We are looking at a New Holland LB110 and Fermec 860 digger. Its just for farm work so being nimble,light on its feet and reliable is more important than digging power etc. Is there much to choose between them? Also the loader on the NH, being a straight boom, doesn't seem to have a lot of reach, will it load a 9ton rear discharge spreader?
New Holland and Fermec diggers
- Thread starter jackstor
- Start date
Dukes Fit
Member
- Location
- Aberdeenshire
What age of machine?
I've been on both and I'd go Fermec every day of the week
Much more stable, serious pushing/loader power and better loader controls.
The later Terex branded ones were ruined by using cheaper parts.
I've been on both and I'd go Fermec every day of the week
Much more stable, serious pushing/loader power and better loader controls.
The later Terex branded ones were ruined by using cheaper parts.
Zetor
Member
- Location
- Northumberland
Fermec are probably the lightest and best off road of all the wheeled machines but mine was a Friday night one I would never have another.
Zebbedee
Member
- Location
- Scotland in the best bit
The terex is a good pushing machine, the new holland loader is a terrible shape I find for loading up high as you seem to lose reach, also the twisty handle for the third service is fairly awkward to use
Zebbedee
Member
- Location
- Scotland in the best bit
Knowing the history of something is worth a bit on its own. Both are capable machines, best to have a drive in them both and see what you prefer a wee sit in them will soon make your mind up
We've been in both, and definitely prefer the design of the fermec and it also has a lot less hours, but we know the history of the NH. We just don't want to buy a bad egg!
Forever Fendt
Member
- Location
- Derbyshire
8 ton tracked digger be any good ?
It would be a lot better for digging(!!) and for wet ground, but it would make us short of a loader. The other option would be tracked digger and put a loader on a tractor as back up to the handler.
- Location
- Welshpool Powys
You won't go wrong with a nh digger
Zebbedee
Member
- Location
- Scotland in the best bit
Don,t get too hung up on the hours as diggers will do higher hours than a tractor without too many probs, condition and wear is what you want to look at slack pins etc will always be slack imo
Forever Fendt
Member
- Location
- Derbyshire
i would think a digger may struggle loading a rear discharge over the wheels ,i think a tele handler would out perform a digger loading muck in the field
fermerboy
Member
- Location
- Banffshire
I have a NH95 which is the predessor to the LB110.
Prior to that we always had MF 50/60 type machines which the Fermec is based on.
The NH loader is crap compared to the fermec no question.
There is plenty of lift and power but the forward reach is poor and the joystick is rubbish compared to the Fermec.
That said the back actor can dig like hell and I really like it. Never used a 860 back actor so can't really compare.
Ours doesn't do much front loading other than gravel etc, have a loadall for main farm work. We have an old MF 60HX with about 20000hrs and that is my weapon of choice if the loadall is at other work.
The Fermec will have wider front wheels so that is a help loading in the field.
The NH digger has plenty go though, never feels sluggish even on the road.
Also parts for NH cheaper than Fermec.
Guess it depends on what you use it for most.
Prior to that we always had MF 50/60 type machines which the Fermec is based on.
The NH loader is crap compared to the fermec no question.
There is plenty of lift and power but the forward reach is poor and the joystick is rubbish compared to the Fermec.
That said the back actor can dig like hell and I really like it. Never used a 860 back actor so can't really compare.
Ours doesn't do much front loading other than gravel etc, have a loadall for main farm work. We have an old MF 60HX with about 20000hrs and that is my weapon of choice if the loadall is at other work.
The Fermec will have wider front wheels so that is a help loading in the field.
The NH digger has plenty go though, never feels sluggish even on the road.
Also parts for NH cheaper than Fermec.
Guess it depends on what you use it for most.
Mydexta
Member
- Location
- Dundee/angus
Fermecs suffered from a real bad quality paint job. We had a 2000 860 fermec and the paint almost used to blow off in the wind it was so poor
- Location
- Lincolnshire
The twisty handle on NH was changed to electric rocker on the top at some point, anyway how can you crowd press down and close the 4 in 1 all at once without it?.. never could clean up properly with a 3 cx
All NH parts are available at you local NH tractor dealer... where do you go for Fermec?
All NH parts are available at you local NH tractor dealer... where do you go for Fermec?
Ali_Maxxum
Member
- Location
- Chepstow, Wales
We've had an MF50HX, a MF/Fermec 760 and now we have an early Fermec 820.
The 820 is obviously the one most like the 860 you're looking at. Had it about 6-7years now roughly, got 8500hrs on it. Real good digger, pisses all over an equivalent tracked machine for digging power! Very good loader, only thing it's had is a couple of pipes... it did develop a starting issue (electrical) but we sorted that easy enough.
If you can get a big back digging bucket you'd be better loading with that I reckon, possibly use it backwards so you're always scooping into the pile rather than pulling towards you, also means you can sit in one place then and not rip the hell out of the ground you're loading on.
The 820 is obviously the one most like the 860 you're looking at. Had it about 6-7years now roughly, got 8500hrs on it. Real good digger, pisses all over an equivalent tracked machine for digging power! Very good loader, only thing it's had is a couple of pipes... it did develop a starting issue (electrical) but we sorted that easy enough.
If you can get a big back digging bucket you'd be better loading with that I reckon, possibly use it backwards so you're always scooping into the pile rather than pulling towards you, also means you can sit in one place then and not rip the hell out of the ground you're loading on.
- Location
- south norfolk
Having used both id choose the new holland .the 4 in 1 control aint that bad if softer springs are fitted and its easy to clear up once you got the hang of it.
Nick...
Nick...
- Location
- North West Wales
We've always had Fords then NHs and never struggle for reach but do have a quick hitch fitted which pushes bucket out and extra 6 inches. Can load spreaders with them. Personally I just open the bucket above spreader as I find it faster than dumping every time. When you get the knack you can open bucket and reverse out and be back at the heap much quicker. It'll run rings around a tractor loader but it's not a dedicated handler!!! Swings and roundabouts!!!
