Expensive Hat!

[gator2]

O.K. Guys,
I've been to busy playing to write but, here it is. I went and did it, I purchased a 20-some- thousand dollar hat. See attached file for picture. I bought the hat and they threw the tractor in for free, nice of them, wasn't it? Still plenty of things to do yet, like attach the thumb on the backhoe, and see how tough it's going to be to disconnect the hoe. I'll continue reading, I'm always up for idea's and tips. Nice forum, enjoy.

 

[Rowski]

Joe,

Congrats!!!!!! Nice looking hat... I mean machine. Did you purchase the thumb yet? Took some pics of my thumb this weekend. Was going to post the pic because I knew you and someone else is interested. You will not regret getting the thumb. Best of luck and be safe.

Derek

 

[DVerbarg]

Gator,

Nice looking machine! I have a TC40D and love it. How do you like the hoe?

DaveV

 

[gator2]

I love it, I wasn't sure how fast the hydrulics would work but they are great, it's real fast. It's a mid mount unit, alot of extra weight, but it' extra sturdy.

 

[Thomas]

Joe,
Yes sir those <font color=blue>hats </font color=blue>do cost,but just think what those <font color=orange>t-shirts </font color=orange>cost. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Congratulations on your new NH,and may the weather in KY allow you to get some tractor time.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[dullpain]

Nice looking trees in the background there on your attached picture.

What's a thumb? enjoy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

It's a welded on attachment for the backhoe, it turns your bucket into a hand, sort-of, it makes it able to grab items.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Gator, and all other "blue" people,
Congratulations on your new tractor. This is my first posting on this site but I have been reading your past discussions with great interest! I feel like I know you all in a way, and can definitely relate to your feelings about your tractors. Don't have one yet but hope to soon. Been looking at the major 3 brands (colors) but seem to be settling in on New Holland.
Do you all use your tractors for part time work ever or just to do the jobs around home? I'm still trying to decide how big a tractor I need ( want! ). Is it practical to think a compact tractor will be able to dig the footings for a large garage foundation and will the backhoe on any of these units dig a septic trench that needs to be 36" wide and 24" deep and 80' long? (need 6 of them!) A friend of mine that has run heavy equipment is going to help me ( I am a firefighter and part time remodeling contractor, but have no experience with excavating), and sort of burst my bubble by saying I should save my money and rent a full size fel/backhoe to do the job. Thinkin the tractor would be good therapy even if it took longer... you all seem to be enjoying yours! Have 4 acres to mow and 4 acres woods and 12 acres of farm field that I would some day like to plant in hay myself. Any comments or advice would be appreciated.
Gator, what model Boomer is yours and would it do all the things I described?
Thanks for listening,
Rob Meyer (barnmedic)

 

[JohnT]

Rob,

I've owned my TC45D w/HST, FEL, and 72" box scraper for just a few weeks now. 1.) Glad I bought NH. 2.) It's a good thing I didn't buy anything smaller. 3.) To move more dirt faster would require several pieces of equipment (e.g., dozer, excavator, and grader), but I work cheaper!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner Rob, but I was on vacation. I've got the 45D w/ supersteer, bucket and backhoe, see picture on the first posting.

 

[barnmedic]

Gator and friends,
Thanks for responding. I'm getting closer to the time I'll decide which tractor to get. Do any of you live close to Indiana and how much did your respective "Big Boomers" set you back? Kind of leaning toward the TC35d to keep costs down and will probably just get the 16LA FEL and a rear grader blade to start. I may wait until next spring to start the garage/septic work. Also, did you guys check out the corresponding Kubota and John Deere models and if so what swayed you toward the New Hollands? I am leaning toward the New Holland but am not sure if I'm doing it for logical reasons. My wife and kids think it is "neater looking" ! I guess I do too.
Finally, do any of you use your tractors for part time income?
Just wondering... looking to further justify the purchase and spending more time on the tractor!
Thanks for the input,
Rob (barnmedic)

 

[gator2]

Hey Rob,
Were neighbors, I live across the creek (Ohio river) here in Ky. I paid about 17,000. for the 45D w\supersteer, about 2,900. for the bucket, heavy duty, and about 7,300. for the backhoe. I'm impressed with the whole package it seems to be able to do everything I expected and more. At first I wasn't sure about the hydrostat but now I'm glad I got it, sure makes bush hogging quick when you need to back up to trim. When I tow it around it sure gets the looks. I've used it for a friend to dig his septic lines, and frost footers. May start doing some small jobs soon.

 

[paccorti]

Wow Gator! Sounds like you got a good deal!

Rob (barnmedic), I did look very hard at the other brands. Much like you, I lurked around this site a lot to seek advice. I strongly considered the Kubota L3010 and L3410. In my case a dealer set me up with a offer for a TC35D just slightly more expensive than a L3010. I couldn't resist! Stronger FEL, bigger engine, two speed electric switching hydro motor (in addition to hi/lo range), brakes on the proper side, 4 link bucket and super comfy ergos. Especially that seat /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I've been very pleased with mine. I'd highly recommend a NH.

Peter

 

[barnmedic]

Hey Guys,
Gator's great deal he got has inspired me to think I might be able to afford a backhoe after all! I searched high and low on the web and found a great salesman at Maple Mountain Equipment in Western PA. It's a long drive though unless I just buy it sight unseen like so many on this sight have done. I was quoted 17,700 for the TC35D w/ 16LA loader and R4's. Much better than here in Indy but maybe a bit higher than the dealer Gator got his from.
Can you guys tell me whether the front end loader on the bigger boomers has a position on the hydraulics where it just rests the bucket on the ground using the wieght of the loader to provide the down pressure? This would allow the front bucket to be used like a grader or rake depending on the angle of the bucket.
Also, does anyone have specs on the bigger backhoes for these units and/or recomendations as to whether to go with the frame mounted NH or with one of the aftermarket hoes?
I can't wait to join the swelling ranks of the compact tractor owners. Gator, what part of KY do you live in? I am real familiar with the Paducah area and the Louisville and Lexington areas. Have all of you bought locally? My local dealer said he didn't make any money on the boomers and was more interested in selling heavy equip. He then proceeded to quote me a price that was about 3500 dollars higher than the quote I recieved above just recently. Ah well, I'm ramblin...
Looking forward to being able to "smelling diesel in the morning! (as one of the other big boomer owners on here likes to say). Thanks to all of you for responding.
Rob (barnmedic)

 

[chuckp]

<font color=blue>Can you guys tell me whether the front end loader on the bigger boomers has a position on the hydraulics where it just rests the bucket on the ground using the wieght of the loader to provide the down pressure?</font color=blue>

Yes, On the 16LA FEL for the Larger Boomers, this is called the float position.

 

[Bird]

I think it's not just the 16LA on the larger Boomers. I think they ALL have the float feature.

Bird