar (great engine) and Shibaura (probably another great engine) combined. ("Genuine" JD engines are another story).

I just saw quality, attention to detail and great design everywhere I looked.

And I can't back this up with numbers, but I'll bet another $.05 that Kubota has a better resale value than NH or (even?) Deere.

(Hmm, do I want to post this? Sure, why not. I'm a tree guy, I'm used to going out on a limb). /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[tjkadar]

The dealer I purchased my Kubota from also carried NH & Mahindra. He was very helpful in steering me to the right sized tractor for my property, but was also very careful in letting me make up my mind as to what brand I ultimately bought. I wound up with a Kubota. It fit me better and I felt the 'fit & finish' on it was better then the competitors.

The NH tractors had a lot of nifty computer and electronic controlled stuff on them and the Mahindra was definitely the bargain out of the bunch.

The service department said the Mahindra sounded bad, but they ran like champs. Aside from minor issues, they really haven’t had any problems with the Mahindras. There have been some problems with some models of NH tractors. Those issue stem from some of the complexities inherent in the tractors. The service department said this issues seemed very model and year dependent. The Kubota were on par with the Mahindras for being trouble free… well, perhaps a bit better as the service department has a much longer working record with the Kubota. Plus, the Kubota’s sounded better (caveat, sound is a very personal choice; YMMV).

Each of these tractors has their strong points and weak points. They are not identical machines (God forbid!). In the end, you are going to have to drive them, play with them, and then see which one fits you and your budget the best. You really wont go wrong with any of the major brands out there.

Right now, the consumer has the upper hand in tractor buying. With so many choices, the only downside is having so many choices! But the buying is only the beginning of the fun. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I bought a Kubota because I thought it was the best product for me.

Buy the tractor that will ultimately be your tractor. If you do that, you wont ever be unhappy with your new workhouse.

 

[Dargo]

I didn't ever think much about it, so I ran out to the barn and one of my large arrow magnets for welding stuck fast to the rear axle housing of my L5030HSTC. If I'm not mistaken, that means that it is a ferrous material; an alloy that uses iron as the predominant metal. I don't think aluminum falls into this category.