TC 30 vs TC 21

Knute · Mar 20, 2004

Yesterday I rented a TC 30 from a local rental shop to do some work around the property, my first time running a tractor. It worked great, ample power (except for one log that turned out to be a lot bigger than I thought), Woods 7500 back hoe worked great for pulling up vine maples and what not.

However the tractor I've been thinking of getting is a TC21, or a Kubota 7500, both quite a bit smaller than the TC 30 both in power and weight. My question is when actually using them how much difference is there? For general landscaping type work, removing brush, pulling out yet more vine maples, scraping up thorny underbrush, leveling out some 2-3' tall berms that were built up by a dozer is the TC21 likely to feel under powered after using the TC30?

I realize it's a subjective question, just looking for some opinions.

John

Mrwurm · Mar 20, 2004

I currently own a TC30, but my last tractor was a JD650 18hp. That tractor really strained when pulling six ft implements such as a rake or back blade. I guess if you buy the smaller machine you will just need to buy smaller implements and work in smaller bites.

AndyMA · Mar 20, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( is the TC21 likely to feel under powered after using the TC30?

I realize it's a subjective question, just looking for some opinions.

John )</font>

In a coupel of words... YES. The TC21 is on the smaller side of the lineup where as the TC30 is near the mid size. As I've moved up through the sizes, JD 750, Ford 1710, then ford 2120 I would never want to go backwards. The TC21 is a good mower and can move snow okay, but to do much earth moving, nothing can compare to size and weight.

Andy

thcri · Mar 20, 2004

I had a 21, then traded it in after one year for a 29. After having the 30 under your seat you will be dissapointed in the 21.

Just my opinion but the 21 will do what you are asking it will just take longer.

murph

Bob_Skurka · Mar 20, 2004

I've got a TC24D which is basically a TC21 with a slightly larger engine. I looked at your profile and you have 15 acres, I would suggest that the 21 might be smaller than what you will want if you are maintaining all 15 acres. I would opt for a TC29 or a TC30.

Knute · Mar 20, 2004

Thanks for the replies guys.

Bob, most of the 15 acres, as in about 13.5 of it, is wild growth. It was logged over around 25 years ago and left to it's own devices so right now it's a mix of ~20 year old trees, black berries, ferns and anything that can compete with those plants. We're looking to expand, build a play area for the kids and make some trails in the currently wild area.

The 29 or 30 would certainly do the job based on what I was able to do yesterday. What concerns me with them is the size, and their manuverability among the trees. Our goal is to keep as many trees as possible and remove the undergrowth. It wasn't to difficult yesterday with the TC30, but I wonder if the smaller one is enough more manuverable for the power trade off, or if once you put a loader and backhoe on them if it's really any easier among the trees.

Larger equipment would make some of the tasks easier but the contractors who cleared the area for our house went a little overboard and took out some trees that my wife wanted to keep, so she's leary of turning me loose with anything to large - she originally wanted me to open it up for the play area with a weed eater! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Bob_Skurka · Mar 20, 2004

Given what you said, then I can see why you'd go for a smaller tractor. I think the price difference between the TC24 and the TC21 is only $300. You might want to consider getting the most powerful engine in the smallest frame size you can fit it into. . . that means the TC24D. It is a very nice balance of power to size, you will find you run out of traction before you run out of horsepower, but that extra horsepower will let you pull slightly larger implements. As for larger tractors versus smaller ones, I have a Kubota B2910 that is probably slightly (but not much) larger than a TC30. I specifically bought my TC24D for 2 reasons, one is to mow my fields, the other is to work in my woods where the B2910 simply doesn't fit very well.