jgh
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2000
- Messages
- 474
- Location
- Goochland & Fluvanna Counties, VA
- Tractor
- NH TN90F; B3000 Kubota; Bobcats 430 & A300; Liebherr 621C, Exmark laser Z, 2 sawmills
2000-05-06
I hope the utility machines are close enough to Ag to merit comment in this forum.
My wife and I have burned up the road looking at our next tractor candidates. We want more implement capacity for additional land, both present and contemplated. Right now we are concentrating on the JD 5410 and the NH TN75S. Both are in the 65 PTO hp range. The NH is turbocharged.
I would really appreciate any comments from current and prospective owners about things like:
Is NH's Supersteer as good as it seems, even on these larger tractors? I understand it first showed up on the large Ag line. The damn thing will turn like it is spinning on a pole thru its rear end. Any downsides to it, other than sticking out a bit in front, requiring a longer loader frame?
How about the automatic 4wd, also a NH exclusive vs JD? One dealer told me it cuts out 4wd as the front wheels approach lock, to avoid scuffing. Driving a TN75S proved him right. Barely marked the grass.
My informed observation is that the JD is a bit more carefully made and painted than the NH (are Italian builders more laid back than Americans?), but that the technology on the NH is at a higher level. The SSteer and auto 4wd as well as digital displays, easier shuttling from fwd to reverse, etc, comes to mind. I do like the idea of an American designed and made engine on the JD, though. No reason, just the general rep of American diesel engines over the years.
Would you get the PowrReverser (JD)/Power Shuttle (NH) transmissions or the more manual synch shuttles? As I noted above the NH seems to have a more advanced shuttle shifter, and gives a matching reverse speed to each fwd speed (it literally is identical to Power shuttle, except you have to clutch each time). The JD seems to only have one reverse speed for each range (eg, 9/3, instead of NH's 16/16 now), and there is no separate shuttle shifter as with the NH.
Cab or no cab? I just drove my first cab tractor today and wow is it nice and quiet. But would it get in the way of the wide variety of implements I want to use, including the biggest meanest backhoe it will take? Obviously no folding the ROPS to enable putting it in the garage either. And it adds almost $6000 to either list price.
Would you buy the "tractor brand" of implement, ie, backhoe, loader, etc, or the Bush Hog, Woods or other reputable brand? Most dealers who comment say the tractor brands are overpriced, but not all offer an opinion. Would it hurt resale, esp on the loader?
And what about Resale value? The NH dealer claims that in the under 100 hp segment, Ford/NH holds the best resale record.
Pricing seems competitive between the two, maybe a bit higher on NH (though its unique features--SSteer and auto 4wd--may justify it) and it is as confusing as it is on the compacts, with packages, holdbacks, etc, ad naseaum.
I hope the utility/ag tractor owners out there will speak up and post reviews of their babies. The NH and JD review list is really short.
Thanks in advance!
Jim
I hope the utility machines are close enough to Ag to merit comment in this forum.
My wife and I have burned up the road looking at our next tractor candidates. We want more implement capacity for additional land, both present and contemplated. Right now we are concentrating on the JD 5410 and the NH TN75S. Both are in the 65 PTO hp range. The NH is turbocharged.
I would really appreciate any comments from current and prospective owners about things like:
Is NH's Supersteer as good as it seems, even on these larger tractors? I understand it first showed up on the large Ag line. The damn thing will turn like it is spinning on a pole thru its rear end. Any downsides to it, other than sticking out a bit in front, requiring a longer loader frame?
How about the automatic 4wd, also a NH exclusive vs JD? One dealer told me it cuts out 4wd as the front wheels approach lock, to avoid scuffing. Driving a TN75S proved him right. Barely marked the grass.
My informed observation is that the JD is a bit more carefully made and painted than the NH (are Italian builders more laid back than Americans?), but that the technology on the NH is at a higher level. The SSteer and auto 4wd as well as digital displays, easier shuttling from fwd to reverse, etc, comes to mind. I do like the idea of an American designed and made engine on the JD, though. No reason, just the general rep of American diesel engines over the years.
Would you get the PowrReverser (JD)/Power Shuttle (NH) transmissions or the more manual synch shuttles? As I noted above the NH seems to have a more advanced shuttle shifter, and gives a matching reverse speed to each fwd speed (it literally is identical to Power shuttle, except you have to clutch each time). The JD seems to only have one reverse speed for each range (eg, 9/3, instead of NH's 16/16 now), and there is no separate shuttle shifter as with the NH.
Cab or no cab? I just drove my first cab tractor today and wow is it nice and quiet. But would it get in the way of the wide variety of implements I want to use, including the biggest meanest backhoe it will take? Obviously no folding the ROPS to enable putting it in the garage either. And it adds almost $6000 to either list price.
Would you buy the "tractor brand" of implement, ie, backhoe, loader, etc, or the Bush Hog, Woods or other reputable brand? Most dealers who comment say the tractor brands are overpriced, but not all offer an opinion. Would it hurt resale, esp on the loader?
And what about Resale value? The NH dealer claims that in the under 100 hp segment, Ford/NH holds the best resale record.
Pricing seems competitive between the two, maybe a bit higher on NH (though its unique features--SSteer and auto 4wd--may justify it) and it is as confusing as it is on the compacts, with packages, holdbacks, etc, ad naseaum.
I hope the utility/ag tractor owners out there will speak up and post reviews of their babies. The NH and JD review list is really short.
Thanks in advance!
Jim