Buying TN60A or TT60A...Help??

[Hobbit]

Hello to all.. I've been lurking around here for a few days trying to learn what I need to know before jumping into this. So, take pity on me and don't be too harsh.

I'm looking at a TN60A that was out on a lease for 2-3 months. It has 53 hours on it and retains the balance of the factory warranty (I've been told). Price is $16,700. I am comparing it to the TT60A (2 hrs on the meter). Price is $14,500. Both tractors are complete but no extras or implements.

I have a small "farm" that is in a renovation phase. About 15 acres of pasture land that is being reclaimed (overgrown, brushy, briars, etc), and an additional 25 acres recently logged that may be replanted or moved into a different agricultural use. Terrain is level to gently sloping and rolling with a small year round stream that needs to be crossed to get to some of the property.

I have previously owned a JD CUT (850 MFWD), but I believe that I need a larger more robust machine for this work.

Comments please. Prices?? Size of tractor?? Suitability?? If you ask the questions, I'll provide the answers!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Chuck_Lind]

Regarding the TN60A; I presume this to be a 2WD since the price indicates it. Sounds like an awfully good price for a machine with so few hours, but if that's the case go for it.

I have a 2000 TN65 4WD that I used on a 70-acre tillable farm and it meets my needs. You couldn't go wrong on the TN60, but I would look further for one that has 4WD. Again, I'm just assuming the TN60 is a 2wd.

There's been way too many occasions where 4WD was a necessity in mud, hills, pulling a round baler up a hill, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Hobbit]

Right you are about the 2WD thing. I have considered FWD and have not completely ruled it out, but the additional cost is an obstacle that I would need to overcome. My JD was a MFWD and it was helpful (mostly because the tractor was underpowered for the tasks at hand).

My use for this tractor will be general maintenance around the farm. Clearing, cutting, fencing, some light ground engagement (tilling, disc harrow, plowing.?), water lines (not sure how I'm going to do that), and managing/maintaining forage crops or newly planted timber stands....etc.

Most of the ground is level to very gently rolling and generally dry. Located in the heart of North Carolina.

I am also looking at adding a backhoe (maybe.??). They're a bit spendy..

Is the '60 enough tractor?? Or should I be looking at '75 or larger? Confusion reigns supreme

Thanks for all of the help!!

 

[Chuck_Lind]

I looked at both the TN 75 and TN60; decided to go with the TN60 for one reason: TN75 has a turbo; TN60 is normally-aspirated. This equates - in my opinion - longer engine life and less maintenance.

I recall in my flying days the turbo charged engines had a TBO (time before overhaul) of perhaps 1200 hours; where a normally-aspirated engine may be 2000 hours.

 

[Hobbit]

Yes...

Thanks for reminding me! I definitely want to stay with the normally aspirated engines. I spent many long hours in the air (military pilot-Instrument UT, Commercial, Instrument, MEL), and know what turbos do to the wear rate of engines.

Does anyone know anything about the TT series of tractors?? I looked at one the other day and they seem to be a lot of tractor for the money. I could get a TT75A for less money than the "used" TN60A. Of course, you sacrifice some of the extras.....???

Also, what about backhoes for these tractors?? Are there any out there that are a "reasonable" price?? And of course won't fall apart. Of course I realize what the laws of economics say.

 

[Steve Mc]

Scroll thru the last 2 or 3 pages of posts. You will find a few posts that either I started or revived regarding the TC55 and TT60A. I have similar needs and all of the fine folks on this site helped answer my questions...which are very similar to yours. In fact, the posts filled in all the info that is missing on the New Holland literature and web site. If you do not requrie a cab, the TT60A is hard to beat for the money. Any more typing here will simply be a repeat of what has already been posted.

 

[Hobbit]

Right....I spent many hours pouring over the latest threads about this size tractor before posting, but could have missed something....I will go back and reread. In any event there seems to be precious little information available about the NEW TTxxA series of tractors. I suspect that is because they are so new that a lot of information hasn't filtered down to the general populace yet.

I have now spent about an hour driving both the TT and the TN at my local dealer. I am going to go back in the next day or so and re-do my own little tests--to see if my first impressions are still accurate. The dealer doesn't seem to mind my "playing" with his tractors (I suspect because he realizes that a sale is imminent.. )

I have also discovered that implements (at least "good" ones) are rather spendy. The price is going up.

Question still remains---and I hope some of you have the experience/knowledge to answer---Backhoes for this size tractor---What are the better ones?? and Are there any on the market that are "better values"?? That is to say...Are there any less expensive models that are still good performers and will not breakdown every few hours??

Thanks to everyone here for the help....Great site!

 

[LoneCowboy]

airplane motor: gasoline,
tractor motor: diesel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HUGE difference
a diesel really is just a giant air pump, the more air you can pump in, the more fuel you can put in, the more power you get. All those over the road trucks? Turbo's and have been for y ears, they get a million miles or more before rebuilds. All the big 3/4 ton trucks? all turbo-diesels

All you gotta remember is not to work it really hard and then turn it off, otherwise the turbo bearings cook in the hot oil, just let it idle down for a few minutes, which isn't bad advice for any motor.

My lesson learned? (the hard way of course). once you decide on a size of tractor, get the most HP (within reason) you can afford within that size.
i.e. if you have have decided that you want a TN 3 cylinder tractor (since the 4's are actually bigger), go for the TN75 if you can swing it. If you don't need the power, you don't have to use it, but if you do want it and it's not there......

 

[burnetma]

Got to agree with Brian... A turbo is not a maintenance or life problem on a diesel. The turbo actually improves emissions, reduces noise without the need to a muffler and gives you power when you need it. All good things. My truck (powerstroke) has 240k miles without a single engine issue. I wanted a turbo tractor but I couldn't pass up on the deal on the tractor I got (-$15k for 18 hours use).

TT vs. TN
Both have their market (obviously).

I looked at both a number of years ago. Compare all critical numbers including weight, tire size, lift capacity and hydraulic flow. Number of gears and speeds below 1 mph may be important depending on use. Only you can decide.

Be sure to get at least two rear remotes. You may not use them often, but if you need them they are expensive to add. I have used my remotes for my square baler and operating the county's no-till seeder for planting pasture and hay ground. Also useful for equipment with lift gates or position control.

 

[Steve Mc]

Hey Hobbitt-

When test driving, how was the turning radius on the TT 4WD? Did it feel tight enough to handle the usual barn/loader chores, maneuvering around buildings, stalls, etc? When my dealer gets one, I want to compare it to the TC55 or the so called TC60. I'll probably still go with the TT series based on price/value.