Help!!!! Can't make up my mind!

JerryG · Oct 10, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif AndyM,
I am with you. I have been around here for several changes of the site and for more than one name of the site, I have heard every angle about hydros and they are great for playing around. I guess. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now Andy get ready for the war. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

hockeyhead · Oct 10, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

If your tractor is used mostly for loader work and mowing in confined areas ( trees landscaping etc...) than the hydro is much easier, thereby faster to use. If your tractor is used mostly to engage ground, tilling than gear drives are fine even better. I have a TC-30 gear drive 7308 loader, loaded R4 tires and I'm very happy with it. it is a mule, moving tons of dirt and rocks and gravel, tilling 60x100 garden, alot of postholes, grading, brush hogging, I have pulled a 10' disc harrow with it (borrowed) preping a 300' by 700' area for grass. Now I also mow that area and more with it, but my land is flat and open. Around the house and the front yard completely we use a 54" garden tractor hydro with cruise. If you get a hydro and it sounds like you should, make sure it has cruise control. When I first got this place I was cutting only 300x500 with a garden tractor hydro without cruise and my right foot would feel it. I paid 14050 for my Tc-30 in May 2003

MikePA · Oct 10, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

 I seem to be the only person on this board that doesn't see the big deal with a hydrostatic transmission. 
No offense, but you are hardly the only person on this board that believes this. Otherwise there would not be recurring discussions about it. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

It seems to me that when you drive a tractor, you stick it in one gear and leave it there, until you get to a big hill or you need to back up. 
For some tasks, e.g., loader work (lots of starting, stopping, backing up, etc.), a hydrostatic transmission is easier to use than a gear. For many tasks that involve ground engagment, the gear is better suited.

The issue is not which transmission is better, the issue is how the tractor will be used most of the time. Then pick the transmission which works best for those tasks.

markie61 · Oct 10, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Full disclosure: when I was shopping last year, I HATED hydro. I couldn't operate them smoothly to save my life. Then this low-hour unit fell into my lap and was $1000-2000 less than new shuttles of all brands, so I figured I could learn to live with it. If I didn't like it after a year or two, I could probably flip it and recover every penny.

The first day, I carried several loads of brush to a wash area with an 18 degree slope (thank you Tiltmeter). It felt so much safer and more controlled putting my front wheels on the edge than it ever was with the old Ford 2000. Not using a clutch added a whole new dimension of safe operation for me - in fact the Class III Boomers don't even have clutches.

Do I like shuttles? - yes. Would I have been satisfied with a shuttle? - probably. Am I glad I ended up with a hydro? - absolutely. In answer to your question " ( IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME??? ) " - I don't THINK so. After all, you DID buy a New Holland /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif!

Mark

hazmat · Oct 10, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Now Andy get ready for the war 

No war here. The New Holland forum is generally kinder & gentler than the "generic" forum. I think it has to due with our superior breeding (ie blue blood ) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Both transmissions work a heck of a lot better than a shovel & wheelbarrow /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

The comment about cruise control is right on - I think my foot would have fallen off while cutting the 8 acre fields at my parent's farm if it wasn't for the cruise.

Fortnutately seems that most of the compact & sub-compacts come with this feature.

Mosey · Oct 10, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

( The issue is not which transmission is better, the issue is how the tractor will be used most of the time. Then pick the transmission which works best for those tasks.)

Well stated Mike. I almost got the gear drive, but I'm sure glad I didn't. My tractor is used primarily for mowing 3 1/2 acres of yard with a 6' finish mower. It's not one big rectangular chunk though. The biggest piece is about 1 1/2 acres. A typical section is about 75' long, then I have to slow down and turn around or stop, backup, and go forward again on a corner. I gear drive would slow me down a lot and my left foot would get tired from clutching all the time. As it is, my right foot has never gotten tired from operating the hydro pedal. I also agree that the hydro is much faster for loader work.

JerryG · Oct 10, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

 The comment about cruise control is right on - I think my foot would have fallen off while cutting the 8 acre fields at my parent's farm if it wasn't for the cruise. 

You don't have to use the foot feed for extended mowing, there is also a throttle control handle. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Kevin_in_VA · Oct 10, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Now that we've gotten completely off the subject. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif What about the TC30? Other than the obvious HP difference, and the obvious design differences. How does it compare to the TC24D:

Economically?

Ergonomically?

Operationally?

hockeyhead · Oct 11, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

First off it is a class II compact 60" rear track instead of the 48" like the Tc-24, so the running gear is the same as a Tc-29 or 33 It has no tilt or telescoping steering wheel, the ROP does not fold, it has no built in tool box , sheetmetal fenders and hood instead of plastic and a dash lay-out is simpler but all the gauges and lights are there. The hydro is $1200 more than I paid, check out corriher tractors in newton NC, there is a link in this web site. check out the new holland web site for the complete spec sheet.
I'm 5'9" 180 lb and it fits me very well. it has the same seat as all new holland compacts That tc-30 hydro will function the same as a Tc-29 hydro.
When I commited to the deal mine had a bushhog loader on it and was priced at $13200, but after comparing the specs on that loader to the 7308, I went with the new holland loader pushing me to $14050. since I got it I added a rear hydrulic remote($480) from my local new holand dealer, a rear work light, swinging draw bar, a small plastic tool box bolted to the right fender and a rubber marine cup holder, now I believe I am all set ,but that's me you need go check one out see if it fits what you want and work the best deal you can enjoy your tractor search

AndyM · Oct 11, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

( Now that we've gotten completely off the subject. )

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. Please accept my apologies! It just seems that everyone is totally in love with their hydro. I drove a TC18 with hydro before I bought my gear model, and I just didn't have the "wow" reaction that most of the posters have when they are talking about it!

Anyhoo, the TC30 has less "frills" than the other TC models, but you need to ask yourself if you'd rather get a cheaper tractor, or do you REALLY need a fancy looking design and a tilt steering wheel. Ask Jerry (Mrwurm) what he thinks of his TC30. On the face of it, it seems to be a lot of value for the money.

Kevin_in_VA · Oct 18, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

So. Will a 24 run my 5 foot rotary mower or do I need to look at a 29 or 30?

AndyM · Oct 18, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

My TC18 handles my 5 foot finish mower just fine, but can't handle my 5 foot brushhog. I leave that for my 8N. I would put a 4 foor brush hog with the TC18. The extra hp on the TC24 might handle it though.

Bob_Skurka · Oct 18, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

I run a 5' Howse rotary cutter and a 5' Befco finish mower with no problems on my TC24D.

rdam · Oct 19, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

( So. Will a 24 run my 5 foot rotary mower or do I need to look at a 29 or 30? )

According to the Bush Hog literature. The 5 foot, "Squealer" (light duty) rotary cutter requires
25-40 "recommended tractor HP". It appears VERY rugged. However it is rated as light duty with a maximum cutting capacity of 1".

Incidentally, I seriously considered the TC30. The NH website states that the TC30 is rated to operate with the NH, 6 foot rotary cutter !!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Something to consider, especially with New Hollands blessing.

Bob_Skurka · Oct 20, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

I should make one amendment to my post about running the 5' Befco or 5' Howse cutters. . . when I said I ran both of them with no problems, I meant to say I run both of them with no shortage of horsepower. I found that the front end of the tractor, since I do not have a FEL on my NH 24D, is too light and I had to to add some weight to the front end.

I used EZ Weights and put 100# of weight on the front end and with that added weight up front the front of the tractor stays on the ground when I transport the decks in the UP position, even when I run uphills, although it is still a little light on the uphill runs. When I have the time, I will probably add another 25# or 50# to the front end just because I have so many hills.

But from the horsepower standpoint, you should not have any problems using a 5' deck. And according to NH, the TC 24D is sized for NH 5' decks. My Befco deck is rated to be used on the TC24D. I can't speak to the posting on the Bush Hog brand deck, but it might be something in the gearbox design between their brand and some of the others???

have_blue · Oct 20, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

( So. Will a 24 run my 5 foot rotary mower or do I need to look at a 29 or 30? )

I had a TC29, and it ran my Woods BB60 just fine. Only drawbacks were it was a bit slow, especially when the weeds got away from me. I guess what I'm saying is I think it takes about 30 HP to run a 5 footer with authority.

Kevin_in_VA · Oct 21, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Thanks everyone for all of the help deciding. I just ordered a TC30 Hydro with 7308 loader and filled R4s from Corriher Implement Co. in Newton, NC for $15875.00 plus shipping (max $400). They beat my local guy by 1500 bucks. Picking up a 5 foot box blade for an additional 350 bucks.

Kevin

Mrwurm · Oct 21, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

You make us so proud ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · Oct 21, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Jerry, just out of curiosity, what is the size difference between your TC30 and a TC29 and what is the difference in the turning radius, rear track, 3pt capacity, etc.

Mrwurm · Oct 21, 2003

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

I don't have all the answers right at hand, but here are a few comments: The Tc29 and TC30 are both class II machines and probably have about the same overall dimensions and wheelbase. The TC29 is a 'hundred pounds or so' heavier. The 3pt hitch has the same rating and both machines currently use the 7308 loader. The loader is spec'd a 'hundred pounds or so' differently depending on which machine its installed on.

The biggest difference as far as performance goes is hydraulic flow. The TC29 hydro compared to the TC30 hydro has higher flow rates. This means that the TC29 will operate hydraulic implements and steering at a faster pace, but the raw hydraulic power output (pressure) is the same. I'm not in much of a hurry, so this is ok with me.