summerize difference between TC30 and Boomers ?

Prefect · Aug 26, 2004

I'm no expert on the subject, but I recently bought a TC-30. I'm not a short guy so the sloped hood didn't really make much of a difference to me (I can see my loader). I wasn't prohibited by cost, but by conscience. I'm not flush with money, but I could have afforded to buy either the TC-30 or the TC-29. I wanted to buy the best tractor for the money. I think I did just that. I'm not one to pay a lot of money for whistles and bells that aren't going to have a significant return on my investment. There is nothing on that tractor that I can't reach conveniently and safely. Actually, compared to many other tractors of a newer ilk, it was more ergonomic. Like I said before, I'm not a short guy so reaching everything isn't an issue for me.

All in all, I think the TC-30 was the best tractor for MY money.

trkbldr · Aug 26, 2004

I think most of the major differences have been pointed out. Maybe I can elaborate just a little /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

<ul type="square"> The sloped hood really increases forward visibility. The ability to add a curved arm loader is the cherry on the sundae.

The seat on the Boomer is much more comfortable. It slides forward and down as opposed to just forward. It also has an adjustment for the amount of "bounce" you desire. And as mentioned, it has the swivel feature.

The telescopic lift arms are a back saver, or in my case a toe saver /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. As Golfgar4 pointed out, just back up as best you can to an implement. When things fail to line up, just adjust the end of the arm to meet the pin. This is WAY better than pulling and tugging on the implement to line things up. Also, I prefer the stabilizer system on the Boomer to the turnbuckle system on the TC30.

One thing I don't think has been mentioned is that the TC30 does not have a drawbar.

The foldable ROPS is important if you will be storing the tractor in a space with low overhead. Might want to measure first /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.

I looked at both the TC30 and the Boomers when shopping. I personally wanted the features offered by the Boomer. As an old bald headed fat man, I wanted comfort and ease of use /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Yeah, a few dollars more but in my opinion money well spent. On the other hand, the TC30 will do the same chores as my 33DA and costs less. If you haven't already, find a dealer with both units on the lot. Have them put the tractors side by side and do the comparison yourself. Take notes. Pick up the brochures. Then decide which one fits your particular needs and budget. [/list]

To20Chris · Aug 26, 2004

Different brand, but your logic was exactly the same as mine. When it's Saturday morning, and I have a job to do, I like knowing I have the machine to do it. Beyond that, I have other priorities. I know curved loader arms are better. I know an open operator platform is better. I also know I would not spend much for them - I would buy another implement to increase my capability, or save the money for something else entirely. If you've got it and that's what you want to spend it on, I'm not passing any judgments, but for me the simpler, capable machine was the way to go.

theboman · Aug 26, 2004

Goatman, check with Davis Equipment Company in Ashland and take him the quotes on paper... He did me right.... I'm an orange guy but the TC30 is weighting on my mind in the future.

( 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 )

fishman · Aug 26, 2004

Again, different brand, but my Kubota b2910 has a square hood and traditionally styled loader arms. It works great. My dad's TC 40D has a sloped hood and curved loader arms and it works great too. Personally, I fail to see how I could possibly be any more efficient at loader work with my b2910 than I already am.

One thing that it has that the TC40D does not is that reverse is just as fast as the forward speed. It's frustrating to mash on the reverse pedal and have your tractor move at half speed when you've already got your load and want to go. To me, that is much more important than curved loader arms.

And with the money you save buying the TC30, you can afford to eat rocky road ice cream sundaes every day on your new tractor instead of cheapy bargain vanilla. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bob_Skurka · Aug 26, 2004

Personally, I fail to see how I could possibly be any more efficient at loader work with my b2910 than I already am. 

My neighbor said the same thing . . . until he used the B2910/LA402 and the TC24/12LA side by side. Now he is looking to trade his Kubota in for a TC33DA.

goatman · Aug 26, 2004

I did speak with Davis and price was right but: again trade was $2500 off what I could get by driving to NC.. If you interested in looking at driving a TC 30 PM me. Also If you like I might be open to an offer?? I am disappointed in the width of the rear end and as you know not much level ground in around Kitts Hill.I might have to go bigger ie 35-40. Are you, "THE BOMAN"... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

theboman · Aug 27, 2004

Yep, I are THE BO-MAN.... I love my bluegrass! I'm not interested in driving one... I know I'd have to get one! I'm happy with my B7500 now but one of these days....

brewster · Aug 27, 2004

One small comment on the telescoping lift arms - I did order those as an option on my TC30. I think it was about $200. I'm sure glad I got them.

fishman · Aug 27, 2004

Isn't the TC24 quite a bit heavier than the 2910? I test drove a TC24D a couple of months ago and it feels like a much larger machine. Things I liked about it were the nice seat and high ride height. Unfortunately, that same high ride height would get me a faceful of tree limbs on my place. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif So for my place, at least, I'd better stick with what I have.

Anyway, I think the differences you see might be related as much to a heavier tractor and higher ride height, as the sloped hood and curved loader arms.

Bob_Skurka · Aug 27, 2004

fishman, I think you are confused.

The TC24 is a small frame tractor, it shares the same frame as the TC21, they use the 12LA loader. The little 12LA loader, however, has greater lift capacity and breakout force than Kubota's LA402 that is mounted on the B2910 (and B7800).

For size comparison, the TC24 is roughly the same size as the B2410 or B7610. The TC24 is shorter (LOA), narrower (48" vs 54") and lighter than the B2910. Also, with the ROPS in the UP position, the TC24 fits inside my garage with about 1/2" to spare, but the B2910 is easily 6" or more taller than the TC24 -I never bothered to do an actual measurement, but I think the TC24 is at least 6" shorter than the B2910.

The TC29 is a mid frame tractor, it is similar in size to the Kubota B2910.

When I was buying a trailer earlier this summer, I measured the B2910 with FEL & Box Blade at about 15' LOA. I measured the TC24 with FEL & tiller at about 13.5' LOA. I bought a 14' trailer because it was the smallest that I could use to carry either tractor without the need for a warning flag on the rear.

fishman · Aug 27, 2004

( fishman, I think you are confused. )

Well, that's entirely possible, indeed very likely.

I test drove a used TC24D with supersteer and no loader that a client of mine owned (only wanted $7500, with 250 hours on the meter). Anyway, it certainly felt taller and heavier than my 2910. Must just be some great engineering. A really nice machine that I would have been very interested in except that I already had a tractor and mine was more than half paid off.

I still think personal preference (how a tractor feels to the prospective buyer) plays a huge role in which tractor one thinks is "best". Odds are, it is best for you and what you are doing. Some folks are even known to argue that old iron works better than new tractors . . . and they probably do for those that own them and are familiar with them.

fishman · Aug 27, 2004

Well, I felt confused, so I decided to do a little research on the differences between the TC24D and the b2910. Sorry to hijack this thread, somewhat, but Bob Skurka has been such a cheerleader for boomers with sloped hoods and curved loader arms that I had to see what advantage was there. This information is relevant whichever tractor color you are buying.

And I have to say that the specs from the Kubota and New Holland web sites don't indicate any advantage. Let me take each one of Bob's points and put some data with it:

( The little 12LA loader, however, has greater lift capacity and breakout force than Kubota's LA402 that is mounted on the B2910 (and B7800). )

Not true. The 12LA lifts 1090 lbs at the pivit pin at full height and 750 500 mm forward of the pivit pin at full height. Comparative stats for the LA402 is 1060 and 760.

( For size comparison, the TC24 is roughly the same size as the B2410 or B7610. The TC24 is shorter (LOA), narrower (48" vs 54") and lighter than the B2910.)

The TC24D is listed at 106.2" in length and the Kubota is 99.2". The Kubota website specifies "w/o 3-pt hitch" whereas the New Holland does not specify. Wheelbase for the tc24Dis 57.5" vs 65.6" for the b2910. The TC24D width is 44.7 vs 53.8" for the Kubota, but tire type is not specified for either. The weight of the TC24D is 1723 lbs vs 1763 for the Kubota b2910. So to summarize, the TC24D appears to be shorter and narrower than the b2910, but it weighs the same.

( The TC29 is a mid frame tractor, it is similar in size to the Kubota B2910. )

It may be similar in size, but it weighs 2474 lbs vs 1763 for the Kubota.

So perhaps the reason the TC24D with the 12LA loader lifts as much as the Kubota b2910 with the LA402 loader is that they both weigh pretty much the same?

I now recall that when I looked at NH vs Kubota, my take was that Kubota had crammed an engine with a 6hp advantage into a frame that weighed the same as the 24D. Right or wrong, my reasoning went "Why have 24 hp when you can have 30?" Overall length was similar and the wider stance had to improve stability on my hilly terrain. For me it was a no brainer.

Anyway, back to the point of this post. While the sloped hood and curved loader arms may provide the advantage of improved visibility, there is no evidence that they are somehow, magically, able to lift more because they are curved. It seems logical that loader lift capacity would be limited (and sized to) the counterweight, which is the tractor its attached to.

JayC · Aug 28, 2004

( I test drove a used TC24D with supersteer and no loader that a client of mine owned (only wanted $7500, with 250 hours on the meter). )

Are you sure it was the TC24D? New Holland doesn't put SuperSteer on their Class I machines. They start putting SuperSteer on the Class II and up.

fishman · Aug 28, 2004

Oh my, what happened to my previous post. What a mess! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Yes it was a TC24D. The turning radius was so tight I assumed it must have supersteer. The seller did not know. After reading the specs I discovered my error.

Bob_Skurka · Aug 28, 2004

fishman . . . if I have some time (and the rain stops) I'll shoot some side by side pictures of the B2910 and the TC24. By comparison, the TC24 looks like a baby tractor to the B2910. The TC24 is a 24hp machine, the B2910 is a 30hp machine. The TC24 LOA is easily 12" shorter than the B2910 when measured from the rear of the 3pt to the front of the bucket; the width, as measured from outside of the tire to outside of the opposite tire (R4 Industrials are on both machines) puts the TC24 about 6" narrower. Again, not sure the height of either to the top of the ROPS, but the TC24 fits in the garage and the B2910 is easily 6" taller.

As for the loaders here are the specs I have (all taken from the various mfg's websites)

LA12 & LX112 = 1720 breakout, 1090 lift, max height up to 7'1" (fits Farmall DX24 & NH TC24) Capacity at bucket listed at 750# and 800# at full lift height, depending on the spec sheet you check.

Kubota LA402 = 1684 breakout, 1060 lift, max height up to 6'8" (fits B2910) Capacity at bucket listed at 760# at full lift height.

I think that given that the smaller, less powerful tractor (the TC24) has a loader that has slightly better specs than the larger, more powerful tractor (B2910) makes my case.

Now, if you want to do an apples-to-apples comparison in terms of roughly equivalent size & hp, I think the B2910 with the LA402 loader would match much more closely to the TC29 with the 14LA loader (both are 30hp machines, both are roughly similar in size (length & width), both have similar PTO hp). The TC24 is a small tractor (perhaps a bit heavier than similar size Kubotas, but lighter than similar size (CK20) Kiotis).

fishman · Aug 29, 2004

What you say about the size differences makes sense, Bob. I guess my main point was that the manufactures may use tractor weight to determine loader specs, as opposed to length and/or width. One could test that assumption pretty easily if one had all the data. A regression with loader capacity as the dependent variable and length, width, lengthxwidth, and weight all as different independent variables. One could then test if a certain manufacturer or model was significantly above or below the line. Getting standardized data might be a problem though.

However, if the data were out there, it wouldn't be to big of a chore.

Bob_Skurka · Aug 30, 2004

fishman, I took the TC24 out of the garage to run it back over to the B2910 to get some pictures, but the rain ruined my plan and the tractor started leaving some ruts in the lawn, something the lovely Mrs_Bob frowns upon. So I did the next best thing. I got out a tape measure. The TC24 as measured from the cutting edge of the bucket to the ball sockets of the 3pt is about 12' long. The B2910, measured the same way, is about 13.4' long. I forgot to measure to the top of the B2910 ROPS!!!

I think the parallel machines would line up this way:
Small Frame Machines:
TC21 = B7500
TC24 = B2410 or B7610
Medium Frame Machines:
TC30 = B7800 -bargain machines
TC29 = B2910 -fully featured machines