I've been shopping for 30 hp tractors. Deere 790, NH TC-30, Kubota L-2800, Kioti CK-30, Mahindra 2810. All are $16,000 with same makes loader, within $300 dollars across 10 dealers. I really thought that Kioti or Mahindra would be cheaper(in price), maybe JD more expensive.. Is this just an upstate NY thing or is it prevalent across the country?
all brands, $16,000?????????
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npaden
Platinum Member
From my personal shopping experience it seems that you are right. The difference is bells and whistles. On the Deere, New Holland & Kubota you are looking at their basic models. If you step up to their deluxe models you will see a price difference.
On the Kioti and Mahindra they really don't have the basic models and the models you listed have some extra features. At least that's the way it is in the 45hp size range. The Kioti's, Montana's, etc. have draft control, remote hydraulics and things like that.
It might not be the same on the 30hp ones though.
FWIW, Nathan
On the Kioti and Mahindra they really don't have the basic models and the models you listed have some extra features. At least that's the way it is in the 45hp size range. The Kioti's, Montana's, etc. have draft control, remote hydraulics and things like that.
It might not be the same on the 30hp ones though.
FWIW, Nathan
KentT
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Well, if you're looking for something totally different at $16,000 here's one idea that might be worth a look...
Power Trac 1430, 30hp Diesel
Power Trac 1430, 30hp Diesel
Right, you are comparing "base tractors" from NH, Kubota, and JD to "high feature" tractors from Mahindra and Kioti...so in reallity you are getting more for your $$ with the Mahindra and Kioti, as far as features go anyway.
canoetrpr
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My view is the same as Nathan's. I ended up with a Kubota L3400.
The 790 was out for me because of the lack of hydro - otherwise it would be in the running.
The CK30 was very close in price to the L3400 with a few extras that I didn't really need - like mid pto, telescopic lower links etc.
Might have made a difference if the dealer network for Kioti around here was stronger. But price certainly did not make a difference.
The CK30 seems to be quite a nice machine though.
Mahindra and Branson were close to non existant around here wrt. dealer network so they weren't in the running.
The 790 was out for me because of the lack of hydro - otherwise it would be in the running.
The CK30 was very close in price to the L3400 with a few extras that I didn't really need - like mid pto, telescopic lower links etc.
Might have made a difference if the dealer network for Kioti around here was stronger. But price certainly did not make a difference.
The CK30 seems to be quite a nice machine though.
Mahindra and Branson were close to non existant around here wrt. dealer network so they weren't in the running.
daTeacha
Veteran Member
There is just a whole lot of stuff out there in the 25 - 35 hp range. I spent a lot of time narrowing it down. It sounds like you need to check out what the dealer parts/service guys are like, sit on and drive most everything you're looking at, compare weights, lifting abilities, maintainence needs and costs, ease of doing things like checking/changing the oil and filters, just everything you can think of. Pay special attention to how it fits your body shape -- is there room for your feet and legs to move the controls easily? Can you reach everything without getting into an uncomfortable twist, stretch, etc. It's going to be a matter of which tractor has the best combination of things most important to you. The way the rear stabilizers work is important to some folks, the way you adjust the level on the 3 point is different from one machine to another, whether it includes the drawbar and toplink, is there a little clip to hold the top link out of the way, are the lower link ends telescoping, is the seat well sprung, where are the lights located -- will you likely knock one off doing some particular job? -- how do the headlights work if you ever plan to use it at night, etc. etc. etc.
Look carefully at the loader and bucket construction if you plan to use it a lot. That, the seat, and the lower link features finally made up my mind between two red brands. Some buckets are light duty, some are medium, others are heavy. What do you need?
As has been said you have a couple of basic no-nonsense traditional type machines in your list along with a couple of more feature laden new ones. You and only you will have to decide what you want and/or need. Those are all very good machines and any one of them will serve you well for a long time. You just have to figure out which one you like best and then don't look back.
You have the easy part completed -- finding out what's out there in your price range. Now the fun starts. After you narrow it down to one tractor or dealer, you get to think about tires -- R4, R1, or turfs, loader options, QA or not for the bucket, and so on. It took me about a year to finally decide and I'm hoping the one I got (Case DX-29, QA loader bucket, Ag tires, rear hydraulic valves, HST) won't be too big for one particular use I have for it. Enjoy the shopping!
Look carefully at the loader and bucket construction if you plan to use it a lot. That, the seat, and the lower link features finally made up my mind between two red brands. Some buckets are light duty, some are medium, others are heavy. What do you need?
As has been said you have a couple of basic no-nonsense traditional type machines in your list along with a couple of more feature laden new ones. You and only you will have to decide what you want and/or need. Those are all very good machines and any one of them will serve you well for a long time. You just have to figure out which one you like best and then don't look back.
You have the easy part completed -- finding out what's out there in your price range. Now the fun starts. After you narrow it down to one tractor or dealer, you get to think about tires -- R4, R1, or turfs, loader options, QA or not for the bucket, and so on. It took me about a year to finally decide and I'm hoping the one I got (Case DX-29, QA loader bucket, Ag tires, rear hydraulic valves, HST) won't be too big for one particular use I have for it. Enjoy the shopping!
btownacres
Bronze Member
Same story out here in Mass. The only larger difference I found in price was with JD and NH. I ended up with my choice for only about a grand or so more than the newer players you mention, but also managed to get a few more horses under the hood. Adding some of the extras is where you will see some more dollars start to add up, then of course there is the sales tax. But do pay attention to capacities, both lifting and hydraulic pump output. Then there are the little things like detachable buckets, mid PTO's, etc. Just try to imagine all of your needs and maybe a few others and you should make the right choice.
Pricing a tractor, and making the final deal are quite often two very different things. As has been said, the Kioties and Mahindras are offering a lot more bells and whistles, and in some cases, a lot more weight if you need that.
They're all good machines, but what do you want? I can tell you that the extras on the Kioti are things I can go for, but not everyone needs them. I like their construction and layouts, but they may not fit YOU.
Trying to compare tractors on an "even" keel is not always easy for the novice tractor buyer. There are so many things to consider that similar pricing can be very deceptive.
Over the last couple of years, Kioti and Mahindra prices have come up a little, and some of the other well-known brands have put out more economy models to try to compete.
One can often find that the differences begin to disappear when it's found out that many things, like the loader valve and joysticks may cost extra on some other brands, while Kioti, and I think Mahindra both include them. There are other examples that will bring the true pricing in to focus.
Good luck in your search and remember that your comfort and the ease of use of your tractor are the most important things you will have to live with.
John
They're all good machines, but what do you want? I can tell you that the extras on the Kioti are things I can go for, but not everyone needs them. I like their construction and layouts, but they may not fit YOU.
Trying to compare tractors on an "even" keel is not always easy for the novice tractor buyer. There are so many things to consider that similar pricing can be very deceptive.
Over the last couple of years, Kioti and Mahindra prices have come up a little, and some of the other well-known brands have put out more economy models to try to compete.
One can often find that the differences begin to disappear when it's found out that many things, like the loader valve and joysticks may cost extra on some other brands, while Kioti, and I think Mahindra both include them. There are other examples that will bring the true pricing in to focus.
Good luck in your search and remember that your comfort and the ease of use of your tractor are the most important things you will have to live with.
John
MessickFarmEqu
Super Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As has been said, the Kioties and Mahindras are offering a lot more bells and whistles, )</font>
I'm not so sure this is the case. What "Bells and Whistles" are on a CK30 thats not on the L2800? That statement seems to be repeated over and over without anyone looking into the actual details.
I'm not so sure this is the case. What "Bells and Whistles" are on a CK30 thats not on the L2800? That statement seems to be repeated over and over without anyone looking into the actual details.
Fender mounted FEL joy-stick, telescopic sway & lift arms, slopped hood and FEL, tilt steering...just to name a few. Now I could be wronger here but I think none of those things are standard on an 2800, and some are not even offered. Of course the whole slopped hood and boom thing could be argued until the sun goes down, but I am just throwing some things out there. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Fender mounted FEL joy-stick, telescopic sway & lift arms, slopped hood and FEL, tilt steering...just to name a few. )</font>
Please don't take this as argueing, but I am curious.
1 - Why is a "fender mounted FEL joy-stick" an advantage? Some prefer it, and some prefer the loader mount, is this not just a matter of personal preference? On small tractors I think fender mount joysticks get in the way, and there are members here on TBN who have broken their CK loader levers (I think while dismounting their machines). On larger tractors I do think the fender mount is better, but only because larger tractors offer more room.
2 - I have been a big fan of the sloped hood/curved loader arm combo for years, but I've also take a large amount of crap from people on this forum for saying it is better. I agree with you that it is better, but many would also suggest that it is just a matter of personal preference.
FWIW, I would likely choose the CK over the other machines, but only if the local dealership were a high quality dealer. I value the quality of the dealership over the tractor brand because any of these tractors will do the job. However, of the tractor choices, an L2800 "gear" model would be my absolute last choice. The L2800 "HST" offers some major advantages over the "gear" version. I have a lot of mixed feelings about the Mahindra units, reliability seems to be a big issue on their forums; that issue plagues Kioti, but to a lesser extent. The JD790 is cramped and both the 790 and the TC30 are a bit too old school in this modern day. JMO
Please don't take this as argueing, but I am curious.
1 - Why is a "fender mounted FEL joy-stick" an advantage? Some prefer it, and some prefer the loader mount, is this not just a matter of personal preference? On small tractors I think fender mount joysticks get in the way, and there are members here on TBN who have broken their CK loader levers (I think while dismounting their machines). On larger tractors I do think the fender mount is better, but only because larger tractors offer more room.
2 - I have been a big fan of the sloped hood/curved loader arm combo for years, but I've also take a large amount of crap from people on this forum for saying it is better. I agree with you that it is better, but many would also suggest that it is just a matter of personal preference.
FWIW, I would likely choose the CK over the other machines, but only if the local dealership were a high quality dealer. I value the quality of the dealership over the tractor brand because any of these tractors will do the job. However, of the tractor choices, an L2800 "gear" model would be my absolute last choice. The L2800 "HST" offers some major advantages over the "gear" version. I have a lot of mixed feelings about the Mahindra units, reliability seems to be a big issue on their forums; that issue plagues Kioti, but to a lesser extent. The JD790 is cramped and both the 790 and the TC30 are a bit too old school in this modern day. JMO
randy_berger
New member
I've just bought a brand new 790 from a dealer in jeffersonville, new york (catskills) and like it a lot. its a simplified machine of course but that's what i like the most (i also have a harley; same aesthetic). although not so important to most, i like the straight hood a lot more than the new curvy style. manual transmission means no power drained away from pto. negatives: relatively less hydraulic power to both loader and 3-pt (per specs; i've had no problems lifting yet, mostly firewood). i think the 3-pt was 900 lbs and the loader around 1200. also, you need a "power beyond" kit to run hydro implements from the back (i.e., log splitter or backhoe). so i'm planning to buy a pto splitter and chipper as soon as i find a local source. i would agree the shifter gets in the way on and off the machine so you've got to extricate yourself a bit. but the joystick isn't any problem there. the machine feels a lot better built than the kubota that compares price-wise. the kubota had more plastic on it and felt/looked flimsy compared to the jd. that did it for me.
daTeacha
Veteran Member
I agree with you about the loader controls, Bob. Sit on a loader equipped DX26. The controls are on the loader and fall readily to hand, as the sports car set says. On the DX29, there is more space in the platform and the controls are on the fender, again falling readily to hand. It depends on the tractor, where you put the seat, how long your reach is, and a bunch of other stuff.
That's why the common thread in almost every discussion here about what to get ends up saying "keep looking until you find what works for YOU". A long legged type is not going to be as comfortable on some units as a shorter legged guy and vice versa. Same with weight -- a skinny guy will sit different than a heavy guy, regardless of the springs under the seat. If you're heavier, your backbone is farther from the seatback, your rear end is thicker, and so on. That impacts where your hand and arms land. It all adds up to sitting on lots of tractors until you find the one you're most comfortable on.
On the sloped hood thing, I agree that it looks different. My wife went to see the DX series and said they didn't look like tractors to her. She grew up driving a WD-45 and some of the bigger Fords. But when she drove it, she liked the visibility much better.
I'd like to see the loaders on those units fit closer to the tractor, but when I asked the dealer about why the one on the DX29 was so far in front of the wheels he said it was to give more reach when loading a truck or whatever. That makes sense. After loading a pickup with my B7100 and being able to dump only on the near side of the bed while having the nose of the tractor pressed against a plywood shield on the truck fender, I can appreciate a little more reach with the bucket.
What would be ideal is an old style dogleg loader with the bucket close to the tractor but able to somehow telescope out like some backhoes do when extra reach is needed. Of course someone would overload the bucket, lift it, reach it, and stand the whole rig on it's nose. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Then they'd sue me for thinking of it. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
That's why the common thread in almost every discussion here about what to get ends up saying "keep looking until you find what works for YOU". A long legged type is not going to be as comfortable on some units as a shorter legged guy and vice versa. Same with weight -- a skinny guy will sit different than a heavy guy, regardless of the springs under the seat. If you're heavier, your backbone is farther from the seatback, your rear end is thicker, and so on. That impacts where your hand and arms land. It all adds up to sitting on lots of tractors until you find the one you're most comfortable on.
On the sloped hood thing, I agree that it looks different. My wife went to see the DX series and said they didn't look like tractors to her. She grew up driving a WD-45 and some of the bigger Fords. But when she drove it, she liked the visibility much better.
I'd like to see the loaders on those units fit closer to the tractor, but when I asked the dealer about why the one on the DX29 was so far in front of the wheels he said it was to give more reach when loading a truck or whatever. That makes sense. After loading a pickup with my B7100 and being able to dump only on the near side of the bed while having the nose of the tractor pressed against a plywood shield on the truck fender, I can appreciate a little more reach with the bucket.
What would be ideal is an old style dogleg loader with the bucket close to the tractor but able to somehow telescope out like some backhoes do when extra reach is needed. Of course someone would overload the bucket, lift it, reach it, and stand the whole rig on it's nose. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Then they'd sue me for thinking of it. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
