Kubota B7800 vs NH TC 30

[Traumabill]

I'm Looking to purchase a CUT with the most bang for the buck. Locally I have access to the big three. With my research I've narrowed it down to the above two. I'm on six acres, with 2 acres of wild grass, needs to be landscaped, with 3 acres that would need to be cleared. Priorites to be loader work, with brush mower, rake, and finish mower being the implements needed right away. A backhoe would be a long term acquistion. Not sure which would be better for my situation. HST is a must on either machine. Not sure on prices for the TC30...I have a working price of around 16k for the b7800 w/FEL. Implements will be a wash....

has anybody already gone through this comparison? Which would give me the best loader?

Thanks for any and all help,

Bill

 

[aloha]

Welcome to TBN.

I cannot speak of the NH, as dealer issues made my decision for Kubota an easy one. The B7800 would be excellent for your purposes and offers great value.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( A backhoe would be a long term acquistion. )</font>

While the backhoe may not be my most used implement, it is unquestionably my favorite. The Woods 7500 with subframe mount and using tractor hydraulics (rather than a PTO pump) goes on or off my B7800 in under 5 minutes.

You did not mention a box scraper among "the implements needed right away." Give it some thought. You will also find here a lot of people who would tell you that a toothbar for the FEL is their best low-priced implement, but you may find your dealer is clueless when it comes to toothbars.

 

[LapinFarmer]

I also narrowed my choice down to the Kubota B7800, NH TC30, TC29DA or TC33DA and the JD 4210. I chose the B7800 which arrived two weeks ago and so far I'm very happy. I'm also very happy with the dealer - they had to bring some missing bits out to me and did so the next day - so be sure you like the dealer too. They even Armorall'ed the tires!

All of the above models are good tractors, and pretty much everyone on the net seems to like whatever model they own. A local friend with an old Ford commented that everyone they know who has a Kubota is happy. If I had not chosen the B7800, the TC30 or maybe the TC29DA would have been my second choice.

Being of small stature I found the Kubota cockpit to be the best fit for me of all the models I tested, and that was an important determining factor. I tested all the models above at least once.

I wanted hydro and a loader so the B7800 and TC30 prices were very similar, but the Kubota will probably be a few pennies less expensive than the others, and in my case the dealer was very eager to deal. So factor in a good dealer with a sharp pencil and a tractor I liked and the decision was made. About $16k with hydro and FEL for either B7800 or TC30 is the right ballpark.

I've used the B7800 to mow one pasture of about 2 hilly acres and dig a small hole so far, and I'm very happy with it. Note that I've got some very steep sections in that pasture and the B7800 handled just great, although I've got to get used to the clearances of the rear brush mower. I have filled tires (with tubes) and was steady on the hills.

My dealer sells his B78's with the larger 60 inch materials bucket on the front loader. For a small horse property like ours that is more useful than a smaller, heavier digging bucket. The NH models have a higher reach with their bucket - about a foot. So a TC30 can actually load a dump truck, while the B7800 can load a pickup. For me that was not an issue.

Last weekend I used my FEL to gouge out a small trench in my gravel driveway with 4-6 inch quary run underneath. The quary run was packed pretty tightly, but with some patience I was able to dig through even that, using the lighter material bucket no less.

And about tires. Get the industrial R4s. Unless you are plowing loose soil or mud you don't need ag's. I've used both and the R4s are fine for mowing, even on steep slopes, and they work better on gravel.

Good luck!
- Neal

 

[snmhanson]

I can vouch for the B7800 as well. I've had mine for a few months now and just turned 100 hours. We have five acres on which one we did some pretty major landscaping and finally hydroseeded the other day. The B7800 (with box blade and rake) was the perfect tractor for that work. It has also been invaluable to have for so many other jobs that have come up that I didn't even think of when I bought it. My only reservation is about how well it is going to finish mow. I've got a 60"mmm with turfs so we'll have to see in a few weeks. If mowing is a priority I don't think it would be a bad idea to look at the 7510 or 7610 or skip the finish mower and get a nice rider instead (probably for less $). I would have done that but having one tractor that can "do it all" was a major selling point to my wife.

I would agree with aloha about the box scraper. If you are going to be any significant amount of leveling or distributing of material a box scraper is practically a required implement IMO. I have used my box scraper more than anything else on the tractor including the FEL.

And I'd agree with Neal about the tires. I had R4s on mine at first while my turfs were on order. I notice very little difference in the footprint of the tractor between the two and as the ground gets wet the turfs quickly lose traction and dig ruts where the R4s can keep going until the ground gets very soggy.

I don't know what else to say really. I'm sure you would be happy with either of the tractors you are looking at. Go with whatever dealer you feel most comfortable with. All things being equal though I do like my Kubota. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Good luck!

Matt

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I think you can flip a coin on this decision.

I use a B2910, which is the same basic tractor as the B7800, but the B2910 is considered the upgraded version, it comes standard with lots of little convenience items and some major extras as well, but all that said, it is essentially the same tractor mechanically. It is a great machine.

I also have a New Holland TC24D in the garage and find that to be an amazing tractor. It is the little brother version of the TC29. The TC29 is very similar to the B2910, in that the TC29 has lots of added features that the TC30 does not have.

The TC30 is very similar in features to the B7800, both are considered value tractors, both are strong workhorses and excellent basic machines.

Given that you have 6 acres, you might consider stepping down one size machine and buying a tractor with more features for slightly less money??? Just a thought. But for slightly less, you could go to a 24hp B2410 (again a deluxe full featured tractor) or a NH TC24DA and get more ergonomics than you'd find on either the B7800 or TC30. Or, in the same size class machine, you could go to the B2610, which is a basic version of the B2410. On 6 acres I don't think you wouild find yourself underpowered at 24hp with the tasks you listed.

The big advantage to steppind down to a TC24 from a TC30 is that the TC24 uses the curved arm loader from NH and that is an excellent loader. I use a 12LA loader on my TC24 with a 54" bucket and I also use a LA402 loader with a 60" bucket on the B2910, I strongly prefer using the TC24, despite it slightly lower capacity and size becuase the visibility is about 100% better, making loader work faster. The B7800/B2910 use the LA402 square arm loader, both also have long flat rectangular hoods. The visibility forward is lacking and you really don't realize how much of a handicap it is until you have 2 tractors to compare the vast differences. If loader work is a priority, then seriously consider NH's loader as a significant advantage. If it is not a priority, then the advantage is minimized.

While an expensive machine, the TC29 also uses this advanced curved arm loader design with greater capacity, but that might be a machine that is above your budget, it will certainly cost more than a TC30 with the old style squared loader.

 

[shoppintractors]

<font color="blue"> .......you could go to the B2610, which is a basic version of the B2410. </font>

Bob, I believe you mean the B7610 opposed to the B2610. Your 7 key is sticking again /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif...it keeps typing 2.

Don

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Don, absolutely correct! But you were kind enough not to call it a brain cramp!

 

[goatman]

I have recently purchased a NH TC 30 with a great bend loader(Bushhog) and am very satisfied.. I agree that the TC29 with NH loader would be easier to use as stated above 2nd to the curve and slanted hood..But sice the loader is a Nice to have vs MUST have I elected to save some $ .. You Might Look @ Tarheel tractors in N.C. As they were best priced when I bought.. Now if you live in AZ, TX the probably wouldn't be practical for you.. Just my 2cents worth.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Traumabill]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm in Eastern CT., so NC might be a little far. Looking at New Hampshire (no sales tax) as an option.
Bob, I'm going to give the TC24DA a hard look. The local dealer had one on the floor. Price was around $16.7k...is this good? I was impressed by the size - bigger than the 7610 - and the loader. Loader capability is going to be the biggest selling point of whatever I get. How is the lift height on the 12 LA? I need to get material into a F-350 pickup...A mason dump would be nice but not a hard requirement.

I left out the fact I'll be getting a box blade....gotta have one of those for the work I need to do....

Thanks for all of your help guys...

Bill

 

[pekabu]

I bought my TC24d from NC. It has worked out really well for me. Chappel tractor in Brentwood NH has been really good, but price wise for the tractor I saved a lot going elsewhere. I have bought lots of stuff from Chappel though and they have a good selection of parts and a showroom full of tractor stuff. NOT just chainsaws.

I have heard good things about Scanman in Maine. Didn't know about them when I bought, would of liked to have checked them out.