B7800 vs. NH TC30?

[Anonymous Poster]

Hello to all. I am totally new to this wonderful site. Started "lurking" yesterday after being referred from another site that I was getting info on.

Here's my situation: 19 acres (16 rented out for farming). The other 3 acres I have 2 horses on with 54 x 30 barn, good sized vegetable garden, and probably 1/2 acre of lawn (with about 12 trees to get around /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif). I am wanting a tiller for the garden, RFM for the smaller pastures we have at the moment (not sure about the lawn at this point), and a loader. My wife already said to forget the turf tires and go with R4!

Started out looking at BX2200 because of the rave reviews. Then jumped from sub-compact to compact (B7500) for the extra ground clearance, and greater possibilities of 3 pt hitch. Today I find myself going up again to the B7800 for the increase to 30 HP. And yes it is my WIFE pushing for this saying, "we're not going to spend this much $$ and have something that won't be able to do what we will need in the future".

My dilemma . . . Kubota B7800 or NH TC30? From my pricing in the Grand Rapids, MI area, both are near in range. Anything I should be aware of? Am leaning toward Kubota since my dealer is a mile away. I am not for bells and frills on this type of thing. Who holds their value better? I am close to that age where the comfy things might mean more - according to what I am reading at this site /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif! (Grew up on a farm and am more familiar with larger tractors and equipment. Those manufactures are OOB now!)

Thanks for any input!

 

[Casimir]

Brooster:

Well, at least you are comparing apples to apples /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. The B7800 and TC30 are very comparable. The B7800 may have a slight advantage in FEL (Front End Loader) lift capacity, but I am not sure you would notice the difference in the real world of daily work.

It probably boils down to which machine fits you best ("feels the best to you") and which dealer you are most comfortable with. Service after the initial purchase is important, even though they are both excellent machines and should need little more than routine service for many years -- but warranty issues do arise on occasion - which dealer do you think will be most helpful in those cases?

Since you mentioned that comfort issues are becoming more important, you might expand your consideration to the B2910 and TC33D. Both have more of the creature comfort and convenience features, for a little more money.

Whatever you do, get the FEL -- with horses, you will find a thousand and one uses for it. Also, a rotary brush cutter would be best for your pasture, rather than a RFM -- also about half the price. The RFM would work for your lawn, provided you can get around the lawn area with the tractor. Some of us have opted for a dedicated lawn mower, rather than trying to use the big tractor on a relatively small lawn with a lot of obstructions to mow around.

Good luck with your choice. You are looking at excellent machines that shoud give many years of satisfactory service /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.