TC30 or JD790? Help from either side....

fctadam · Mar 6, 2004

Well I seemed to have narrowed the search down to, two tractors. The TC30 or the JD790.

I got a price for the NH for 19,500 with FEL, and backhoe. The JD was 21,000 with the same and choice of tires. Any thoughts on these prices?

The Deere looked a little more heavy-duty and the dealer is right down the road from my home. The FEL steel and bracing is a little more heavy duty. The JD dealer told me the hydraulics are much faster on his machine, than the NH because of pump capacity. I’m not sure what numbers to look at on the specs sheets. However, the TC30 has a much higher 3 -pt lift capacity, almost twice that of the Deere. I'm also unable to find any information of the FEL lifting, and weight capacities. I definitely want the one that can lift the most weight.

Also was wondering about comparing the backhoe digging force and depth between the two. Anyone with any experience with either or both machines that could lend some information would be great. The TC30 at glance seems to be the better deal, with a cheaper price, and more lifting in the 3pt hitch. Am I missing something?

Casimir · Mar 6, 2004

fctadam:

You probably could have gotten by with one post in the general forums. Most regulars read the majority of those.

Both tractors are good machines. I suspect it will boil down to which one fits you the best and which dealer you have the most confidence in. I don't have much experience with backhoes, but have read a lot about whether 3-pt or frame mounts are best. If your backhoe use is light or infrequent, you can probably get by with a 3-pt mount. However, if your use is infrequent, you might consider doing what I do, and rent a backhoe or mini-excavator when you really need one and spend the extra $$ on other attachments, like a box blade, brush cutter, rake, etc. As someone else said, it is fun spending other folks' money /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

Good luck with your choice and let's see some pics when you make the plunge.

Kip

jinman · Mar 6, 2004

I don't know if you have actually driven a TC30 or JD790, but I don't think I'd make a deal without giving both of them a workout. Also, your NH dealer might have the same backhoe on a different tractor so you could see it in action.

Here's a link to the spec sheet for the TC30.

TC30 Specs

The hydraulic pump flow is 6.1 gallons per minute and that is the flow that will drive your 3PH and Loader. The power steering pump only drives the power steering and the hydrostatic transmission has its own pump.

...hope this helps, and good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Soundguy · Mar 6, 2004

If the 3pt has twice the capacity on the NH.. I would look very closely at the jd lift capacity for the loader.. I'll bet you find the NH fel lifts more too.

I own an older JD and a NH.. but I'm very happy with blue. 3pt lift capacity is ~fairly~ important.. especially if you do any discing.. etc.. Discs are heavy...

You probably can't loose with either unit. How is the dealer for the NH.. do you feel 'good' with him?

Get a spec sheet on the JD... A dealer saying 'mines faster' isn't worth squat if its not on paper. Compair to the NH specs someone sent you..

Soundguy

fctadam · Mar 6, 2004

You guys are great. Both dealers are equally nice, and respected. The Deere is a little close (20 miles). The FEL in the NH according to both sets of stats that I have lifts more, and at a higher rate. The backhoe comparisons aren’t even close with the NH stealing that too.

I guess I'm just trying to make sure I'm not missing something, since the Deere is 1,500 bucks more. They are both bare bones. Perhaps it's the green paint?

Casimir · Mar 6, 2004

( I guess I'm just trying to make sure I'm not missing something, since the Deere is 1,500 bucks more. They are both bare bones. Perhaps it's the green paint?
)

More likely just regional variations in price. In some areas, Green seems to beat Blue's prices on comparable machines, and in others, vice versa. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

John_Mc · Mar 8, 2004

( Get a spec sheet on the JD... A dealer saying 'mines faster' isn't worth squat if its not on paper.)

Especially in this case... The JD brochure I have lists the 790's implement pump capacity as 5.6 GPM. I can't find my NH TC30 sheet righ tnow, but if Jinman's spec of 6.1 GPM for the NH is correct, then it looks as though your JD dealer was mistaken.

John Mc

Soundguy · Mar 8, 2004

I tis still possible to have faster hyds on the lower GPM pump.. but then that means the hyd cylinders are smaller too.. * and that would account for the 790 having half the loader capacity too*

So the JD dealer saying his hyds are faster.. is really a bit misleading.. when he isn't saying also that the pump has less flow, cylinders are smaller.. and fel is a 'weak sister' in comparison.. etc /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Soundguy

jayhawkRoy · Mar 8, 2004

My brother in law went through a similar thought process when he purchased the TC30 we share. He thought the better 3 point load rating and extra horse power made the TC30 worth it, compared to the 790. As far as FEL is concerned, I believe our Rhino FEL on the TC30 lifts about 875 lbs, compared to about 750 on the JD 70 loader. I think the NH loader is similar in specs to the Rhino. We have been extremely happy with the FEL so far.

Kevin_in_VA · Mar 9, 2004

I was also comparing the TC30 and the 790 when I was tractor shopping last year. I asked each dealer about adding a backhoe later, and the JD dealer tried to steer me to a bigger tractor saying that the backhoe would probably beat up the 790. I don't know if he was just trying to get me to buy the 990 or just being straight with me. Bear in mind as has been said before that the 790's 3PH is half the capacity of the TC30.

I bought the TC30

Kevin