Buying Advice HP, trans and tires!

[jenkinsph]

shysterk,
As I mentioned earlier a tiller will push the tractor forward in use, the tractor transmission isn't under a load really other than holding the tractor back. Pulling a disk is a different matter you can have a pretty good draft load in this case. For smaller properties a hydrostatic is appropriate for most all uses.

 

[Grandad4]

So Grandad4, you think the hydro is fine for some discing and rototilling? Also, you mentioned one being heavier....why is that, and does it matter? I did notice the TC40D being heavier than the TC40, and I assumed that a hydro would weigh less than a manual.

Like you said I'm not farming 200 acres and even if I do, I think the Kobuta will still be a very good trade in! I did love driving that Kubota and I would think enjoying driving your tractor should be kinda important also. I just loved where all the controls were located, it felt very natural and I didnt feel like I was looking and feeling around all over the place for all the different gear levers. Also I've read some threads about NH TC's (might of just been aTC30 problem) almost breaking in half at the clutch housing, and the TC40's having some electrical issues. I know driving a tractor for a couple months would make everything second nature, but I think I would feel like that with the Kubota after only a couple hours. Can't knock NH though, my uncle in TN has a TC65? Anyways, what he does on a yearly basis with it is amazing, especially clearing some ridge paths that seem hard enough just to walk let alone drive and work a tractor!

Jenkinsph, as usual, has it pretty well nailed... tillers are not hard to pull. I've been running a 72" tiller behind my hydro L4610 (about the same tractor platform as an L3830 with a bit more hp), for 8 or 9 years now with no problem. You do want enough tractor so the whole rig doesn't bounce around too much when you try to till the odd football-sized rock, but the hydro actually has an advantage in being able to go slow enough to allow the tiller to pulverize the ground. Many straight drive tractors in this size range don't have a low enough creeper range for a tiller to work like that, but the HST lets you go as slow as needed. As for discing, as long as it's sized right for the tractor, a few hours periodic use isn't going to cause any harm to a hydro. I wouldn't want to take on a 40 acre cornfield, but a few acres here or there are no big deal.

Regarding the comparative weights of the tractors, the L3830 and the TC40 are within a few hundred pounds of each other; not really enough to mean much in their capabilities. By the time you add in a 1,000+ lb loader, 900 lbs of tire ballast and an 800 lb implement on the 3 pt, you're driving around a machine that tips the scales somewhere around 6,000 lbs; if one is 5,800 and the other is 6,200, or vice versa, it really won't make any significant difference in the work you can accomplish.

Here are some guidelines to consider... these are just my thoughts; maybe others will disagree: Most of the work you do with these small tractors is or should be in the 40 to 80 % of capacity range. If you're rarely using more than 40% of a unit's capacity, you could probably get by with a smaller tractor; if you're maxing everything out a lot of the time (pto hp, pulling power, lifting ability, etc.), you're overworking it and should invest in larger equipment. For heavy ag usage, I'd expect running at or near full capacity is more cost effective.

Although my equipment is Kubota, and it has been great, I wouldn't have anything negative to say about New Holland or several other major brands either. Certainly, the NH TN series have been rugged ag utility tractors for many years.

 

[shysterk]

So the Kubota dealer said I could run a 6' rototiller, finish mower and brushcutter, but he didnt mention a disc. Thanks for sharing that you actually do run a disc on your machine with no problems, and thanks for the 40-80% capability recommendation....makes alota sense! Going later to drive a few more tractors and try the 2013 model w/ FEL of the Kubota I really like.

 

[GManBart]

Going later to drive a few more tractors and try the 2013 model w/ FEL of the Kubota I really like.

That'll kill your $13k budget plan!

 

[k0ua]

That'll kill your $13k budget plan!

Yeah but you know how it starts.. you start looking or a "cheap, but good used tractor" Then you are dissatisfied with what you find, and wind up buying a nice new shiny tractor that has what you wanted on it all along..

James K0UA

 

[Don87]

Yeah but you know how it starts.. you start looking or a "cheap, but good used tractor" Then you are dissatisfied with what you find, and wind up buying a nice new shiny tractor that has what you wanted on it all along..

James K0UA

Hey............I resemble those remarks :laughing:

 

[Gary Fowler]

"The other is TC40 623hrs 12x12 left hand reverser with a loader, AG tires and one remote for $13,500 & loadable with rimguard"

This is the one I would go for. The $2K difference is cheap for a loader AND Ag tires vs the absolutely NO traction from Turf tires would turn me off the other tractor. The HST is good for FEL and tight quarter work, but I have done my share of FEL work with gear tractors and have no problem using either. I do like the HST on my back hoe and wouldn't want anything else on it but for FEL either one is acceptable. I have both HST and gear tractors and find that even just roading the tractor, I tend to back off the go pedal and have to remember to keep pressing it. I don't think I would like it for tillage or bushhogging as well as a gear drive. That is a gear drive with shuttle shift F to R. I wouldn't buy a straight gear without having shuttle from F to R.
.

 

[rmorey]

Shysterk, I think you are the only one in this post that doesn't know you have already "bought" your new tractor. LOL

 

[vtsnowedin]

Shysterk, I think you are the only one in this post that doesn't know you have already "bought" your new tractor. LOL

:drink: yup it's just the formalities like signing the papers now. He's hooked like a fish on wire line.

 

[GManBart]

Shysterk, I think you are the only one in this post that doesn't know you have already "bought" your new tractor. LOL

You guys are so mean.....wait, I'm even meaner, I'll add pictures!

$22,250 with bucket, and forks. More power, more lift, etc, less $ :drink:

 

[SPYDERLK]

Hi everyone...fairly new here. Although, I've been reading many discussions recently. Who knew there was so much to consider when buying a tractor? I have an old 9N with around 20hp. I'm looking to get another slightly used but nearly new tractor for around $10,000 plus or minus 3,000. Reliable name brand, with some history and plenty of replacement parts is very important. Would love a FEL but I am also willing to wait a yr to add one on. I wanna move dirt around, dig post holes, move hay, snow removal, brush cut, plant trees, plant various veggies on 3-5 acres and eventually I'd like to dig out a dairy(root cellar) and expand my pond from 1/4acre to 3/4acre (although I think I'll just have someone else do that with a big loader backhoe).

So, like I said, I'm fairly new to all this. I'm on 11 acres in S.E. MI, got some bees, goats n chickens, a dozen fruit trees and a gooey clay garden. Now I've planted 7 trees already and its been half heavy clay and half sandy loam. I also have neighbors who grow corn, orchards and whatever else. I'm currently considering a TN55 with 8x8trans, and a TC40D with hydro trans. I was told by a co-worker "get a TC30-HST w/FEL, 4x4 with R4 tires loaded with beet juice". All sounds good, but I do intend on discing and rototilling, or general ground work, I guess.

So considering all this, and hoping there may be someone out there with similiar conditions, let me first ask, what kind of tires should I go with? I may cut some grass with tractor too and dont want deep ruts in the grass. I did see some R-1 wide tires, any comments on these?

I'm also thinking I should go a little higher than 30 or 35hp....maybe 40-60hp? Is 4x4 necessary (gotta admit though...I want it!)

And lastly, is hydro trans really gonna get all this done? I am also not completely confident I am user friendly with a manual transmission and while I never had to replace a clutch in a car or my 9N, I've also never had either for very long.

Thanks in advance for any input, opinions, or other!

No way "used ... , nearly new" Name brand 4wdloader ready 40+ HP for $13 - K. Love to find that myself. ... Better to stretch a bit above to get the whole package at once. Itll save money in the long run and only cost ~ $2K now.
larry

 

[shysterk]

Well thank you all for your input, advice and smart a** comments!