Initial Impressions of KB2910, NHTC29D, JD4200

Hook · Aug 15, 2001

As I reported in other postings, I have narrowed my choice of tractors down to
- Kubota B2910
- New Holland TC29D
- JD 4200

In the last 2 days I had the chance to get quotes & take test rides on all 3. Here are my first impressions & current thinking ...

Ergonomics:

Regarding the seating & control position, the Kubota wins hands down in my book. Now, mind you, my tractor driving time is now up to 30 minutes (10 minutes on each tractor), so take this with a big grain of salt.

I found the deck on the NH to be a major pain. It is not flat, but has a hump (like the rear-wheel drive, some of us old farts remember

. I thought this wouldn't matter, but it made it very difficult to get in & out of the seat & I felt simply cramped, as my feet kept hitting the hump. I also found the seat to be less comfortable than the others.

The JD seating position was great, but it seemed to me that the controls were in less obvious/useful positions. Since I have effectively no tractor time, this might turn out to be a non-issue. But first impressions count, so ...

Price:

Here are the prices I was quoted (tractor + FEL):

Kubota B2910: $17,900
NH TC25D: $17,700
JD 4200: 18,500

Notice that the price was for a TC25D, NOT a TC29D. I was originally considering the 29D, but deciced to drive & price the 25D. I'm not sure what made me do this, but after seeing the price, I'm glad I did.

Now these are prices without any bargaining or shopping on my part. So I assume I could reduce the prices some. But then all of these prices would go down.

Based on this, I'm about to nuke HN from my list & focus on the JD & Kubota. To my mind, they're just about equal at this point (Kubota better on some points, JD better on others). I think I'm gonna make a chart comparing the 2 (including my impression of the dealers I met) & see if that helps me differentiate between them.

Thoughts?

Hook

barnmedic · Aug 30, 2001

hey hook, I am no tractor expert but have gotten bit by the bug and hope to decide soon which tractor i need(want). i am looking in the power/size range you are and have been researching the same tractors you have with the inclusion of some of the smaller ones of each brand. i have spent considerable time riding around dealerships of the big three and recommend you spend some "quality" time in the seat with the motor running and the wheels turning. go thru the operations you think you will do when you own it. for instance, stop it and put it in park and get on and off it and run it with the implements you will use .
i just finally got my local jd dealer to put a 5' mower on the back of a 4200 with a front loader attached and let me mow with it . i was surprized at how much the engine slowed (even at full throttle) when making modest turns and going up mild hills. anyway, i just wanted to encourage you to experience the real differences for yourself.
i have gotten serious pricing on the three tractors you mentioned at my local dealers here in indiana and would be happy to share them with you. they seem to represent 18-22% off list prices. tractor only: b2910 $13,400, jd4200 $13850 (w/ r4's , mid pto, dscv, ) tc25d $12750 all are hydros with r4's. my problem is i like aspects of all three brands and can't even decide how large a tractor to get. i think the b7500 would do everything i need most of the time, and then i could just rent bigger if i have bigger projects occaisionally.
oops, almost forgot to recommend renting a compact tractor for a day if you are able to - i rented a kubota b1700 (like a b2410 only with the power of a b7500). i was amazed at what it would do and transformed my property (20 acres) in just 10 short hours . it was great! good luck. rob

cleev · Sep 3, 2001

I did the same shopping you did and in the end bought a NH TC 35. It is great there is no hump in the platform, pleanty of room and power. I paid $13,600 for my tractor.

Cleev

Bayrat · Dec 29, 2001

How about this Hook, I have owned all three. Nothing wrong with the 4200 except it was underpowered for my needs. Also the loader requires rear ballast for even the lightest use. The N/H is ergonomically the best in my opinion. It is heavier and more "tractor like" if there is such a thing. The t/c's belly deck is a pain to install on a regular basis, the loader is great. They have some QC problems and mine was in for repair regularly. Swapped it for a Kubota 2910, a lighter and differently constructed machine. I experienced one problem since purchase, a mis-aligned part on the loader that the factory is replacing. I believe it moved in the jig before welding, no big deal. All I can say is look closely at your needs. The 21hp 4200 may appear nearly the same in size as the 2910, but that 9hp difference and added length is meaningful. I do like the 4cyl engine in the Kubota, I mow well under WOT and it never loses rpm. I noticed the Kubota seems to run cleaner too, not quite the fumes as the others, in my opinion. Feel free to contact me.

ps. forgive the signature, still working on it!

TresCrows · Dec 29, 2001

Bayrat, I think you meant 4100 and not 4200. The 4200 more nearly compares to the Kubota L3010/3410. The 4200 weighs 2,675 lbs and has a 3 cylinder 26 horse engine. It is the 4100 that has a 20 horse engine and weighs about 1500 lbs plus or minus a few, JD likes to compare it to the--I am not saying--but it would more favorably compared to the Kubota B7500 in terms of power and the 2410 in terms of size and weight and features. The 2910, to me, does not have an equivilent in the JD lineup. If I am incorrect please set me right. Yes, I suspect you are exactly correct about the 4100 needing balllast since it does have a stout little FEL for that size machine ballast would be needed to take full advantage, just like with the 2410 and BX and other small tractors with useful loaders.
J

Anonymous Poster · Dec 29, 2001

<font color=blue>...JD likes to compare it to the--I am not saying--...</font color=blue>

Ummmmmm.... let me guess now.....??? /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Bayrat · Dec 29, 2001

Yes you are correct. I realized my mistake but was on the way out the door. By the time I was able to get back here someone had caught the mistake..nice job. I did have the 4100 model. I looked at the 4200 when I wanted to trade but the JD dealer wouldn't talk.