Used NH TC40D or Kubota?

Blue Planet · May 21, 2011

Hey All,

New member here and rookie tractor owner/operator. As in "never have" though am a boat fanatic and have owned way too many; mechanically pretty inclined. Posted this in the NH section, but thought it might get more traction here; sorry if this isn't a good idea.

Considering a 2004 TC40D with about 1,450 hours. Has a 17LA loader and is offered with several implements. A few questions:

1. What should I carefully check out if I go to see it (long distance away)?
2. Any way to add or modify so that I can quickly change out bucket to pallet forks?
3. Can I quickly and easily tell if the loader joystick is joyous (new design that won't break!)?
4. General advice/opinions about this model? Use is on a farm. Flat ground, sandy loam soil. Discing, bed shaping, etc.
5. Any comparisons against Kubota M series, for example? Maybe MX5100 or M6040? (I know, HP range isn't apples to apples.)

Thanks SO much for some wisdom and advice!

Don87 · May 21, 2011

Blue Planet said:
Hey All,

New member here and rookie tractor owner/operator. As in "never have" though am a boat fanatic and have owned way too many; mechanically pretty inclined. Posted this in the NH section, but thought it might get more traction here; sorry if this isn't a good idea.

Considering a 2004 TC40D with about 1,450 hours. Has a 17LA loader and is offered with several implements. A few questions:

1. What should I carefully check out if I go to see it (long distance away)?
2. Any way to add or modify so that I can quickly change out bucket to pallet forks?
3. Can I quickly and easily tell if the loader joystick is joyous (new design that won't break!)?
4. General advice/opinions about this model? Use is on a farm. Flat ground, sandy loam soil. Discing, bed shaping, etc.
5. Any comparisons against Kubota M series, for example? Maybe MX5100 or M6040? (I know, HP range isn't apples to apples.)

Thanks SO much for some wisdom and advice!

I'm not a New Holland fan..........so I can't help you a whole lot.

But, with that being said..........check everything.............from the paint to the brakes. Repairs cost money...........sometimes lots of money.

Run it................actually use it if possible...............

The only other thing I can add is............... there seem to be more used New Holland tractors for sale, than all other major brands combined.

bigbull338 · May 22, 2011

1st thing you need todo is go your kubota dealer an look at an drive both tractors.l have the MX5100 HST 4x4 ROPS an LA844 loader.the 6040 is a nice tractor as well.personally i think youd better off buying a new tractor if you can.

dynasim · May 22, 2011

A TC40D is much smaller than the Kubota tractors you are discussing. It is really and apple and oranges comparison.

I have a TC45D, and I like it. There are lots of threads about skid steer QA conversions for the 16LA and 17LA loaders. They joystick thread came to a joyous ending, but is reborn everyonce in a while in fun.

I really like the supersteer version(the type you are looking at), but I would read up on them a bit to make sure you know what you are gettiing.

Chris

Grandad4 · May 22, 2011

That New Holland may be a smoking hot deal - or maybe not - but that doesn't mean it's the best machine for the work you plan to do. It's not really designed primarily for crop work and a true agricultural tractor might work better for what you want to do, particularly if you're farm is more than 10 or 20 acres. Can you be a bit more specific about acreage, what implements you expect to use, what crops, etc.?

Nothing wrong with a TC-40... they are good tractors, but it's not obvious that it's a good choice for what you said you want to do.

Sort of like, well, you probably can pull a water skier behind a bass boat, but most people opt for a ski boat.

Blue Planet · May 23, 2011

Thanks everyone.

As for acreage, currently about 7 acres of row crops, though that could increase. May also establish an orchard in January--perhaps 20-30 acres.

Appreciate any additional input!

Grandad4 · May 23, 2011

That helps to understand your situation. I'm not a New Holland guy, but there have been plenty of TC40 owners here on TBN who mostly have been pretty happy with their tractors from what I've read. You'll probably get a comment from an NH owner about that particular machine you're considering.

With your apparent amount of land, the first thought is you'd want a bit larger tractor such as the Kubota's you mentioned. Handling your tillage work on the 7 acres would no doubt benefit from a larger tractor, but then a smaller tractor might work better in your orchard project for mowing, spraying, harvesting and whatnot.

I think the Kubota MX models would also work OK for you... maybe a good compromise.

TripleR · May 23, 2011

I have been operating tractors for over 50 years and will buy a used tractor under only two conditions:

1. My brother who is a mechanic and actually started out as a tractor mechanic checks it out.
2. I buy it from a dealer who has all of the service and repair information available.

Otherwise, I buy new.

There are some very knowledgeable TBN members here with the ability to pick a good used tractor, but I am not one of them.

1450 hours is not a lot of hours, but if it has not been properly maintained and used heavily, there could be a lot of wear which even though you are mechanically inclined will not be able to pick up on since you are not famiiar with tractors.

The best advice I can give if you decide to proceed on your own is to go to a dealer and drive something new as close to it as possible so you will at least have a baseline for comparison.

My nearest neighbor has had a NH for many years and he is very well pleased with it, but I have never aid any attention to what model it is.