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 | SteveTX
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 5 Cedar HIll, TX 
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2003-09-07 63336
I've been shopping for a new tractor for quite sometime now. Have been seriously looking at a NH TC33D and a Kubota L3430. But now am trying to evaluate a JD 4310. It seems that Deere may have better financing options and perhaps some features the other tractors don't offer. I have no experience with these green machines. I seem to be getting more confused by the day. Any advice on my purchase would be appreciated?
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 | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon 
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2003-09-07 63339
I went through the same decision making process a few months ago and bought the JD 4310. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, but here are the reasons I opted for the JD.
I didn't care for the ergonomics of the Kubota with the hydro transmission. The treadle pedal didn't fit me and seemed cumbersome to use, the brakes were on the same side as the hydro pedal, and the loader joystick seemed a bit awkward. Some people like Kubota ergonomics so don't take this as gospel. I also didn't care for the all electronic instrument panel, and at the time I was shopping they didn't have a spark arrestor kit for 3430. The Kubota is a great machine but the last straw for me was the fact that my local Kubota dealer was completely awful to deal with so I crossed them off my list early.
The NH dealer was great and offered me the best price of the three, but there were some options that were unavailable on it. For one, I wanted a Top-N-Tilt kit and needed a spark arrestor and NH offered neither (although the dealer would have fabricated one for me). It also shared the hydro treadle pedal which I didn't like. On the up side I really liked the SuperSteer option, but the current NH 7800 loader is weaker than either the Kubota or JD loaders. NH is coming out with a new 14LA loader next year but it won't work with the current TC33 tractors. I crossed this one off my list because of the loader.
The JD dealer was reputable and great to deal with and offered a fair price on the 4310 which fit me like a glove. I really liked everything about the 4310 except the fact that I thought the eHydro electronics may have some reliability issues (sensor and switch issues). Since JD has a great reputation for making things right and the best parts network around I felt comfortable going that way.
During my research I set up a spreadsheet to compare specs of all three machines, and the differences were not very significant with the exception of the weaker NH loader, and even that would generally do the job.
My recommendation is to get a feel for the best and most reputable dealer and give them extra points, then buy the one that fits you best. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2003-09-08 63348
For 'going to be' new owners, this confusing shopping for tractor stuff serves pretty well as a way to learn about tractors. Few people probably buy one until they've learned enough to do basic operations and maintenance. In the meantime it's just confusing, but that's because mostly people learn through advertising and specs. A case can be made that the purpose of ads and specs is to confuse.
Rest easy and just take the education. The confusion will go away on it's own and one day there's will be an 'Ahh this is one' experience. That's almost always the best tractor for a person. It doesn't make a lot of difference which tractor it is. They all basically do the same work and they're all good machines. The one you get is likely to be the best tractor for you because we all adapt to the machines we have. A skilled operator can figure out how to get a job done with most any machine, and besides we all end up liking the one we have.
What that means is that how a tractor sits and how it feels to you (and nobody else) and how the dealer comes across is maybe more important than any feature or spec. It's not confusing at all, and confusion likely just says the basic education isn't quite complete.
The dealers you're talking to probably ask about your land and jobs for the tractor. They should be doing that so they can talk up features of their tractors that maybe can do some part of you work a little better than another tractor. When they do that, a dealer will sound like they're making sense. When they talk up a tractor without connecting it to your land, it may not be the best tractor or dealer for you. Simply how you feel about the tractor is much better than trying to analyze it and also less confusing. Analyzing is better for learning than for buying. ....
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| JOHNW
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2003-09-08 63353
i drove all three and liked the jd4310 best,fit me like a glove im 5'11" 210lbs .thats the one i end up with ....
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 | Chief
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4297 Southwest MiddleTennessee
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2003-09-08 63359
I would ecko Ken's opinion. I also had a good bit of experience with these tractors contracting purchases for the 101st Airborne Division when I was on active duty. John Deere was the ONLY manufacture that sent us a representative, gave training classes, and logistics support. The tractors have held up VERY well. I contracted 15 4710's which are still in Iraq to this day running strong. The soldiers love these tractors. I saw how much they could do with them and that is what got my interest piqued. As you can see in my profile, I went with a 4410. LOVE this tractor. There are a few little bugs I am working out (such as the steering wheel cap constantly falling off, the battery issue in front of the radiator, and a few have had problems with the ehydro controllers) but nothing is perfect. Over all the tractor performs very well and is very reliable. The dealer parts and support has been nothing short of fantastic. Good luck with your choice. ....
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