Which New Tractor? NH T30; Kubota L3000DT, MF231s

[maschl]

We are searching for a new tractor to replace a stolen Ford New Holland 1715 with 7108 front loader. We have 300 wooded acres, 10 requiring mowing. We have about an acre tilled for vegetables and we are planning on putting 10 acres in grapes. The land has some hills (especially the vineyard land), lots of rocks and numerous springs creating some muddy spots. We use the loader a lot to haul construction materials, wood, lanscape depris, etc. We are debating between the NH T30, the discontinued Kubota L3000DT and (we realize utility not compact) the Massey 231s. They are all comparably priced. We don't want bells and whistles - we do want dependibility, performance. We like the weight of the Massey and the size for hauling a hay wagon etc. but we hear it is very noisy (we haven't yet driven) The NH (basically the replacement for what we had stolen) is the best price by far.
Advise on the best tractor for our needs?

 

[lablovers]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gifAt the risk of sounding like KiotiJohn, don't overlook the Kioti's. I drove the DK35 yesterday and it is a sweet unit. It does have the weight you are looking for. Although more options than you probably want, check it out if you have a dealer near. I am finding that pricing is all over the board. Depending on where you live, you might find them priced right. The one I saw yesterday was with loader and scraper and around $18,900. That was the ticketed price. I think you can do much better. It definitely deserves a look. I am taking my wife to see it and the LK3054XS, a good but more basic unit this weekend if things work out. There are numerous links talking about their durability. Check out the two discussion topics on Kioti if you are interested. Good luck, the fun is just beginning.
Regards,
Richard aka lablovers /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[fishman]

Don't dismiss the possible utility of a hydrostatic transmission. It's not for everyone, but try it, you might like it.

I've used both (gear transmission a lot) and love the hydrostat.

 

[thcri]

check out some of the other brands too. Kioti, Mahindra and Centruy come to mind. All rigs with no bells and whistles. However, that TC30 is pretty nice with no bells and whistles and if you wish, you can get that one in hydro.

murph

 

[JerryG]

maschl,
If the NH 1715 did the job, any of the three would more than likely. The MF 231s is a tested with time utility tractor. I is a simple tractor with no bells or whistles. There is very little that will tear up on it. It is also a lot heavier duty tractor than either one of the compacts. It was originally from the MF 35, 135, 240 linage. You would be able to put several thousand hours at hard labor on this tractor. The Perkins engine is a very strong dependable engine. It may be nosier that the compacts, but it is has a much better engine. MF owned Perkins engines for about 40 years until hard times fell on the company and it was sold off. Caterpillar now owns Perkins. The 231 is a strong well built tractor, but it is not fancy. You might also look at the 400 series, they start out just 2-3 horsepower more than the 231s. Another very good tractor is the MF 243 and 263. They have been discontinued this year, so you might be able to find one of them new on a lot with 4 wheel drive at a very good price.

 

[raynman]

maschl,

Welcome to TBN,

As stated by other's /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gifthe tractors you mention are all good and capable of doing the job, but again as stated you may want to look at other brands <font color="green"> ( JD )</font> /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Had to put it in.

 

[Youare]

I have a L3000DT which I like very much. This is a gear drive unit with a FEL but no bells. The tractor has been easy to use and was built on a proven Kubota platform.

As it has been said many times before find a dealer that will give you the service you need and go with that brand. However, from what I have read there have been very few tratcor problems with most all the different brands, so I say get what you want.

The tractors with the weight will be able to use their horsepower when it comes to pulling or pushing things.

Randy