Price Check Price check on JD and NH plus PTO question

panthercoach · Sep 21, 2005

I am a newbie to the compact tractor world. I've been researching online for months now. I have two prices I would like feedback on. Two quotes I have received are as follows: JD 790 (w/o powersteering, manual trans., 2 WD) - $8,750 and NH TC 30 (4WD, manual trans.) - $ 11,800. On the JD, it is $1000 more to get power steering, which means a live PTO. What are the advantages to having a live PTO vs. trans. driven PTO? I will be mainly rough-cutting on about 5-6 acres. Some box blade work is also in the future plans. I have other models I am waiting for quotes on if anyone knows what kind of price I can expect on the following: MF 1423 (manual trans.) and Kubota B7510 (manual trans.). None of the tractors I have mentioned will have a FEL. I am located in central Alabama. Thanks for any help you guys can give me to make my decision.

RoyJackson · Sep 21, 2005

Using a rotary cutter only..a 2WD 790 with non-live PTO would work OK. Those big cutter blades have a lot of inertia, so they don't slow down much when shifting gears. However, I'd definitely want the MFWD for box-blade work.

I really enjoy my 790...but I doubt I'd go for a 2WD unit.

thcri · Sep 21, 2005

I believe you would be very sorry about any 2WD in a compact tractor. Even running a mower with a sidehill you would be sorry. And, your re-sale would stink. And no power steering if your going to ever do loader work would make ya sorry also. I would go back to the drawing board and start getting quotes with apples to apples and look into the future some.

murph

HRS · Sep 21, 2005

Panther, I recently stopped in at JD and they had a 4wd 790 for nearly the same price as that TC30 you are looking at. On such a small tractor, I'd go with fwd. Pulling a box blade is going to offer some resistance.

MessickFarmEqu · Sep 21, 2005

Make sure you make apples to apples comparisions. Adding 4WD normaly tacks about $1200-$1500 to the price, the TC30 is available in 2WD.

Optional Power Stearing! I thought we where beyond that now. I'd get it, you will more than make back the $1000 cost if you ever sell the tractor.

spb1971 · Sep 23, 2005

With live PTO you can operate the PTO before you operate the ground movement (PTO starts turning before tractor moves). This helps especially in mowing so that you can have the mower turning at rated speed before you drive into say brush or deep grass. With transmission driven PTO your tractor movement and PTO engagement happen all together.