Please Help! New Holland TC4A or Kubota L3830?

uhley · Mar 12, 2004

Hi all. I'm new to this wonderful board and new to the "big" tractor world and could use some help.
I'm a new owner of 47 acres for which I need a tractor. I've done a lot of research and figure I need/want a 40(ish) hp tractor with fwd, R4 tires, standard-shift transmission, front loader, 5'-6' rotary mower, and a 6'-7' finishing mower. I have a 7 acre dammed lake, about 25 acres of pasture divided into six different areas where I plan to use the rotary mower, 8 acres of turf runway in which I share mowing responsibility hence the need for the finishing mower, will have two horses w/barn, and figure I'll find numerous uses for the loader. I know that ag tires give the most bite to take advantage of the horse power but I'm afraid of damaging the runway when it's my turn to mow, particularly when it's softer from rain. I hope that the industrial treaded tires are a decent compromise between traction and turf damage. It's gotta help that I live in Georgia where the ground is clay.
I'm scared to death of buying the wrong tractor ($$$$$!) or implement. I want this to be my first and last tractor purchase and hope to hand it to my kids one day so I want to do this right.

The Kubota dealer has quoted me the following:
L3830 w/R4 tires $15,400 /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
6' Bush Hog RDTH-72 finishing mower $1840
5' Bush Hog SQ720 rotary cutter $1250
LA513 Kubota loader $3710
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$22,200

The hew Holland Dealer has quoted me the following:
TC40A w/R4 tire & loader $19,850 ($15,500 w/o) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
6' 930B finishing mower $1875
6' 951B rotary cutter $1399
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$23,124

I've test driven the L3830 and liked it and will probably test drive the TC40 this weekend. When I buy a car I always haggle with the dealership on price but I have a very good idea what their costs are and what I can get away with. When I do the haggle dance with the tractor dealer it would be nice to know their costs. Any ideas?
It's been therapeutic for me to type out my thoughts on the matter. Thank you in advance to anyone who responds. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

fluffyone · Mar 12, 2004

These both are great machines. You can not go wrong with either one. It comes down to two things and you will this all over this site.
1. The dealer, which one will give you the best service. The best price is not always best in the long run. A bad dealer can ruin a Great Tractor.
2. Which one do you feel more comfortable in. Which one fits you best? Which controls fit your motion and body moves the best. Which seat is more comfortable? Things like that.

I personally would go with the TC40DA, if it a DA that is agreat looking machine. You will either love the headlights or hate them

I am in the same boat as you, I can not make up my mind either. But I know I am level headed, because the drool runs out of both sides of my mouth just thinking about either one.

Good luck and let us know and do not forget the photos.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Mar 12, 2004

Both of those are fine tractors, and you'll probably be happy with either one. Just get the one that "feels" best to you and from the dealer you like best (they both sound like pretty good prices to me). I have a little preference for the Kubota, but that's just my personal preference, and I like Bush Hog implements. I noticed one typo in your list, though. You say a "5' Bush Hog SQ720 rotary cutter" and the SQ720 is a 6' instead of 5', and in my opinion, the 6' size would be what I would want with that tractor.