Buying Advice Good or not so good deal ?

[Unitedcs]

Hello, I'm picking up a TC35 w/16la 4wd next week I bought for 9k. All looked good on it, no seal leaks that I could see. It had been left outside so doesnt look so great but it seems to run strong. the meter shows 2800hrs. Does it seem like I got a decent deal or over paid ? I'm not certain of the year as I didn't know how to check until reading a post here so I'll have to check but the seller says its between 2001 and 2004. Any input on what I should do as far as service would be appreciated.

 

[jinman]

If you look under the left operator's platform, there is a plate with the tractor serial number and unit number. Post the unit number here and we'll tell you when your tractor was built. The unit number is date code that will tell you the exact day it was built.

I think $9k for a TC35 with 16LA is a decent price, even with 2800 hours. It would be interesting to know what the tractor has done in those hours. I don't think living outside is such a bad thing, especially since the fenders and hood are plastic. They may not look too good, but that doesn't hurt anything. What I would check right away after getting the tractor home is the area behind/below the battery and the radiator. That's a problem area on these early tractors due to battery acid leaking.

 

[Unitedcs]

thanks Jim, from the tag on the engine (right behind and a little above the fuel filter bowl theres a tag with a date that ends in 01. So I guess it's a 2001. I couldnt find any other dates. I cant even tell if its a plan tc35 or 35D etc, as the hood decals are missing also. I think it was run into a tree or something and cracked the hood and it might be a replacement hood on it. What I need to figure out is what all the dash switches do. One (the far left) is for the 2 fender work lights pointing backwards. Dont know what the one next to it is for. Also, to the right of the steering wheel looks like a turn signal switch but it has no blinkers. I guess I need to invest in an operators manuel but just hate to part with 50 bucks to learn what the switches do. I'd be interested in finding out how the 16L bucket comes off. Thanks again.

 

[jinman]

thanks Jim, from the tag on the engine (right behind and a little above the fuel filter bowl theres a tag with a date that ends in 01. So I guess it's a 2001. I couldnt find any other dates. I cant even tell if its a plan tc35 or 35D etc, as the hood decals are missing also.

You are nowhere near where I told you to look. Walk around the tractor to the left side (that's the side underneath your left foot when you are sitting in the seat). Look under the operator's platform on that side and there should be an aluminum plate on the side of the transmission that has the model number, serial number, and unit number.

If the tractor is an HST model, it's a 35D, if it is a gear model, it's a 35. One light switch (has green lens) is for the headlights and taillights the one with the triangle on it is for the emergency flasher. The blinkers are incorporated into the lights on the fenders. When you set the blinker switch to one direction or the other, the corresponding side should blink. If you press the switch with the triangle, both blinkers should blink and you should see blinking arrows on the dash panel. There's a chance that the bulbs are burned out or the flasher is not working. I guess it could also be a fuse. Fuses are located below the instrument panel. Remove the phillips screws on each side of the panel and carefully lift it out. The fuses are on the left side and will probably be caked with dust.

 

[Unitedcs]

I'll make my son go down to the shed and look where you indicated. We found a lady about an hour away that was willing to trade her 5' king cutter bush hog for our 4' model, even up. Now looking to find some one wanting to trade a 5' for a 6 or 7'. It was taking my son and I over 3 days to mow 29 acers with the small 4' and JD650. I'm not for sure what the TC35 will handle in size without damaging the pto as its listed to have only 29hp at the pto. Do you know how big a bush hog it could manage without damaging it. OUt goal is to get into making square bales eventually, so we've got a long way to go. - starting from scratch without any knowledge about it. But considering we didnt even know what pto stood for. We appreciate your help and the info on this board.