NH TN75 vs. Kubota 8200 vs. MF 5445

Hysyde · Nov 22, 2004

Okay, I've got a few posts on here with regards to advice on purchasing a replacment loader tractor for my father's farm.

The tractor has to be 4WD, and it will be for general farm use, especially a lot of loader usage (manure, hay, dirt, rocks) and some field work (like pulling a 6 row corn planter). We've been looking at new and used, but I *think* it has come down to one of three new tractors.

New Holland TN75 (63hp)

Kubuta 8200 (73 hp)

Massey Ferguson 5445 (70hp)

There will be no cab (rops), and any of them will be taken with the highest volume hydraulics, and best tranmission. Dual remotes is also nescesary.

We haven't priced the MF yet, but the Kubota is about $2000 more then the NH, but it is a larger tractor. Also the Kubota comes with a ALO M740 quick attach loader (self leveling $1400 more) while the NH comes with a ALO 930 model. What's the difference?

The Kubota's best tranny is the 12x12 with hydr. shuttle, while the NH was priced with the 16x16 with power shuttle. Which is a better trans? The MF has a 16x16 but I'm not sure of the shuttling system.

To me, the Kubota seems like a less sophistacted (and lighter built) tractor, but has more hp bang for the buck. Also not sure about the loader differences.

Can anybody make a suggestion or offer some advice or info? It's greatly appreciated.

gamble77 · Nov 23, 2004

Well, the MF 5445 isn't available without a Cab. I would suggest either the MF 481 or MF 491. Both of the MF have "standard" dual remotes (Kubota has 1 standard) and both have higher lift capicity than the Kubota. Not an expert on the NH, but go to all the web sites and compare models. Would think the best thing is to go with the dealer that suits you most.

jltrent · Nov 23, 2004

If you like NH I would go with the TL models. They still have the old Ford engine.

I have a M6800 Kubota with C/H/A 4x4 and FEL and probably the biggest complain is lack of weight and I am adding weights so that should help. When in 4x4 it will pull about any small attactments including the corn planter fairly easy. I got the dealer to throw in the extra hydralic spool behind in the deal. My opinion it is a very tough tractor as like a lot of items engineered in Japan. (Honda/Toyota).

The MF you mentioned is a bigger tractor with a lot more bells and whistles. The shipping weight is probably over 8000 pounds as my neighbor just purchased one. The Perkins engine is hard to beat. Just from talking with the local MF dealer he said it seems the MF's have a lot of small problem unlike a couple of other brands he sells.

I have a MF 285, Ford 3600. Kubota M6800 and a JD 5210 so I am pretty familiar with the above tractors.

If it were me I would check out the NH TL tractors and then take a long look at the Kubota as I believe these are good tractors.

kmanvt · Nov 23, 2004

I can’t tell you which one is better since I’m basically in the same boat you’re in, but I’ll tell you some prices I got. On the NH TN75A with 32LC loader, QA bucket, grill guard, engine block heater, second rear remote, & canopy it was priced at $29900. The Kubota M8200 with the 1251A loader, QA bucket, grill guard, engine block heater, second rear remote, & canopy came to $30300. The things I liked about the TN75 were the 12sp tranny, control layout, and 0% financing till 11/30. The things I liked about the M8200 was the true axle locking (front & rear), 10 extra PTO HP, and slightly stronger in the capacities. Weight was nearly identical, but you might be able to put a little more fluid in the Kubota’s rear tires since they are wider. (?)

ZJ_HR · Nov 24, 2004

Just a remark:
Kubota has gentle front axle (portal type, with bevel gear) compared to NH or MF (straight front axle with planetary final drives). MF and NH can have front 3pt hitch, as their front axles are strong enough, not sure for Kubora (as we don't have them here).
Allmost equal topic was talked before here, and somewhere about Kubota front axle problems, but can't find it.

I'm not against Kubota, just feel MF and NH tractors like more real ag tractors, as we have lot of FIAT and MF tractors here. Never seen Kubota in yard (and never will) here, just on fairs abroad.

jltrent · Nov 24, 2004

ZF-The front axle on the M6800 Kubota is straight and is as every bite as big as the TN75 and almost looks like each other except at each end the Kubota looks a bit bigger. A Kubota, John Deere, MF, NH, Long, Agco. Valmet, Belarus and a couple other dealers are within 10 miles of were I live and I stop every chance I get and look at their tractors.

ZF- I believe you are talking about the older Kubotas or a smaller size when you refer to the front axle. The current Kubota's are straight axled. The 4x4 on my M6800 does not concern me one bit as being weak. The Bush hog loader on my M6800 is rated a 3900 lbs. and I have had it loaded this much before and the front axle is still going although the rear got a little lite. I agree with you the NH and MF are good tractor also and might have a little bit better resale value than the Kubota, but the way the Kubotas are selling in my neck of the woods they may be higher eventually.

WilliamBos · Nov 24, 2004

There are some tracotrs in the 5400 series from MF that are available as a platofrm model..... ask your dealer!!

Take care

Will

Hysyde · Nov 24, 2004

Well, he went back to the MF dealer and was now more looking at the 581.

But really, it has come down to the TN75 and the M8200. Mainly because of the 0%, 4 year fiancing both are offering which frees up some cash.

Dealerships aren't really a consideration, since both are well established and close to us. We have done more business with the NH dealer, but it's not a big deal.

I really think we're leaning to the TN. It's a little less tractor (hp wise) but my father seems to like the power shuttle on it (plus the 4 extra gears and 40km highway gear) better then the Kubota's transmisson. Also the apparent stonger hydraulics of the TN, and yes, better control layout.

He's just trying to hammer out whether he needs and self-leveling or not and if he's getting the soft-drive for the loader (most likely). He thinks the self-leveling will hamper some of the bale manipulation we have to do inside the barns. I didn't think it was a big deal, but anyway /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. So he was thinking of getting the soft- drive in place of self-leveling. So far the NH guys have tried selling it with a ALO Quicke 720 (or 920 with self-leveling) but I think we should get a little stronger since a strong loader is important for us.

From the quotes I have, they both are priced with the same sized tires.

I've never used a tractor with limited slip axels, but I would assume the true locking diffs of the Kubota are superior, but I don't really know.

ZJ_HR · Nov 25, 2004

OK, thats maybe just my opinion, but ...
Here ALL new loaders have self leveling, mechanic or hydraulic.
It's far easier to handle with bales and forks with SL loader than all time play with joystick.
SL loaders have usually wider opening and closing angles, as a advantage. Disadvantage can be price, and maybe little heavier loader.
I asked for price here, and loader was about 5000€ with QA bucket, MSL and frames, without joystick and valve. There wasn't possibility to order without self leveling!!!

If I were you, I'll never buy loader without self leveling.
Better to pay a little more in begining, than regret whole life later. I know this feeling, believe me /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

This 1 or 1.5k$ for SL is about 5% of tractor+loader price , so, as you have 0% interest, take SL like financing gift /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

And yes, soft drive (hydraulic accumulators) is worth add on road.