I needed something bigger than the NH1630 for plowing and tilling 40 acres, the size of our garden. Looked at the 55HP class in the NH/Case, the NH dealer was $2900 higher than the Case. Liked the idea of the Case with IH as grew up with a A and M. But could not locate a gear 55HP. The Case dealer is also a Kubota dealer so one thing led to another.
The tractor will also be used for a transplanter and a potato digger, both jobs that would be better suited to a HST, the NH being to small for the transplanter and a little underpowered for the potato digger considering the turf tires.
It sure looked like it was going to be a gear drive tractor with all of the plowing, and then started looking at the GST with the creeper gear with the lowest speed being .10 MPH. Then looking at all of the models this one had a cab, creeper gear was standard.
It was not because it was a Kubota, but the features on the machine just suited my needs better than the other models that I had looked at, NH, Case, Cub Cadet. Even though I have a full size JD TLB, which was purchased used, did not look at them as the dealer is part of a string of dealerships and do not care for the parts price add ons.
I do feel that I purchased the best model to suit my needs, but will have to wait until next spring and summer to be sure.