rumproast
Member
I am in the market for a 4x4 tractor w/FEL. I made the rounds and test drove most of whats out there. We have 100++ acres of old farm land and wet land that has grown over w/ alders and spruce. We currently have a 1974 case 680 backhoe (digs great but shuttle trans is weak and machine so heavy it sinks 2wd) and a 194? Int'l TD9 dozer(spent more time under than on) and need some dependable 4wd to to help reclaim some fields, bring in gravel, and make some trails. We have a limited buget and can't afford nor want a hydro.
After trying most hydro and gear models the TC30 felt the most comfortable. The location of the shifter is ingenious-similiar to my Cases shuttle and it shifts with ease. It is also one of the cheapest (15,500). However,compared to the kubota L3400 (16,000) the TC30s FEL is very low on digging power. Is this a common problem? Can it be fixed or a different loader? And now I have been reading of TC30s cracking between the engine block and bell housing. Is this true or not? I really felt good in the seat of the tc30 but don't want if not dependable. Also what works better in wet areas industrial (seem wider) or AG tires?
Just for info the following tractors are what I tried,..
John Deere 3203 ..salesman kept showing my hydro models in20,000 range
Branson ?280i.. great well built machine easiest by far to use and shift but 18,500 for an off brand?
TYM330.. another powerful great built sychro but 19300 for an off brand?
Montana 39hp hydro...nice build but tranny seemed weak
montana gear...hardest tractor to shift of all but tractor built nice
TC40 boomer sss ..nicest tractor but out of my price 22,000 plastic sucks
Massey 1528 gear very nice only 14,990 but I had a harder time fwd _reverse than the TC30. Salesman was the best he offered me to take it home to try with no strings attch he will even deliver and pick up..I foolishly declined. Seemed like he really believed in his product.
Kubota L3400 nice build powerful -TC30 is just slightly easier to shift. Tc30 also has a slower creep speed.
Kubota 3240 dt shuttle. very very nice but can't afford 19,500 +tax.
kioti ck25 nice well built, shuttle a little stiff shifting, 15,400 + but only 25 horse
DISCLAIMER: this is just my opinion
I Thank you for any imput you may have for I have developed tractoritis and need help asap.
After trying most hydro and gear models the TC30 felt the most comfortable. The location of the shifter is ingenious-similiar to my Cases shuttle and it shifts with ease. It is also one of the cheapest (15,500). However,compared to the kubota L3400 (16,000) the TC30s FEL is very low on digging power. Is this a common problem? Can it be fixed or a different loader? And now I have been reading of TC30s cracking between the engine block and bell housing. Is this true or not? I really felt good in the seat of the tc30 but don't want if not dependable. Also what works better in wet areas industrial (seem wider) or AG tires?
Just for info the following tractors are what I tried,..
John Deere 3203 ..salesman kept showing my hydro models in20,000 range
Branson ?280i.. great well built machine easiest by far to use and shift but 18,500 for an off brand?
TYM330.. another powerful great built sychro but 19300 for an off brand?
Montana 39hp hydro...nice build but tranny seemed weak
montana gear...hardest tractor to shift of all but tractor built nice
TC40 boomer sss ..nicest tractor but out of my price 22,000 plastic sucks
Massey 1528 gear very nice only 14,990 but I had a harder time fwd _reverse than the TC30. Salesman was the best he offered me to take it home to try with no strings attch he will even deliver and pick up..I foolishly declined. Seemed like he really believed in his product.
Kubota L3400 nice build powerful -TC30 is just slightly easier to shift. Tc30 also has a slower creep speed.
Kubota 3240 dt shuttle. very very nice but can't afford 19,500 +tax.
kioti ck25 nice well built, shuttle a little stiff shifting, 15,400 + but only 25 horse
DISCLAIMER: this is just my opinion
I Thank you for any imput you may have for I have developed tractoritis and need help asap.
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