TC30 HST -vs- Farmtrac 300DTC

[Gumby6]

I am in the market for a utility machine.
Accessories will include FEL w quick change and extra hydraulics, Grapple,Box Blade, Post Hole Auger, Forks, and a detachable Backhoe for the 3pt.

My terrain is NOT flat, I have a 1/4 mile of gravel drive to maintain, wooded lot to semi clear/maintain, and a shop with equipment and material handling needs.

I am thinking the Farmtrac may be a little too large (length width) for my needs, but the added weight would help with the logging/material handling.

Unit would not be worked on a daily basis, but I like dependability and ease of maintenace/parts

I have researched the capabilities and mechanical advantages to both.

What I need is first hand opinions from owners like yourselves.

Any help would be appreciated.

Gary in NC

 

[NewToy]

I bought a Farmtrac 270DTC that I like real well. It comes pretty close to the NH on the spec sheet, and I like the roomy operating area.

John

 

[RodgerF]

I have a TC30. I think it's a great little tractor. I'm not familiar with the Farmtrac so I can't help much on a comparison.

The TC30 isn't available from New Holland with a quick change bucket. It is available aftermarket but not from N.H. I too have a backhoe but I would strongly suggest you look at the subframe mount. It's just as easy to put on or take off but a lot stronger.

As for the hydraulics, you can only add one set of remotes on the TC30. How many do you need? You can use diverter valves to get around this though. The rest of the implements on your list will work just fine.

When I was looking last year I got a phone quote on a 40hp Farmtrac of around 19,000 with loader. I liked what I saw on paper but never saw one in person. The dealer didn't have a smaller one in stock and I thought 40hp would be too big so I never made it there.

The TC30 is a basic, no frills tractor which is one of the reasons I liked it. I's easy to service, not much to go wrong and capable of a lot of work. Go take a look at both of them and see which one fits you better. If I remember right the Farmtrac come with a few extras as standard equipment.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

Rodger

 

[kanthardlyfarm]

Gary

This is my first post on TBN. I too live in WNC near Rosman and my land certainly isn't level. I have a TC 30 gear drive. The only thing I would do differently is have gotten an HST. However money was a problem (read WIFE). I have about 5 acres which is as steep as a mules face which I cleared about 2 acres and removed stumps and am in the process of cleaning up the logs. I have a NH FEL and a Leinbach scrape blade. Both work well. I have moved bolders which I wouldn't have thought it would budge and have scraped numerous driveways. I bought it in August of this year and have run the crap out of it and it hasn't hesitated once. Read back thru the NH forum and you'll see very few if any break downs of the TC 30. I know nothing about the Farmtrac but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another TC 30.

Good luck in your search

Larry

 

[Gumby6]

Thanks for the input Larry. Look for a personal message from me soon.

I have decided to go with the NH TC30 with HST, a Woods 1009 FEL with quick attachment feature, and a 3rd function remote to front of loader for a grappler or other implement.

The NH dealer, when questioned, explained that he was planning on installing the optional hyd remote to rear and plumbing hoses to front of FEL for the 3rd function. I explained that I don't have 2 right hands (asked him if he did?) and would like an electric toggle on the FEL control for the 3rd function. He is researching but was not aware of it's availability. Another NH dealer in NC automatically offered that so I know it is available. He was not in local delivery area though and wanted to charge for dlvy.

After much research on the web and many telephone calls to various FarmTrac dealers I was able to extract the pertinent detail that made the NH the tractor of choice for me.

I finally had a dealer explain (spill the beans?) that the Synchro Transmission on the 300DTC is still a manual transmission with a clutch. Funny...I always explained that I was comparing the Farmtrac unit to the TC30 with HST and they never pointed out the difference. You have to be sharp, especially if you are a newbie. Having slopes and inclines to deal with, the HST, as Larry points out, is a welcome feature.
This detail and many others, parts availability, service, dealer support (or lack thereof due to region I will be using tractor in) all added up to an obvious choice.

Sooo...hello everyone, I will be a regular member here on this forum for the next 20+ years? I am a New Holland man!

Gary

 

[gamble77]

Well first of all congrats on the purchase but now allow me to put my 2cents in...

I do not like the hydrostatic transmissions on hilly terrain. The transmissions bog down going up hills whereas gear driven transmissions do not do this near as much. Yes the hydro can be "feathered" to keep the motor in an acceptable RPM range but I have driven many a tractor in my day and I would want a gear drive unit any day where there is hilly terrain...and so do my customers!

Having to constantly feather that pedal to keep the motor in the right RPM range will wear on you...even more so then changing gears. I would have your NH dealer bring the TC30 out to your land and see just how that hydro operates. You can't just keep that hydro pedal on the floor and expect the tractor to compensate for the load change...whereas a geared tractor does a MUCH better job of this.

Again, congrats on the purchase but I would want to use the tractor on hilly land before I decided one way or the other.

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You can't just keep that hydro pedal on the floor and expect the tractor to compensate for the load change...whereas a geared tractor does a MUCH better job of this.
)</font>

So... Do you put your gear tractor into high gear and head for the hills? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Seriously, have you ever driven an HST on hills? They are the most stable, safe, and easy to maneuver type of tractor for working on hills, slopes, pond dams, etc, etc. If an HST only had one gear range, your assertion might make sense, but the TC30 has three ranges. Range II will work well for climbing small hills and Range I will easily climb hills until the wheels spin.

Your scenario sounds more like a guy who only has gear tractors to sell rather than anyone who has ever owned a hydrostatic transmission. I wouldn't mind you saying that gear tractors are far better for pulling a plow and constant speeds when mowing without cruise control, but I'm going to be close to first in line to correct you when you say that HSTs aren't good on hills. Just ain't so... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gumby6]

Did I just get talked back out of the New Holland?
Because the Hydro was a major seller point for price, now the Farmtrac may be back in play. I haven't finalized any deals yet, was planning too...but...

I will now watch this thread over the weekend and see what is said pros & cons for the Hydro on hills/inclines.

Keeping the motor in the right rpm range?

Are you referring to towed implements like a mower or other unit using the PTO on rear?

Cause with my landscape (read TREES) I don't plan to mow, bale hay, or even bush hog...the only towed implement I can imagine at this time is a boxblade to maintain drive.

Open for correction though.

Gary

 

[Bird]

I'd have to agree with jinman. I've had little Kubotas; one with a 2-range HST and one with a 3-range HST. Now I wouldn't try to climb a really steep hill in the highest range with either, but climbing pond dams. climbing out of ditches, etc. was never a problem with the HST in anything except the highest range, and in spite of living in fairly flat country, we did have some pretty good little hills on some of the roads and on the roads I used the highest range and never let up on the HST pedal and neither tractor ever bogged down.

 

[dqdave1]

Have a TC29d; with hydro; would not want anything else. Even though they need to move brakes to left side for independent braking applications. If you need power; go to lower range. On hills you might want to consider clutch replacement costs down the road also. HYDRO ALL THE WAY!