TC 30 any input please?!

Timmmmah · Jan 10, 2006

I am considering a TC 30 and also the K grand L 3130 they are both harvest returns and great prices, but the Kubota is 3k more... is it worth it or is the TC 30 enough?! any feedback from owner appreciated, i am getting down to the wire on decisions here. I posted a similiar question in the kubota forum so please dont flame me out.. but i would like to get feedback from both sides of the coin...

I have 2 acres which the majority of is is stables with 3 maybe in the future 4 horses. I am NOT going to be running any PTO implements, except maybe a REMOTE maybe a tiller or a auger. Most of the time i will be using the FEL, a 5' box scraper and a harrow. I live in Reno/Sparks area in Nevada, so is usually pretty dry. I have a ton of rocks i am going to be initailly going to try and rip up with the teeth on the box scraper ( i know i will be losing them as fast as a shark loses teeth) and then filling and leveling with DG and then just maintaining it with the harrow. I dont give a (*&% about the cup holder and other warm and fuzzy items on the 3130, but i do like the extra 1000 lbs of mass and bigger diameter tires for putting the HP to the ground. And the much higher capacity of the loader. BUT HONESTLY would it be worth the extra 3k when the TC - 30 would probably suffice?

Input MUCH appreciated...

Soundguy · Jan 10, 2006

( BUT HONESTLY would it be worth the extra 3k when the TC - 30 would probably suffice?
)

Your wallet.. Is it worth it to you?

You can always add ballast to the tc 30. I feel it is a decent NH tractor.. and either is deffinately a lot of tractor for 2 ac. If you ballaste dit.. you could take the ballast off when not needed.. vs having a all-the-time heavier tractor. Course with mostly rock picking and ground engagement going on.. I'll bet you leave the weights on.

I'm not so sure that larger diamater tires help get the hp to the ground and better than smaller diameter. IMHO.. width is what you are looking for.. and agressiveness of the tires. No doubt that r-1 will be the most agressive.. etc..

Soundguy

GATC35 · Jan 10, 2006

Both machines mentioned are fine tractors. Keep in mind the TC-30 is considered a economy tractor, where as the 3130 has more bells and whistles. A better comparasion Bota vs. NH would be a 3130 vs, a TC-33, or even a TC-35.

I did read where some 3130 owners felt like the tractor was a little underpowered for it's size. You may want to search thru the Bota forums on that subject.

Good Luck.....

Let us know what you buy.

DavidA · Jan 10, 2006

I had a TC30 and they are excellent tractors. However, If I could buy a L3130 for only $3K more, I believe I would go with the L3130, assuming other factors are generally equal (reasonably similar condition, reasonably similar hours, etc.). The seat on the L3130 will be seem to be worth the difference after a few 8 to 10 hour days of seat time. The L3130 FEL is stronger. My son has a L3130 and I compared it to my TC30 very carefully. The additonal weight seems to add to its stability. I traded my TC30 for a TC33DA to get a better seat and to get HST (the clutch was killing my left knee). However, either machine will do a very good job for you. Hope you enjoy whichever one that you choose.

gamble77 · Jan 10, 2006

Yeah, you really are not comparing apples to apples here. Why don't you stop by your local NH dealership and have them show you their TC33, much more comparable as far as features go...the TC30 is an old gal!!

Timmmmah · Jan 10, 2006

the reasons i am choosing between these two are these are the only two i have to choose from as harvent returns, the TC 30 is 13K with Loader and the 3130 is 16k with loader, i know there are significant differences.. but as i mentioned in the post what i was going to be doing with it, was just wondering if the diff in cost is worth it

gamble77 · Jan 10, 2006

I'm sorry, I read that earlier and for some reason forgot about them being harvest returns. In that case I would drive both of them and see for yourself if you think the extra bells and whistles on the Kubota are worth the 3K. If you don't think they are then you just made up your mind for yourself. Both are good little tractors, obviously the Kubota specs out better, but 3K better...your call...

jinman · Jan 10, 2006

( TC 30 is 13K with Loader and the 3130 is 16k with loader)

I'm a blue guy... but this deal just screams orange. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I think I'd opt for the 'bota if it looked solid.

Timmmmah · Jan 10, 2006

yeah i am thinking so myself... now just to convince momma

jinman · Jan 10, 2006

( yeah i am thinking so myself... now just to convince momma )

Momma? Hey, you didn't mention the "momma factor." You may have to buy momma something nice and shiny too. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Timmmmah · Jan 10, 2006

she just spend almost 10k on furniture, dude i got some leverage lol /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Timmmmah · Jan 11, 2006

ok well i just got the go ahead from momma to purchase today, so I will make a couple calls then I will advise on my decision later, thanks for all your input... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

meledward23 · Jan 11, 2006

I may be a bit late, but here is my input.

I would go with the TC30. I have seat time on it, but not the Bota so I am partially biased there. But, my reason is they are basically the same machine. The 1000 lbs, weight difference is something but there are ways to do that. Besides I would rather temporily make my machine heavier than have it full time heavier.

Hmm. I was trying to get to hte point that for 3K, you could get all kinds of goodies. That is where the real usefullness of a tractor pays off in my book.

Hydraulic Top Link - Price less or 300-500 for remotes and cylinder....

Box Blade -
Scraper -
Tiller,

Who knows , but 3K can buy some nice goodies. I would rather have the goodies!!!!

DAP · Jan 11, 2006

Timmah ... based on what you've outlined, you should be looking at comparing the TC30 with Kubota's B7800.

The L3130 is a different class of tractor. If it's MASS you want, I'd be looking at a Kioti CK30 - similar in spec to the above 2 tractors but with much more inert weight.

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

daTeacha · Jan 11, 2006

Could somebody relieve my ignorance here? Just what is a "harvest return"? Is that like something coming off lease or a former rental unit or what? I'm completely unfamiliar with the term.

Timmmmah · Jan 11, 2006

they lease them in california to the grape growers for about two months for harvent then return them and they are sold highly discounted, similiar to a dealer demo at a car lot....

I am going with the 3130 FST with FEL and Industrials, just submitted credit app about a hour ago

Soundguy · Jan 11, 2006

( was going to be doing with it, was just wondering if the diff in cost is worth it )

One thing.. yes.. the tc-30 is more of an economy tractor.. but don't let that scare you for one minute... You are doing without bell's and whistles.

I used to own a Nh 1920.. now that's a bell and whistle laden model ( most of the XX20 series were ).. I liked the whistles and all.. but.. the fact of the matter is you get more hp per $ when you get an economy tractor. I looked over the 3010s for a while when I was looking for a bigger tractor.. settled for a 7610s.. the XX10s were more economy than bell and whistle laden. spartan op platforms.. plain dases.. etc... Good hp per dollar though.. Get whichever you want.. but don't let a good deal scare you because it has an 'economy' tag glued to it. economy = value depending on how you look at it.. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Soundguy

Timmmmah · Jan 12, 2006

ok I bought the 3130 FST... I take delivery 1-20-2006

Kept the AG tires

723 FEL
Bush hog 72" BS

jinman · Jan 12, 2006

( I take delivery 1-20-2006
)

Does this mean we can watch the Kubota forums for pictures? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Congratulations! I think your $16k was well spent. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Timmmmah · Jan 12, 2006

yepper, i am taking that day off work to try and learn how to box scrape without making whoop ti doo's /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

But then again i have a Yamaha YZ 450, so whoop ti doo's could be fun!