What is comparable to a Case DX33?

[daTeacha]

In trying to decide which tractor to get, I'm basically going nuts sorting out all the numbers. I have brochures from all the big names, dealers for all the big names within about the same distance, and one type of relationship or another with either the dealers or sales staff. Right now I'm leaning heavily toward Case or Kubota from the dealer I've worked with over the years, but the guy at the Deere store is a former student, son of a friend, etc. and the store is also a good place to deal with. What is the Deere you guys would feel is comparable to the DX29/33 or Kubota B2630/3030? A 10 series? If so, which one? While we're at it, why should I buy a Deere instead of one of the others. I want a small package, about 65" wb. and 110" length, about 54" width, 25-30 hp, FEL, HST, R4s, suspension seat if possible, telescoping link ends if possible, around 1800 to 2500 lb, about 800 to 1000 lb lift on the loader, 1000 or so on the 3 pt., and general user friendliness for a guy with a couple of slightly herniated or compressed disks in his back. Price is also a major factor here.

 

[flwiii]

I think that the John Deere website compares its 3320 model to the DX33.

 

[hobbyfarm]

dateacha,
Don't forget to look at the MF 1533, very similar specs to the two mentioned. Might be the most economical one of the bunch.

 

[daTeacha]

Hmmm. Isn't MF now Agco? I have two friends who work at an Agco dealership and have lightly looked at their equipment, but now I have to look again. My FIL would like that almost as much as if I went with the blue brand since he spent an awful lot of hours in the seat of the WD-45 which I got back up and running for him a few years ago.

That was pretty neat to see. The tractor had been sitting in the barn at my not-yet-wife's place. I asked her about it while working on fixing her barn roof, kitchen and assorted other things. Seems her ex had hired someone to fix it, but with no luck. I had been asking Harold (FIL) about various things around the farm when they came over and I was working there.

I decided to see what I could do with the old AC. I pulled the plugs, poured a little oil into each cylinder and let it sit for a couple of days. I turned it over by hand and then I hooked up a battery to the thing with no plugs in it. It cranked pretty nicely. I changed the oil, water, filter, points, plugs, rotor, etc. Drained the gas, put in fresh, and gave it a shot. Nothing much except a lot of cranking. Changed the gas filter, tore down and cleaned the carb. Still nothing. Took the fuel line off and ran a wire back and forth through it a few times. Repeated with gumout. Reassembled everything, hit the starter, and was rewarded with a nice strong roar as the engine found new life. I got a lesson in driving the thing from the future wife, who had spent many hours on it as a kid when it was the main tractor on the family farm.

Father's day was coming and Harold and his wife were coming over. I parked the AC just inside the barn doors, facing out. At dinner, I asked Harold if he would come out to the barn to help me figure out what to do with this thing I had found out there. He was always happy to do that kind of stuff. It was great to watch his face light up when I opened the door and he saw the AC sitting in a new place. He asked if it ran and I told him I wasn't quite sure how to operate it, so he should see for himself. To see that guy's smile when his old workhorse was rumbling beneath him again was just great! We hooked up the bush hog and he mowed about an acre of pasture just for fun. Then he shut it down for a while. My future nephew is into tractors having restored an old Super M and constantly messed with the 8N that had also been Harolds. He decided to see if it would hand start. It took about one crank and it was up and running again. It was just a really neat day! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[VA_Joe]

You did good. That was a very nice gift and one that he will remember.

 

[73jeep]

I don't think you'll find a shorter-lenght tractor that has as much HP as the DX33 or NH TC33. 33 Eng. HP, 28.6 PTO HP, and a 91.3 cu. in. engine with overall lenght of 106"? That's shorter overall than new JD 2320/2520 which is a smaller chassis/class.
Power-wise the JD 3320 is the competition to CaseIH DX33.
As Hobbyfarm listed MF 1533, also checkout MF 1531, as it's about equal in power but on a smaller frame than 1533 (112"L x 53"W x 65"wheelbase x only 80.7" ht over ROPS).

 

[crazylare1]

Hi there, I just ordered a new JD 3320 on Nov. 14th, 2005. Just so that you understand, I about drove myself and everyone I know crazy shopping for a new tractor (3mths). It seems that you can't compare apples to apples when shopping for tractors the way that you can when shopping for quads, power tools, boats, and vehicles. First of all every tractor while seeming to be the same just isn't the same. The manufactures build the tractors in all different hp ratings and then confuse you by putting the hp in slightly smaller or larger chassis than their competitors. This makes comparing the brands somewhat difficult, apples to oranges, to cherries, to blue berries etc. I finally just said to heck with it and went to all of the big names (resale value of the off brands is terrible) tried out all of the tractors that I felt would be the right size and hp for me. I then went to other dealers and drove them again and again until I finally narrowed it down to the two best tractors, best dealers, etc. I then had a Case DX35 (pretty much the same tractor as a New Holland TC35DA) and a JD 3120 (they didn't have a 3320 to demo) brought to my house on the same weekend to compare. Both tractors had the removeable loaders & both were hydrostatic drive. A few of my friends (the one's that I've been driving crazy) came over and we went to work filling in a hole, making a couple of jumps on the moto track, and finish leveling everything we could find. After all of this work using both machines all of the guys and myself found the JD with 29.5 hp w/ehydro out worked, out performed and was easier to use than the DX35 w/35hp. The hydrostatic drive on the JD was quieter and faster than the Case, the loader was way easier to take off. The tractor was run at 1500 rpms v/ the Case at 2500 rpm, and with the loadmatch system on, the JD it never stalled like the Case when filling the bucket and lifting the loader at the same time. We also found that when running the Case we were forced to use low range to work and then shift to high range to travel back and forth because in low range it took forever to go to and from. The JD was run in B range the whole time and believe me the ground speed was exceptional both forward and reverse. The Case is a very good tractor and if the JD dealer wouldn't have brought a tractor down to compare I may have purchased the Case, but truth is if you take the time to work any machine against the Deere you will probably find that it's much more user friendly than even it's greatest competitor the orange one's. The two pedal hydro when going back and forth is in my opinion much easier to use than the truddle valve used on other brands. Finally, everbody thinks that JD is so much more expensive than the rest, well the thing is, after compairing prices on the tractors and finding JD to be more money I still felt that it was worth the extra. Funny though after I added the CX300 loader, a 448 backhoe, and a 6ft frontier box blade, deluxe grill guard, aux. frt and rear light kit w/brush guards, an i Hitch quick hitch, aux. 3rd. scv to the rear, and a power beyond kit to the price of my tractor it came out to a savings of $800 compared to the similarly equiped Case DX35. The smaller 3120 JD would have been about $1400 less than that. I purchased the 3320 because I went with the 448 hoe instead of the 447 and felt that the extra hp would be a good investment. Well I hope that I've been able to help you, and I know that the best info anyone can give you is GET THE DEALER TO LET YOU DEMO THE TRACTORS AT YOUR HOUSE!!! sitting on a tractor and driving one around a parking lot isn't anybetter than buying a new truck doing the same thing. Use the equipment!! then get an out the door price for the whole package!! then look at the dealership and their willingness to let you demo, a good dealer will let you demo their product if you appear to be ready to buy one (not just a tire kicker). thanks for reading this long letter, but after months of shopping i've learned a whole lot about the truth of buying a tractor. Larry

 

[daTeacha]

That's a very impressive recommendation, Larry. I don't know that I'd feel comfortable asking the dealers to bring the machinery to my place, but it's a good thought. Don't they care if you get things dirty or scratches on the bucket and such?

 

[crazylare1]

Welllllll, the thing is, when I finally narrowed it down to the two tractors to demo, I was very serious about making the decision and getting it done. The dealers seem to know how serious you are about purchasing a tractor by the info you tell them when shopping, such as the hp, the type of tires you want, etc. If you've done your homework and appear serious about getting a new tractor they can tell. For example, would you purchase a new pickup truck without test driving one? A new compact 4x4 tractor is close in price to that of a new truck, sooooo... why would you purchase one without using it the way it's meant to be used? Some of the dealers only want you take it out back to their pile of dirt and play. Others only want you to drive it around their lot. I told each of them that I wouldn't make that big of a purchase without using the tractor in the real world (on my property). Since I had finally narrowed down the list of tractors to just the Case and the Deere, both dealers eagerly agreed to a head to head battle between their brands on the same weekend! They dropped off the 3120 JD and a dx35 Case. Both dealers were extremely confident that their tractor would win the shootout! The JD 3120 only has 29.5hp vs. the 35hp of the Case dx35. Several of my friends, as well as my uncle, who incidentally is a die hard Case man and long time farmer, came over and we went to work at a few projects that my present tractor is unable to handle. After the dust cleared, none of us could believe that the JD was the hands down winner in absolutely EVERYTHING we could think of to do to thoroughly test the capabilities of both tractors. The JD converted a lifelong Case man, a friend who has had two Kabotas and swore by them, a landscaper neighbor who had always despised "green", and a friend who......never has had any luck doing anything with any tractor, who now thinks he's great at running the Deere! So, when the salesman from the Case dealer arrived to pick up his tractor, I had to politely tell him that the JD won the shootout and suggested he try out both tractors by filling in a ditch. He hopped off the JD, shook his head and told me exactly what the other guys said after our afternoon comparison of the two machines...I probably shouldn't say this, but get the Deere! I hope that before you purchase a new tractor you insist that the dealers bring a tractor to your place... TRY THEM OUT!! That's really not too much to ask considering the amount that you have to pay for them, and any dealer that wants to make the sale will be MORE than willing to accomodate your request. If the dealer refuses, or is hesitant about bringing one to your place to "test drive", tell them you will simply have to buy one from a dealer who will. After all, that is the reason why they have demo's in the first place. Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. As you can probably tell, I'm very excited about my new tractor, just as much as my new Harley. Just so you know, I've always been a ford tractor lover. Good luck with whichever tractor you decide to purchase... enjoy it and above all be happy! Larry
P.S. If i hadn't chosen the Deere my second choice would have been the Case. I am in NO WAY trying to do the "brand war" thing, or attempting to promote one brand over the others. However, I have done a LOT of research and comparison shopping between all of the brands available and feel that I've made the best choice for ME, not necessarily for anyone else... just myself. Also just thought of another point for you to consider... the JD has a weight adjustable seat that makes the bumps significantly less bothersome. My girlfriend also has several disc herniations in her back and she found the comfort of the seat on the JD to be far better than any of the other ones she tried. The case has a seat that swivels to look back at the 3pt easier, but it also has a fuel tank back there that makes it difficult to see the 3pt. I could go on and on about the differences, but if you check them both out thoroughly, you will find alot of those differences yourself and that is part of the fun of shopping! One last thing, JD compares it's 3320 to the dx33 Case, but that is overkill. The 3120 outworked the dx35 by far, so I'm thinking that you should probably compare a 3129 to the dx33. It's about $2200 cheaper with the same attachments than the dx35 so it should be in the ball park with the dx33. I wouldn't go any smaller than that because the 3120 with the smaller r4 tires makes it very easy to maneuver, compact, and fun to use. By the way...the salesman from the Case dealer is the son of a longtime friend of 46 years and I really wanted to make the purchase from him because of that; however, his honesty and integrity in giving the JD a fair try, then telling me even HE thought I should choose the JD rather than the Case just proved to me all the more that, for me, Deere was the only way to go! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[escaper]

Had to put my two cents in on this one. Glad to see some else other then myself drove a few dealers nuts. A few years ago I under bought for five acres. I had a 430 case which was overkill but I have some steep inclines and needed something sure footed. I let a dealer talk me into a 595x deere ( over size garden tractor) Nice little tractor just not suited for my terrain. It over heated often. Broke spindles,belts and blew tires on a regular basis so at a 160 hrs I decided to get rid of it. This is where instead of letting a dealer talk me into anything I shopped, researched, read hundreds of posts in this forum(awsome place by the way). I was not brand loyal. I looked at kubota(B3030), New holland,Deere,Massy and Case (new holland just red.) I liked all of them. Drove several of them. Up on steep inclines. I needed horsepower for the hills. Well to shorten this it came down to the 3320 and Dx33(or tc33). I really liked the new design of the deere but I also liked the size of the dx33. I ended up buying the dx33 for these reasons. 1. When sitting on both tractors I looked at ease of operation. On the deere you had to reach down low beside your leg to engage 4wd. Unacceptable on my property I felt if my wife was on it and she were to start sliding on the hill I did not want her searching for the lever. On the Case it is right on top of the fender you can even rest your hand on it. 2. The size was just right it weighed 500lbs less then the 3320 and the width of the rear tires was nearly 6 foot and the deere was just a little over five foot. I felt more stable on the hills. (made a new holland dealer nervous when testing his tractor on the hill behind his dealership). The deere was also taller which was also a negative in my book. 3. When comparing the loaders I was really sold on the Case quick detach ( SKID LOADER) also it was rated for more weight and as mentioned in the post it had a twelve inch advantage it is also very easy to take on and off about five minutes once you get the hang of it. 4. I am a service nut and do all of my own work and I really liked the fact that case was a one piece hood and when lifed you could get to everything even with the loader on it. 5. And last reason in driving both tractors the case was more comfortable the steering wheel with tilt and telescopic as an almost infinite seating position. I took my wife to both dealers and let her try them back to back and she picked the case (new holland). The reason I bought the Case over the New holland was simply the Case dealer made me a better deal including the wood chipper. I liked all four dealers I went too. And felt that service would not have been an issue. The deere dealer had taken care of several issues on the 595 so I knew they were good to work with.

I don't think you could go wrong with any tractor they are all good. But I have had lots of comments about how good our lawn has looked lately and wanting to know what I did different. This is one area I did not test the tractors But the case does do a better job then the 595 that we had.