Decision Time

paccorti · Jul 10, 2000

Well I think that I am finally ready. Just closed on my 10 acres in Northern VA today. When I first discussed this land purchase with a friend his first comment was, "Nothing in Home Depot will mow this for you." He's right and now I find myself ready to buy a major tractor.

It started so humbly. Went to the John Deere dealership and looked at lawn and garden tractors (the 445 and 455 machines). Those things cost 10k! Well if I'm going to spend that much... Test drove a JD 790 ( a gear model). Liked it a lot, kinda cramped through (I'm 6' 2"). Plus the gear might get old. Then drove a L3010 HST. Real nice, very smooth. Local Kubota dealer totally uninterested in dealing (wanted $21K before taxes with R4 and Loader). Talked to some other Kubota dealers too. Best price for L3010 HST with Loader and R4 was $18,300. Same dealer had a NH TC35D (HST, R4, Loader, no super steer) for $19,000. Drove the TC. Very nice, I like the dual power shifter. Very roomy, great seat. I'm heavily leaning toward the TC35D.

As I see it here are the advantages of the TC 35D over the L3010 (remember this costs me just $700 more)
1. 2.9 More gross engine horespower (claimed net PTO hsp is much different 29.1 vs. 24)
2. Much better ergo's (seat cushion and swivel, control placement)
3. More powerful loader (plus it has 4 link bucket, much better implement hydro pumping 9.8 gpm vs. 7.0 gpm)
4. Adjustable 3pt links (easier to attach implements)
5. Bigger gas tank 13.2 gal vs 9.2 gal

I've read many posts that the Kubota engines and HST are excellent. I have no doubt that this is true. On ths other hand I've also read many good things about NH too. I've read every article on this board and others about the tractors in question. I'll expect to landscape my land (bush hog maybe till too) put in a fence, lots of mowing eventually maybe even dig out my pond. Admittedly the tractors I'm looking at are a bit large for 10 acres. But if I was to sum up the advice on this board it would be, "Buy big! (thanks Gordon, MChalkey, etc.)

So now onto the real questions! Initially I want a post hole digger (for the fence) and a bush hog. I figure a 6' bush hog should work fine (I have mostly tall grass with some bushes). The TC 35 dealer carries the Woods brand. Should I go for NH implements over Woods? Also I'm thinking teeth on the loader bucket might be useful (maybe I'll dig my driveway). Any thoughs here? Can the teeth ever be directly mounted to the bucket or do you always need a toothbar. Are all teeth removeable?

This is going to be so much fun...

Peter

Bird · Jul 11, 2000

paccorti, sounds like you've about got it all worked out./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I've never used either Woods or NH brush hogs, but I agree with the 6' size and know Woods has a good reputation. As for post hole diggers, I believe Danuser is one of, if not the, best. However, for many of us, at least those with no rocks, some of the cheaper ones work just as well. I know I like my cousin's Bush Hog brand. I don't know whether anyone mounts teeth directly and permanently to the bucket, but I'd sure recommend the removeable tooth bar because I think you'll find many times you want that smooth edge on the bucket for a lot of jobs.

Bird

JimBinMI · Jul 11, 2000

paccorti,

Just for fun, have you read the discussions on hp/acre?
I'm one of the guys who has always said why do you need so much hp? Remember, I have 8 acres and a TC18, 18.5 hp Boomer. Well, I've practically given up on telling people that there is such a thing as enough hp! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I have done everything that I want to at this time with my TC18. I replaced an Allis Chalmers 16 hp gas garden tractor that had a 48" mowing deck and a 47" dozer/snow blade. It is unbelieveable to me, the amount of additional ability that the TC has over the Allis! The main use for my TC18 is mowing and snow removal.

I did not get power steering and that's the only thing that I would have done differently. I don't have a loader and don't plan to. I mentioned to my salesman last week that I now wished that I would have waited for one with power steering, then asked if there would be a kit to add it, he didn't know of any kit. He said just use it a few years, then we'll trade you up! My main use is mowing and if I traded up, I'd probably go to at least the TC25D for the swivel seat and I consider that to be a very heavy lawn mower at 2,500 lbs. I've been able to move around 180 tons of fill sand that was delivered to me in 12 loads for the base of my pole barn with a rake and back blade and had no problems with the size of my tractor. I mow about 2 1/2 acres of lawn with a Woods RD6000 rear discharge 3 pt. finish mower and plan to buy a Woods 4' rotary cutter this summer. If my TC18 will handle a 4' rotary, I would think that a TC35 would handle a 7' if you wanted one that big. I've seen a TC35D up close and personal and they are mighty looking machines! Very beefy!

My Woods finish mower has performed great and cuts my lawn as good or better than my old Allis that was made by Simplicity and had their deep high lift deck on it. I don't think you could go wrong with a Woods rotary.

It sounds like you have some big jobs that the bigger tractor would be of better use for. Good Luck!

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

W5FL · Jul 11, 2000

I also have 10 acres. The HP is a little marginal for a 6 ft rotary mower. A 6 ft finish mower would work, but they are not able to do what a Bush Hog will do. You probably cannot lift a Medium Duty rotary mower (about 990#) without weights on the front or a loader mounted. A five foot rotary mower would be a good compromise, but it takes considerably longer to mow.

Teeth on a bucket is the wrong way to spend money for digging. Get a good heavy boxblade with 8 or so scarfiers and that WILL dig without damaging your loader cylinders or attachment points.

Be wary of post hole diggers if you have ANY rock. Just the auger will run over $300 for a heavy duty auger in addition to the power head. Bush Hog makes a good light and medium duty mower and post hole digger.

I would buy the NH loader, and then the best manufacturer for each of the 3 point attachments. Much has been written about each of them on this board and in the archives.

JimBinMI · Jul 11, 2000

Wen,

You said "The HP is a little marginal for a 6 ft rotary mower." Did you know that New Holland rates their tractors to do more work than Kubota? The TC25-33 are rated for up to a 6' rotary! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif The 3 pt. lift at 24" aft the hitch is 1635 lbs. on the TC25-33 this beats similar sized Kubotas. The TC35 is rated at 2,025 lbs. at 24" aft the hitch, I'm sure it could handle the 6' rotary with ease. New Holland tractors are just plain built stronger, no jest! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Remember, you're the guy that equated my TC18 to your M6800! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

W5FL · Jul 11, 2000

I guess that is your nicest way of saying that Kubota rates their equipment conservatively!

It is kinda important to keep the front end of the tractor on the ground when you have the mower raised and driving over normal terrain, especially going up hill.

Unfortunately the cg of a 6 ft mower is not 2 ft behind the 3 point like a box blade is.

1000# mower is pretty heavy and sticks out a long way in the back. I am sure if NH rates them for a 6 ft rotary mower they have tested them with one. You have to lift it, turn it, and stop it. The problem comes with the tremendous inertia of the big blades and how they tractor clutch on the pto deals with it (or doesn't deal with it). The power goes up with the square of the blade diameter taking 50% more HP for 6 ft vs 5 ft independent of whose tractor you are using. Bush Hog skirts the HP issue by not recommending one, but Rhino lists a preferred range. 40 HP is normally recommended for 6 ft equipment.

I thought we talked about using your tractor for rear ballast, but decided it wasn't heavy enough. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird · Jul 11, 2000

JimBinMI, you have to remember that those "ratings" are the manufacturer's ratings, and they're only good as a general guideline. What matters is what they'll actually do, and whether the horsepower is marginal for a particular sized mower depends on what you're mowing.

My 5' rotary cutter has never bogged the engine at all on my B2710 when I was using it. In fact, I've frequently thought that I should have gotten a 6' mower. However, last Saturday, my brother borrowed it and said he had to go awfully slow to keep from bogging the motor down. But I know what he was mowing, and I don't often have occasion to mow thick stuff taller than the hood on the tractor like he was doing.

And when my cousin's dealer (salesman) delivered his TC29 and 5' Bush Hog, he bogged the motor down bad while he was demonstrating it, but once again he was mowing trees that I'd have used a chainsaw on.

So, read and use the manufacturer's ratings, of course, but don't get too carried away with them.

Bird

JimBinMI · Jul 11, 2000

Wen,

You're probably right, 1438 lbs. is probably not enough rear ballast for that monster of a tractor you have! Besides, you don't want all of the other Kubotas getting jealous that you have a pretty color on your tractor! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

MChalkley · Jul 12, 2000

It would probably be about right for mine, JimBinMI, since it's 600 lbs less than my backhoe, but stopping constantly to pick up the pieces that keep falling off of it would sure be a drag. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Mark

JimBinMI · Jul 12, 2000

MarkC,

You've certainly got the experience to pick up the pieces owning that Kubota...but what's a few more orange pieces to pick up! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif You know, with the rough and tough <font color=blue>BLUE</font color=blue> on the back it's sure to have more Orange falling off! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!