TC33D v. TC35D v. Kubota L3130

[thcri]

Ernie,

Based on you last post I guess I serously would look at the TC35D then. You will get the better loader and you will have a larger frame tractor for the hills you just talked about.

Yes you can out and get an after market loader from Bush Hog and a couple of other places. My personal opinion and experience is you will pay more for them. So staying with the 33 and the after market loader would put you back op around the 35 price anyway.

murph

 

[jinman]

Ernie, I'm making my recommendation based on the "clearing" use for your tractor rather than the relatively few acres you have (5.5). It's a hard choice because when you are finished clearing, you may have more tractor than you need. I do lots of clearing with my TC45D and I am so happy with it for that job that sometimes I think it was made with me setting the specs. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It is ideal for for the heavy jobs, but can still handle the delicate jobs too. Of course, I have 33 acres, mostly wooded. That's a lot different than 5.5 acres. Only you know what you really need to do and choosing is hard. Whatever color or model you choose in this price/size range will get the job done. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

Jim, you are so right. I had a lot of dirt to cut and move. I bought a tractor (Kubota L48) for that use and when I was done found it awkward to use as effectively as I would have liked for the weekly chores of mowing etc. I decided to sell it while it still had great resale potential. In hindsight, it would have been cheaper to either rent an industrial tractor for a week or two or have it done. My thoughts for Ernie are, now that we apparently know a new loader is in the works for the TC33D, is to either wait for it or decide that the current one is good enough. Of course, my choice between the two NH's still would be for the TC35D, but hey, thats the Tim the Toolman Taylor syndrome working in me. Sometimes you just gotta do what you wanna do, not what you should do! Rat...

 

[jinman]

RaT, I still don't know how you parted with the L48, but my perspective is based on my needs and I'm trying to give Ernie objective advice when the "Tim the Toolman" side wants to suggest he buy a dozer. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif What I think Ernie needs to do is to test drive the tractors over and over until he can decide which he will be happy with. Looking at tractors' specs just can't compare with the test drive method. I had many years of experience and two Fords with 32 hp or more when I went to buy my tractor. I first considered the TC35D, but one test drive made me realize I wanted all the horsepower I could put in front of the HST tranny. Sometimes when I'm pushing against a tree and it's winning, I yearn for 50+ hp. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif For that type work, you always want more power. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

So true Jim!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I remarked to my dealer that what I really needed was the "Incredible Shrinking Tractor", and he's been using that line in his sales pitches since (both ways) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I started off looking at a used Case construction loader/backhoe that would have been useful building the Panama Canal, and ended up with a TC18 based on my dealer's evaluation of what I would do with it next year, when the construction is done. I almost bought a slightly used TC33D with a backhoe for just a little more than my TC18, but my dealer said he would rent me a mini-track excavator for all the time I would need it for less money than the difference in price between the tractors.

I was lucky that my dealer convinced me to avoid the Tim the Toolman syndrome. I rented a Cat 416 for the clearing, which is now just about done. And, I'm hiring a contractor with a 53' track hoe, D6 dozer, big articulated wheel loader and several dump trucks to dig my pond and spread and compact the spoil. My total outlay for all the rental work/contracting will be around $6000, which would easily have bought me a new TC35D or TC40D over and above my TC18, but I would probably still be clearing the first part of my property, would have taken forever to dig a pond, and I would have been stuck with a big, heavy tractor afterwards, on 5 acres of flat, sandy land.

The TC33D would probably have been a good size for my place because I could pull a 5' vs. a 4' brush hog, etc, but the TC18 will do everything I want it to do, just a little slower - like me. I might have made a different decision if the 14LA loader had been available; my 12LA will do almost as much as the 7308.

Like someone said, everyone ultimately ends up with the best tractor for them. All we can do is share our decision making process and hope that some of it might help.

 

[jinman]

Don, it's hard to disagree with anything you said...so I won't. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I especially like your description of the proper equipment and method of getting a pond dug. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[John_Mc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The loader issue is really what is throwing a wrench in my thought process- if the LA loader was available for the TC33D, I would not hesitate to get that unit. Are there any other loaders that would give me more performance for a similar price?)</font>

I've got a Woods 1012 loader on my TC33D. It's got heavier lift capacity (1100# if I remember correctly), as well as larger dump and rollback angles than the NH 7308. Cost was about the same as the NH loader. I've been very happy with the performance and how well it fits to the tractor. I'd buy the same set up again without hesitation (well, I guess I would hesitate if the 14LA were out and compared favorably) There are a couple of others here on TBN with the same set-up; hopefully they'll chime in.

Having said that, lots of folks are happy with their 7308 loaders. You might want to try one out before you rule it out. See if your dealer will let you pick up a load from a pile of dirt or sand and see how it handles. You may find it fits your needs just fine.