Thinking about jumping ship ( Going to orange )

joes_427_vette · Jan 12, 2005

Kubota sure does a nice job with their cabs. Heat, air, visibility, style..... and the nearby dealer seems to be customer oriented. When I get all the New Holland engineering defects repaired I am going to seriously take a look at their tractors. At the rate I'm going new problems out number the old. Thinking about a western snowplow spring for the hydro linkage. It will take two men and a boy to push it in but I bet it returns when you let off. In cold weather it is unacceptable. Glad I didn't sell the Allis.

twabscs · Jan 12, 2005

You're not the only one. I'm not really jumping ship just welcoming another color (orange) into the fold. A combination of poor dealer support and pricing, I'm looking at an M8200 to add to my TC40D. Now that I have 160 acres instead of 40, I need a bigger tractor but will probably keep the TC.

Are you going to trade the TC45 in? If so, what are you looking at in orange?

AndyMA · Jan 12, 2005

Joe, Just curious what you are talking about. Clearly the New Holland cab and a/c system is superior to the Kubota's cab. And what are all these New Holland engineering defects? Just curious I've had 5 Ford/ New Hollands in a row and haven't seen many problems. The Kubota's I've run always seem to be loose and have their share of non working functions. Just my experiences.

Andy

DUMBDOG · Jan 12, 2005

You can always do what I did, have one of each of the major three, however the JD is a full size TLB.

Each tractor has its place, each a different size, each dealer is different. Have not used the service of any of them. However the JD dealer jacks up his parts prices, the NH charges regular retail prices. Parts availability seems good at both of them. Have not had time to judge the Kubota dealer as parts yet as it was just delivered.

The cabs on the Kubota are great, only an hour on it, but I cannot say enough about the cab worklights, both front and back. It sure will be nice to operate the loader in the dark, including just driving down a trail, and seeing what is ahead of you without the bucket blocking the light.

joes_427_vette · Jan 13, 2005

Andy; I haven't seen a factory cab for a compact New Holland. The dealer indicated there were several aftermarket choices available. Let me see now... where to begin. The battery acid was first, followed by the waterline from the block to the radiator that wouldn't let the engine reach operating temperature. Replace the thermostat that has the cable and lead weight attached that blocks the thermostat open. The constant battle with the sticking hydro pedal. Raising the front wheels off the ground to get it out of four wheel drive. The hydraulic problem with the loader bucket ( which we still have not found ) checked the rams and rebuilt the loader control. The tilt and telescope steering that froze in place ( $400. parts and 3 hours labor will reinstate this feature I am told ) When in two wheel drive on a slippery surface the front tire will slide. It is full of oil but must have a touch of arthritis. Even when the machine is warmed up in winter the hydro pedal fails to return to the neutral position. I will not let anyone else operate it for fear of something getting wrecked. Oh... did I mention the instrument cluster fogs up so you can guess at the functions being monitored. Best of all when you call customer service none of these problems ever existed. I did get a copy of the service bulletin regarding the repair and parts required to remedy the cold operating temperature from the dealer. I believe the only problem fixed under warranty was the hydro free wheeling when going down a hill. I did have the joy stick apart to view the construction. I am sure before long it too will end up in my hand with a quick jerk of the loader control. The tractor value book indicates it should bring between 14 to 15k with good paint and low hours, which this one has. I can trade it in but the dealer will not put alot of money in it. I would have to try to sell it outright. If the new ones keep going up I may get a fair price.

_RaT_ · Jan 14, 2005

Andy, when did New Holland start making cabs with AC and such for the TC45 and smaller tractors? I have not seen them but must admit, NH support around me is a little weak. Kubotas you ran seemed a little loose, interesting, I kind of think that way about our 1996 NH 2120 12X12, well that and it being the most expensive repair tractor we have had to date.

djradz · Jan 14, 2005

On your sticking 4 wd. I"ve posted this before, but just in case you missed it, I don't even have a FEL so "lifting the front end" is not even an option. But anyway, I think that is way unnecessary. I've found, all you have to do is remove the load from the drivetrain, and it very easily comes out of 4wd. The way I do it is, while moving at something like 3-4 mph, or even less, simply let up on the hydro pedal while at the same time moving the 4wd lever to the 2wd position. Kind of like taking your foot off the accelerator of your car and coasting, but just for a split second. You must move the lever in the instant while the momentum of the tractor is pushing it to maintain speed and the trasmission, now reduced in speed, is trying to slow it down. During this brief moment, the 4wd almost seems to be "helped" out of position by the tranny. Occasionlly, if I haven't timed it quite right, I've had to do it a second time, but never more than that. Hope this helps with at least one of the multitude of problems. I too have seen most of what you have. By the way, keep the hydro pedal grease fitting well lubed. It seems to help the "sticking". In fact, as I write this, I'm wondering if a second fitting, opposite the one, might improve the situation any.

joes_427_vette · Jan 14, 2005

Djradz; I have read your post along with countless others. I was just outlining some of the problems associated with my compact to Andy who apparently bought all the GOOD ones. There certainly are more problems but this is a quick recall of the things I have noticed. Should one have to go through all these circumstances ( backing, going forward, lifting the front axle) to simply move it from 4 to 2wd? In my garage where the floor is smooth in 2 wd the rear tires spin ( winter, cold temps., cold surface ) and unless you engage the front axle it won't get out of its way. Any other 4x4 I have owned you simply move the lever for in or out. It has to be a flaw in the design or it would operate like any other equipment.
Can't you picture selling this thing.... giving the prospective owner a list of dos and donts, watch for this, and if it does that correct it with them. I just think it looks and has a better reputation than it deserves. 15-20 years from now do you think they will still be in use or will they be the next generation select - o - speed ? Those were real resale kings... and mechanics favorites.

joes_427_vette · Jan 14, 2005

Dumbdog; The inbound checks don't quite cover a sample from the big three..... However I do like the size of the building. One could test drive them in comfort on the coldest day. How big did you go ? or don't I want to know ? I hear the parts from Deere, Case, and Ford on full size backhoes is a little on the high side. I am amazed the number of backhoes with 6-8k hours on for sale. They certainly have paid for themselves in production. I bet the owners keep a close watch on the hour meter to make certain they are super accurate. I have tried out 1600 hour hoes that have more than their share of arthritis and loose joints.

DocHeb · Jan 14, 2005

If I were you I'd sell the tractor and get a Kubota. Then you could contribute to the following threads:

2410 Differential Lock - Can't unlock differential.

L3000DT Transmission Issues - Broken high/low shifter

Trouble shifting into low -- hydro - Difficulty in shifting into low.

Hitting all the common BX problems

BX2200 Fuel Leak

I could go on, but why? Every mechanical device has problems.

_RaT_ · Jan 14, 2005

Did you happen to see the first 5 of the 6 posts in the NH section? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I hope his TC45 is an isolated incident somewhat like my NH 2120.

JASTN70D · Jan 14, 2005

Good point Doc. They all have there problems. From this post it appears that some are inherent in tractors in general.

joes_427_vette
What ever you decide good luck and I hope it works out better for you. I had to change also so I know where your @ with this issue

DocHeb · Jan 14, 2005

Not throwing stones. I think he should switch since he seems really unhappy - but I would just suggest that the grass may only seem to be greener (or oranger.) I didn't really search out 3000 series problems, but the above links to problems were found without much effort. I suspect there are just as many to be found for orange 40 hp CUTs as there are for blue, green, red, yellow, and yes, even Pink Tractors /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DUMBDOG · Jan 14, 2005

The eight foot high section of the building is 40 X 48, with three seven foot doors. The sixteen foot high section is 24 X 48 with a fourteen foot door. The total square footage is 3072. It also has a one bedroom apartment in it. Due to the seven foot doors none of my tractors will go into the lower part, so the JD sits outside this winter, as the other side has the motor home and the NH and Kubota. There would be no room anyway for the tractors as there is a sidecar rig and a ultra, also 40,000 pounds of potatoes along with assorted workbenches and tools.

Will have to put up another building on the new property next year for all of the implements that I am started to collect for the farming end of the farmers market. This would include a cooler and processing area.

As far as the backhoe parts go, the only thing I have needed was a cable for the back lock on the hoe which was broken when I purchased it and a oil filter. My gripe is you go to the web site for JD and look at the prices and then go into the store and the prices are higher plus they add freight to the purchase whether you want the parts fast or not. If you call $30.00 for a three foot long wire cable with a barrel end and a loop on the other end expensive you are right.

thcri · Jan 14, 2005

( If I were you I'd sell the tractor and get a Kubota. Then you could contribute to the following threads:

2410 Differential Lock - Can't unlock differential.

L3000DT Transmission Issues - Broken high/low shifter

Trouble shifting into low -- hydro - Difficulty in shifting into low.

Hitting all the common BX problems

BX2200 Fuel Leak

I could go on, but why? Every mechanical device has problems. )

Don't forget the one, "Whats ailing my buta" That was a real long one.

murph

_RaT_ · Jan 14, 2005

But this one was sadder
New TC25D Falling Apart and I'm Angry

I'm just kidding around Murph. NH's are fine, I still have my NH 2120

DocHeb · Jan 14, 2005

RaT: No fair - editing your post after I responded! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Nonetheless, I'll see the New TC25D Falling Apart and I'm Angry , and I'll raise with Major structural failure on L4610 - ouch !! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Of course, you realize that for every blue one I'll find an orange one - all the while you will be just adding to my argument that every color has problems.

Just for grins, lets add the other orange (Kioti): No Guts HI gear HST

and green (John Deere) : Disappointed in my Deere for the first time.

My own tractor had a major drivetrain failure at 24 minutes of ownership( TC40D HST/PTO Fails). Demands made on these machines will bring some problems to light, and these may be operator dependant. There will be weak links in the engineering - under stress something has to fail first. There are also probably "lemon" machines (see LAGeorge's trials and tribulations regarding his TC24.) Every point/counterpoint will just support my argument: Every tractor make will have some problems. Any tractor make that has a significant problem with quality will earn the reputation it deserves and lose market share.

DUMBDOG · Jan 14, 2005

Statistically speaking there will be more Kubota problems, followed by JD and then NH. However some people take some problems like the elbows on the coolers on the NH more seriously, making mountains out of a simple four dollar fix.

PineRidge · Jan 14, 2005

Joe we're thinking about jumping ship also. We have about had it with the local NH guy and I'm starting to see green. Maybe we'll go out this weekend and see what Deere offers in a nice larger cabbed tractor with heat and air. Maybe add tunes to boot!

_RaT_ · Jan 14, 2005

Sorry Doc, your right, I edited the post because I like to reread it in the full window it did indeed reek of partisan tractor behavior. I promptly removed it realizing I did not approve of what I had wrote. Your comment nonetheless was right on target.

Regarding that major tractor failure, did we ever get to the bottom of that?

Take are! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Rat...