summerize difference between TC30 and Boomers ?

dirtwhisperer · Aug 25, 2004

I keep seeing the TC30 as the economical or entry point tractor from NH posted here - I looked through the specs - you can get most of the goodies - Hydro tranny, live independent PTO, all tire options, MMM, 4WD. I see it doesn't have the nice slanted hood - so what are the tradeoffs of the TC30 over either the TC29 or TC33 other than HP and hood ? And how much $$$ will you save over - say the TC29 ?

Bob_Skurka · Aug 25, 2004

summerize: PLAIN VANILLA versus ROCKY ROAD with whip cream, pecans & cherries.

dirtwhisperer · Aug 25, 2004

Bob: Does that mean on the TC30 - you can only eat plain Vanilla Ice Cream ? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · Aug 25, 2004

Does that mean on the TC30 - you can only eat plain Vanilla Ice Cream ? 

Yup, and it is the low fat no sugar added kind!

The TC30 is the tried and true old school tractor, cheaper to produce with no frills. You are correct that it can be had in a few configuration like 2wd or 4wd, gear or HST. But the TC29 is a fully loaded whistles and bells machine with all the deluxe features included in each version (gear or HST) and available with even more stuff like SuperSteer. Also the loaders on the TC29 are the new style which really offer a superior advantage in seeing what you are doing with the FEL, the curved loaders I believe also have greater capacity.

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 25, 2004

IMO, the only reason they continue to make the TC30 is to have somthing to compare to the Zetor, Centry, Agco, etc,etc. Its based on 20 year old technology. Thats not a bad thing to everyone and they continue to sell a fair amount of them so it remains in production. Its not nearly as nice as the Boomers but its a good heavy value tractor.

dirtwhisperer · Aug 25, 2004

( Its not nearly as nice as the Boomers but its a good heavy value tractor.
)
Thats what I am trying to get answered. "not nearly as nice"- SO far - no Slanted hood, NO supersteer. Where does the "OLD" technology come into play here ? Thanks.

goatman · Aug 25, 2004

I Have a TC30 with great bend loader.. Power steering, non-adjustable rops, gear drive , I have a lot of hills and fear free wheeling with HST.. I did not look at the TC 29,33 as the price was prohibitive for me.. I have used a 5ft bush hog, cleaned out stalls and used a scaper blade and have no compaints other than it came with 1 piece rims on rear and I can't widen them much.. But I think all of the NH tractors under 35hp come with 1 peice rims.. Good luck on your decision.... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

jwstewar · Aug 25, 2004

( , I have a lot of hills and fear free wheeling with HST )

Funny, I've never freewheeled with my HST. That was one of the first things I would do when test driving tractors. Get them on a hill and let off the HST pedal. All came to a stop pretty quick - w/o locking the rear tires up which is usually what happens when I hit the brakes on my tractor and I'm moving at a fairly quick (at least for a tractor /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) speed.

PineRidge · Aug 25, 2004

Jim funny you should say that as I was thinking the same thing. I would be more concerned with pushing in a clutch on sloped ground myself. I never had any problems mowing the backside of my steep dam with the HST.

AndyM · Aug 25, 2004

And how much $$$ will you save over - say the TC29 ? 

The savings on a TC30 over a TC29 is substantial-- A TC30 compares in cost with a smaller TC24 (within a couple hundred dollars).

Even though it was more tractor than I need, the TC30 was one of my top choices because of its value. Even though it has a non-folding ROPS, non-sloping hood, non-curved loader arms, and simpler gauges and dash lights, it performs the same functions as a TC29 for a couple thousand dollars less. Since price was an important factor for me, the TC30 got great consideration, before I ended up with my TC18.

jwstewar · Aug 26, 2004

( I would be more concerned with pushing in a clutch on sloped ground myself. ) I forgot to mention that part. I bushhog a drainage ditch that runs through my property. There are parts of that if my tractor were gear, I'm sure by now I would have had a problem, now I'm talking a straight gear that would be in my little TC-24, not the shuttle shift and the like where you just flip a lever. I've had this same discussion with my wife about how glad I am that I have the hydro while do that task. My neighbor even admits I can do it safer and quicker than he can with his 36 HP, geared Long even though he is taking bigger cuts on his portion of the ditch.

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 26, 2004

The construction of the tractor is different. There are exposed bolts, not studs, to mount the loaders, the controls are not located very well because the linkage and engineering adds to the cost. The gauges and dash are not laid out as nicely. The are operational differences, the transmission is not quite as smooth.

Again, its not a bad tractor. Its just built with older technology.

dirtwhisperer · Aug 26, 2004

Thanks Neil - That helps by what you mean about the 'construction' being different. If you choose the Hydro - is that a different (less smooth) operating Hydro than what is used in the Boomers ?

Golfgar4 · Aug 26, 2004

( ...so what are the tradeoffs of the TC30 over either the TC29 or TC33 other than HP and hood ? )

I don't recall seeing anything mentioned about 2 other differences. I believe that the "Boomers" have a swivel seat, at least on the "D" models. Also, the Boomers have telescoping lower links.

Bob_Skurka · Aug 26, 2004

I think something we are glancing over is that for the extra money of the TC29 there are some serious operational advantages when it comes to the loader and doing that type of work. Someone who is looking at 30hp machines and has some serious FEL work to do would be pretty wise to jump on the TC29 because of the curved & sloped hood and curved loader arms because they do make shorter work of big piles of anything than a "traditional" style tractor. (Granted, a Power Trac unit would be even better for FEL work, but if we limit our choices to any 30hp major/minor brand, the TC29 is among the best choices for FEL work). The ergonomics of the TC29 are outstanding making for efficent use. The standard folding ROPS allows the machine to get into even small barns. The SuperSteer option allows the tractor to work inside barn aisles that would challenge even smaller tractors. SuperSteer is also great for people who do a lot of mowing, especially around landscaping or trees, and can become a dramatic time saver. The TC30's ergonomic layout is based more on the mechanical ease of assembly at a low cost than on the ease of the operator to safely and comfortably operate the machine (this is true of many old style machines as well).

I guess, what it boils down to is that IF you need/want some of the features of the TC29, then you would not even consider the TC30. And if you are simply out to buy the most horsepower for the money, then you would not consider the TC29.

dirtwhisperer · Aug 26, 2004

What exactly are "telescoping lower links" and what do they do for you ?
Yea - the swivel seat could be nice - especially for a rear mount PTO snowblower - those look like they could be neck benders if the seat doesn't swivel

Golfgar4 · Aug 26, 2004

( What exactly are "telescoping lower links" and what do they do for you ? )

They make attaching the implements a whole lot easier. You don't have to back up quite as closely to the implement as you would with standard lower links. When you're close enough to the implement, you simply "telescope" out the link to the implement, rather than trying to wrestle the implement to the tractor. Once hooked up, you just back up again, and the links lock into place.

goatman · Aug 26, 2004

Free wheeling???When I was asking this question prior to buying, I couldn't get a straight answer about the free wheeling on hillside , even from the dealer "if your are concerned you might look at the gear drive".. Now the "experts" are coming out of the woodwork!!! Sure would have been a nice option esp when cleaning out stalls...But I probably been too cheap to spring for it... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

jwstewar · Aug 26, 2004

I've been wanting to ask you this for awhile. Not sure where in Southern Ohio you are from, but when you were looking did you ever look at Cross & Sons in Jackson? I know the price you quoted here a few weeks ago was close to what he quoted me for a TC-30 when I bought the 24.

goatman · Aug 26, 2004

Ironton," Home of the Fighting Tigers"... I called Cross and sons and his price was competitive to the dealer in NC. Faxed pictures of my trade And he was $2000 under what NC was offering.. So I thought for the 2k would take a road trip.. I would have prefered to buy from him as the previous tractor I had, was bought from him....( not the one I traded)... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif