Questions about TC40A VS JD 4120

Victor23 · Jul 27, 2006

I have been researching this site for a while now and appreciate the knowledge shared here.
That said I have some comparison questions or specific questions about the TC40A.

First I drove one today and played in the dirt pile at the dealers lot. The tractor is nice. I liked the 4 cylinder engine. The HP at the pto reflected less loss in percentage compared to Kabota, MF, and JD. The sss reverser was not as bad as thought it would be. I have to back in toward my pond to mow the edges so reverse is a definite issue. The gear drive is easily suited for my needs but I am questioning a few issues.

The tractor weights about 500 lbs less than the comparible John Deere 4120 (3252 VS 3700). Are the axles Aluminum?
The hydraulic capicity is appears to be less as well (9.8 vs 12)? I could be reading this wrong.

The salesman stated that they sell an after market BH because it has it own reservoir because using the tractors own hydraulics would be too slow.

The price for the the tractor with the 16LA loader is $22000.00. I read that some of you purchased the same for about a thousand less.

The loader seemed to struggle a little with a full bucket of dirt. Maybe I did not have the RPM's high enough. But a couple of times it did not budge until I rocked the bucket or back out slightly. Could be user error. I also noticed that after about 20 minutes the temp gauge was closer to hot than cold. It read about 3/4 toward hot. (maybe normal). I am in Florida and it was about 90 deg. out.

Sorry for the long post but like the many before me, I am doing my due diligence.

Victor23

Doc_Bob · Jul 27, 2006

Victor23 said:
I
The loader seemed to struggle a little with a full bucket of dirt. Maybe I did not have the RPM's high enough. But a couple of times it did not budge until I rocked the bucket or back out slightly. Could be user error. I also noticed that after about 20 minutes the temp gauge was closer to hot than cold. It read about 3/4 toward hot. (maybe normal). I am in Florida and it was about 90 deg. out.

Victor23

Bucket sounds like technique. I always rock the bucket back before I pick it up.
Temp, depends partly on outside temp. 90? That is hot, sounds like the machine did fine.
Bob
PS TC 40 is a nice machine.

holstein05 · Jul 30, 2006

I love my TC40, but I will say this about the hydraulics. The FEL on the 16LA is rated at 2000 lbs, and I believe that is all you're gonna get out of it. That has been the most dissapointing thing about the tractor to me, but I was used to 90+ hp tractors on the dairy I grew up on, so I'm kinda biased. I would buy the same tractor over again, even with this one limitation.

Doc_Bob · Jul 30, 2006

I should have mentioned that I use a TN70A (70hp) tractor and I too need to curl bucket back to finish lifting a load.
Bob

jinman · Jul 31, 2006

Victor23 said:
Are the axles Aluminum?

No, they are plastic...

Seriously, where did you come up with that question? I can assure you they are not aluminum.

On the weight issue, my tractor is also heavier due to considerable operator ballast.

You are right about the hydraulic flow being 9.8 gpm. If the JD has 12 gpm, it ranks right up there with the NH TC48 and TC55. I think you are doing a good job of comparing specs. The JD machine is a newer generation and it will be interesting to see if NH trys to match those specs in future models. Of course, that will come at a price. Do you have any price comparisons to share?

Victor23 · Jul 31, 2006

Jinman,

I had to reread my post about the aluminum. I made an omission. I meant to ask if the axle housings were aluminum or other structural components. A former Kubota salesman made a reference to it as he showed me his new massey tractors.

Prices are as follows

NH Models
TC30 with loader 15,000
TC35A gear w/loader 21000
TC40A gear w/loader $22000

JD Model

3520 hydro with loader $20,700
4120 gear with 400x loader $23,700 (add 1200.00 for hydro)
4520 gear with 400x $26,500

Kubota

B7800hsd with LA 402 loader $15,690 (12395 w/o loader)
L3130 with LA723 loader $19,090 ($15000 with out loader)
L3830 $16,995 plus loader

Truthfully, I am leaning toward the JD 4120. It is more tractor than I need. For the extra $3000.00 over the 3520 It is a lot more tractor.
That said, all the above listed tractors appeared very well made. Which is why we all struggle over what is right for our paticular situation.

jinman · Aug 2, 2006

Victor23 said:
Truthfully, I am leaning toward the JD 4120. It is more tractor than I need. For the extra $3000.00 over the 3520 It is a lot more tractor.
That said, all the above listed tractors appeared very well made. Which is why we all struggle over what is right for our paticular situation.

Victor, I'm sorry I didn't get back to your thread more quickly. From your numbers, it would be hard for me to not go with the JD 4120 too. I don't know the specs, but I'm sure you have compared all the numbers. The 4120 is one generation ahead of the TC40A. The increased hydraulic flow is definitely a big item and the loader is also very advanced. I'd be tempted to pay that extra $1200 and get the hydro model.

Sometimes both JD and Kubota prices look similar to NH, but there are subtle differences. Little things like having a level indicator on the bucket as standard and the style of quick attach are also considerations. Frankly, I think your NH price for the TC40A is on the high side. Your NH dealer may make a better deal if pressed.

All-in-all, I think you've got a good grip on what is out there and how things compare. From what you've found, I'd be strongly leaning toward the JD too.

BTW: The casings on the NH are not aluminum. You should always take comments like that from a competing dealer with a "grain of salt."

kossetx · Aug 2, 2006

Victor, The temp guage on mine is constantly at a 3/4 position on the guage which is closer to hot than the halfway point. As for price, you don't say where your from, but I paid over 3G's less for the same tractorloader this year, in TX.

TwinWillows · Aug 2, 2006

I too have a TC40DA w/the 16LA loader. When going after a full scoop of dirt I always roll the bucket back - that's common on FEL's. Even the big ones used on a large earthmoving project. My temp guage runs about 3/4 to hot also. Even in the winter.

The price sounds close to what I paid - every area seems to vary some.

Enjoy your buying decision - I know we did & we're satisfied w/what we got for our hard earned $ so far.

Victor23 · Aug 2, 2006

Kossetx,

Thats a big difference in price, $3000.00. I am in central Florida. I need to have a longer talk with these sales people if there is that kind of mark up on these tractors.