Please help me decide......

GONO2 · Jul 7, 2004

I have narrowed my search down to the following 3 tractors. They are all very close in price and I really like all three dealers. Can someone please make a suggestion as to which one to jump on for general around the house work (5 acres + garden and deer food plots).

1 - JD 790 4x4 with loader (dealer has been more than friendly - I bought a 335 from him 2 years ago that I am keeping - best lawn tractor I have ever owned) Only drawback is interest rates not quite as good as the rest. Lift capacity also a slight concern (probably not though)

2 - NH TC30 4x4 with loader (dealer is a friend and that is not always a good thing - hate to buy major items from friends). I like the interest rates and the lift capacity though.

3 - Kubota 7800 4x4 with loader - dealer is very nice and been in business over 20 years - interest rates not bad either.

Suggestions someone? I really like all 3 machines!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bob_Skurka · Jul 7, 2004

Flip a coin.

All are excellent machines.

Which feels most comfortable to you? Which is most intuitive for you?

Poppa · Jul 7, 2004

I don't see how you can go wrong with any of them. I have the B7800 and I love it so that is where my loyalty stands. However, when I was looking I too was drawn to the 790 and the TC30. Also, with the good dealers you seem to have to choose from, it looks like you are mighty lucky. Just find the one that fits your rump the best and go for it.

Mike

Gary_in_Indiana · Jul 8, 2004

Have you driven and used all three? That might be the best way to decide. One may simply be more comfortable for you and that can make a huge difference. I started my search intent on buying a Kubota and bought a Deere. Simply put, I didn't like the rocker style pedal to operate the HST on the Kubota as it was terribly uncomfortable on my knee after only a few minutes (I'm longer-legged than most).

I loved the comfort of the FEL control on the Kubota but was able to modify the Deere's to accomodate me and couldn't have begun to adapt the HST control nearly as easily.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Henro · Jul 8, 2004

Do they all have the same features like HST, for example?

I know they are all great tractors, but for some reason I got this feeling (wright or wrong, not sure why I think it) that only the B7800 is HST???

Personally I love my HST for what I do and if only one of the three, regardless of color, was an HST, while the other two were gear tractors, I would buy the HST. Gear tractors are excellent tractors, not putting them down. Just that I have found that with slopes to deal with and things to get around/close to/between HST works best for me...

If they are all HST tractors it would be a coin toss if I were choosing for you...like mentioned above...or preferably, like Gary said, it would be the one that fits you best when you test drive it... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

mathteacher · Jul 8, 2004

see which dealer will throw in the first service. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Then tell each one that they are all competing for you business. Although, I am with you on buying major items from friends.

I would also make sure that you are compare apples to apples. Make sure that they all have the same transmission. The Hydro is very nice. Especially with cutting and loader work. And unless you are very good with the loader you will not notice the difference. I am not that good, but am getting better and with the machine that I have I am getting better with and understand the limits of the FEL that I HAVE.

Donald B.

MicroPilot · Jul 8, 2004

Why are HST trannies better than gears when working slopes?

rockyridgefarm · Jul 8, 2004

( Why are HST trannies better than gears when working slopes? )

omigosh!

put a heavy load in the bucket and start racing down hill,

now STOP.

MicroPilot · Jul 8, 2004

Good point! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Of course I would never do that, just too many other things that could go wrong outside of the tranny.

Henro · Jul 8, 2004

Why are HST trannies better than gears when working slopes? 

For me a HST is better on the slope because I never have to worry about shifting, and always keep the connection between the engine and the wheels...never have to rely on the brakes alone to hole the tractor in postion if I stop...and I when I get in a position I do NOT feel good about I can creep at an inch per hour if I need to...

But I think it is more slope + obstacles rather than just slopes. If one only had a clear slope to deal with, he could choose the gear he wanted to use befire starting up in and would not need to worry about stopping probably...

Even with automated shifters, the clutch is activated when the shift occurs, from what I understand...I think I remember someone reporting here that when they shifted their (shuttle shift or glide shift?) tractor on an uphill, it actually stopped and started to drift back before the shift was completed...

For me, with HST, I don't have to worry about anything except where the tractor is heading. If I get into a tight spot, and let my foot off the directional pedal, the tractor stops on its own...

If I am going down and want to back up, again the engine/wheel connection is never broken. I don't even have to touch the brakes...

These pretty much are the reasons HST is better for me on the slopes I have with trees... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I think the HST also lets me work more comfortably when I an near a ditch or drop off of any kind...

KiotiJohn · Jul 8, 2004

I have to say that out of those choices, not knowing any more about the tractors than you provided, I'd go for the NH TC30 due to the sloping hood and curved loader arms. Visibility is much better with that setup. Lift capacity is good, and that IS important. My cousin has a TC30, gear, and it's a very good tractor. Of course, I went with the Kioti CK20HST with a sloping hood as, overall, it was a bargain and had all I wanted. John

rockyridgefarm · Jul 8, 2004

not knowing any more about the tractors than you provided, I'd go for the NH TC30 due to the sloping hood and curved loader arms. 

Um, John, maybe you had better go look at your cousins tc30....

KiotiJohn · Jul 8, 2004

It's a boomer. I've noticed that others don't have the sloping hood, if that's what you mean, but his has a sloping hood and he says it's a TC30, but he's in Louisiana so I can't run over and look again. John

GONO2 · Jul 8, 2004

These are all square hooded tractors....

I back side fits the green better. Feet like the other two. Wallet can't make up it's mind which one (it's really 6 of one kind / half dozen of the other).

Anyone have either of these and not happy with it?

Ledgemere Farm · Jul 8, 2004

All good. I do the the JD is a collar shift, meaning you have to stop it to change gears. Also, not sure if it has a live PTO. I wouldn't mind having one as a second tractor.

familyman · Jul 9, 2004

I looked hard at the 790 and decided to buy one. The quality and build of the machine is excellent and I loved the way the engine sounded. But 2 Bozo JD dealers couldn't get their acts together and I bought a Kubota L2800. It's similar to the 790 in features and price (shuttle shift, manual trans, etc.) but the ergonomics are far better (for me). However, I also looked at the Kioti CK20 and found it to be a nice machine too, but at the time there were problems getting backhoes/subframes from Kioti and I wasn't sure about their product since they seemed to be a new kid on the block (have since learned otherwise). Also, in terms of size, the L2800/790/TC30/CK20(?) are in a different league than the B7800, which is why you can get it with HST for a price similar to those larger, manually shifted machines. I believe that the Kioti and NH are available with HST if you want it.
I'm very happy with my choice. I could do a point-by-point comparison and give you my arguments for choosing my machine, but it may not help. When it comes to tools, there's alot of subjective as well as objective analysis to be done, as well as money considerations. Best of luck!

Charley

Golfgar4 · Jul 9, 2004

How did the CK20 get involved in this discussion? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I don't believe that should be considered as it wasn't mentioned by the original poster AND it is somewhat lower in HP.

Anyway, I agree with the others that it seems like you're at the point of having your decision based on the level of comfort.

I would add the following ideas, though. Since the 3 you mentioned are so close in your comparison, have you factored in things like mid pto's and other potential options that you might want in the future. I'm not sure if the 790 has that option, but I'm pretty sure the TC30 (square hood, not curved /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) does. Don't know about the Kubota.

It would be nice to have 3 choices that are so close to satisfying your intial needs. I guess that's why I would suggest looking ahead to what you might want later on. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good luck, and have fun with your search. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob_Skurka · Jul 9, 2004

Garry, you are right about the CK20, it has 21 hp, I think the original 3 mentioned are all 30hp machines. So the CK20 is at a 32% power disadvantage.

Also, why throw another brand into the mix when someone is already happy with the 3 choices he has.

Now, if you want to know the real way to make a decision that is as hard as this one, then you need to consider the color of your wife's eyes. If they are green/hazel then go with the JD. If her eyes are blue, then buy a NH. If they are brown eyes then you probably could get the Kubota and tell her it was as close as you could get to a match. BUT If they are bloodshot from a hangover and all red and and swollen, then run away because if you show up with a new tractor and say it matches her lovely eyes then you will get a frying pan upside your head.

Golfgar4 · Jul 9, 2004

( If they are brown eyes then you probably could get the Kubota and tell her it was as close as you could get to a match. )

How about a David Brown tractor? Would that work? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I'd better figure it out - my wife DOES have brown eyes! And so does my grandaughter!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

(whine, whine, whine) I don't want a brown tractor!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

SteveH_CT · Jul 9, 2004

I agree - Excellent answer Bob - as if someone would go wrong with any of the choices mentioned. I think some folks go through way to much angst when deciding on a tractor... It's simple really - find some good machines - find the good dealers and go with what feels right. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Or use Bob's method and match your spouse's eyes.