DO NOT BUY TC40/45

[Dougster]

Hello Dougster, the way I look at it is a homeowner tractor is one that is bought by a homeowner to maintain his (or her) property. It may be 2 acres or 100 acres. The main issue is these machines see very limited use compared to a tractor that is in a heavy ag usage or state/town use where it is mowing every day while the grass grows. My friends who are homeowners and have tractors to take care of their property use their machines usually on the weekends when they have time to work on a project or mow the lawn. I wonder if anyone has figured out a duty cycle for tractors like they have for small engines?

As you have defined the term "homeowner" (i.e., up to 100 private acres of land), I will agree with you. But then the question becomes what to do about commercial/business use (by someone like me or LoneCowboy) on jobsites or in locations that demand a smaller tractor than 48HP or greater (NH's definition of UT vs. CUT). Are there any machines out there that you would consider appropriate for this? In my area, to be able to transport comfortably to a remote or residential jobsite, the tractors (or whatever) really need to have operational weights of 7,500 lbs or less.

In other words, is there any tractor w/FEL and BH or 3-point equipment weighing less than 7,500 lbs that you would consider appropriate for commercial/business use?

Dougster

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Kubota, NH, John Deere and all the other compact producers did not build these tractors for commercial use. They were built more for homeowners.

As I said before, compact tractors can do more then just maintain property but they will not hold up over time like a machine designed for that job will. I see compacts destroyed in vineyards trying to keep up with a TN-F or 5000N. I see compact TLB's destroyed on construction sites as people try to use them like a full size TLB. These tractors can do the work but it is slow and it is very easy to over work them by trying to do too much.

And for construction work the last thing I would want is a 3pt backhoe on a compact. A small mini would out work it 10 fold and not even break a sweat. If someone is serious about doing digging then they need to have the proper equipment. Most contractors will agree with me that a TLB is a tool that is ok but is not great at any of the things it is designed to do.

So basically, if you buy a tractor designed for homeowner use and use it more commercially then you have to expect it to break down more. Brian is having trouble with his tractor and I don't think it is because of use but more so because the dealer is incompetent and can't/won't fix it.

Again, I wonder if anyone has come up with a duty cycle rating for tractors like they have for small engines. The homeowner grade machines are built to last 50 hours or so while the higher end machines are built to last easily over 200 hours.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I agree with what you posted, but I can only react to what people write. In this thread, IH3444 further explained his comments re: hydros. But in the other thread (Click Here) someone actually said they were reconsidering their purchase of a NH tractor until they see the resolution of Brian's issue with his TC.

I LOVE reading this sort of thread, more as a study of human nature than of facts on buying a tractor. The lynch mob mentality is running rampant. If it were to be decided here, the poor New Holland rep would be meeting a gang with a short rope and a tall tree come this friday.

Brian isn't happy. The dealer in question has obviously dropped the ball. Now it's time to see if "corporate New Holland" can step up to the plate and deliver. Before we start tightening that noose, let's give them their day in court folks, before condemning their entire product line.

 

[jimg]

"Again, I wonder if anyone has come up with a duty cycle rating for tractors like they have for small engines. The homeowner grade machines are built to last 50 hours or so while the higher end machines are built to last easily over 200 hours."

Now thats an interesting question! Im sure that data does exist but would never make it to a public forum...at least w/o being highly sanitized by legal/marketing/managment/etc. It was all well thought out during the engineering design phase when engineering/mfg and marketing/sales worked out the particulars. Still, it would be interesting to know. You can be certain its a compromise though. No way you can get complete agreement from the group above.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

"Again, I wonder if anyone has come up with a duty cycle rating for tractors like they have for small engines. The homeowner grade machines are built to last 50 hours or so while the higher end machines are built to last easily over 200 hours."

Now thats an interesting question! Im sure that data does exist but would never make it to a public forum...at least w/o being highly sanitized by legal/marketing/managment/etc. It was all well thought out during the engineering design phase when engineering/mfg and marketing/sales worked out the particulars. Still, it would be interesting to know. You can be certain its a compromise though. No way you can get complete agreement from the group above.

Maybe I'm just negative, but I'd say there PROBABLY is a rating with-in most manufacturers on just that concept, only in a "built not to exceed a given timeframe" logic. That built in obsolescence thing.

 

[jimg]

There are 2 sides (maybe more too) to the positive/negative issue: company (Will this make me a profit?) and customer (Does this do what I want cost effectively?). From an engineering POV you can build ANYTHING. The problem is time to market (marketing/sales), cost to build (mfg) and profit margin (finance)...amoung other things. In the end the widget is a compromise of many factors and is what it is. The widget company hopes the buying public will accept it. Part of that equation is properly setting expectations which is a partnership of company and sales force.

Do you want it quick, good or cheap? Pick 2...

 

[Dougster]

I LOVE reading this sort of thread, more as a study of human nature than of facts on buying a tractor. The lynch mob mentality is running rampant. If it were to be decided here, the poor New Holland rep would be meeting a gang with a short rope and a tall tree come this friday. Brian isn't happy. The dealer in question has obviously dropped the ball. Now it's time to see if "corporate New Holland" can step up to the plate and deliver. Before we start tightening that noose, let's give them their day in court folks, before condemning their entire product line.

With all due respect Junk... I know that Brian is not a very happy camper right now and it shows... but who here is saying that the entire NH product line should be condemned? Or that the poor NH rep should be hanged? I am just not seeing this lynch mob mentality you speak of (maybe I should re-read all the posts again?). I am seeing a tractor-related small businessman much like myself with a serious problem and wondering how it's all going to turn out. No more, no less.

Or did I take too many tranquilizers today to see the much darker side?

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Kubota, NH, John Deere and all the other compact producers did not build these tractors for commercial use. They were built more for homeowners.

Well, that settles that once and for all. Brian and I and anyone else out there trying to use an under 48 HP tractor for commercial purposes are doomed. How stupid of us.

Dougster

 

[hazmat]

With all due respect Junk... I know that Brian is not a very happy camper right now and it shows... but who here is saying that the entire NH product line should be condemned? Or that the poor NH rep should be hanged? I am just not seeing this lynch mob mentality you speak of (maybe I should re-read all the posts again?). I am seeing a tractor-related small businessman much like myself with a serious problem and wondering how it's all going to turn out. No more, no less.

Or did I take too many tranquilizers today to see the much darker side?

Dougster

I think his comment was a bit tongue in cheek...

 

[Dougster]

I think his comment was a bit tongue in cheek...

Well, maybe so. My sense of humor is in the crapper today. I think it's the weather... or maybe just old age and senility.

Dougster