Is a NH 33DA the right machine for the job?

drm · Sep 22, 2004

I am a tractor newbie and in the market. I have been to several dealers and spent the last month viewing this and other tractor boards. Due to dealer support and my preference I am looking at a New Holland TC33DA. So the question I put to the gallery is if this machine and implements are properly sized for my situation.

I just purchased a home on 11.5 acres with no landscaping.

It was dairy farm pasture some time ago. Had 1.5 aces planted and will be slowly converting/planting over the years including many many trees (there are no trees and we are on to of a hill so it gets pretty hot in the sun). Moved to the country to have some land and give my boys (preschool age now) plenty of space for growing and roaming.

The land is roughly as follows:
1.5 newly planted grass. Additional 1 field grass.

4 corn in the front and 2 grain planted by a local farmer (I do not plan to farm at this point).

3 overgrown field of brush and crown vetch that is very rough and rutted.

I plan to plant the 1 acre filed next fall and the 2 acre grain the following for a total of 4.5 acre grass. I will also be cutting in drainage ditches on both sides of my 1200 ft drive and planting 8' of grass on each side.

I have a 1,200' driveway with a 40' x 50' concrete pad at the garage and 225' x 14' of new asphalt in front of the house with 925' x 11' of new compacted 2A (1 1/2" max with fines) crushed limestone driveway. I may be maintaining an additional 1,200' gravel drive. It has been in for 8 years and is hard.

My tractor use will be primarily mowing with driveway maintenance and snow removal secondary. I am told to expect 3 to 4' snow drifts occationally due to being on top of a hill with the high part of the drive cut below the surrounding land by 2 or more feet.

I will also be using the tractor for landscaping, grading, grass planting and tree planting. I plan to rent as much equipment as is reasonable since the two local dealers have a fair assortment.

Most of the land is gently sloping to rolling with the back few acres on a steep slope.

Here is the equipment I am looking at and pricing:
NH TC33DA, Hydro, FWD, R3 Turf Tire (ground is soft) ($14,900)
14LA FEL ($3,550)
72" MMM Rear Discharge mower ($2,750)
60" Woods std. duty brush hog (BB60) ($1,200)
72" Woods std duty rear blade with rubber edge (by Curtis) ($500)

TOTAL price $22,900

I am leaning towards the 84" rear blade to allow me to offset it. Should I go to Medium duty? Woods recommends 30-75 hp.

Should I get the chain shielding on the brush hog?

Thanks for the advice.

MicroPilot · Sep 22, 2004

Welcome to TBN!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This sounds like a great deal, and will be plenty of tractor for what you have and want to do.

DavidJ · Sep 22, 2004

It sounds to me like this machine will do everything you need. I have about the same size place and my 33D does all I could hope for. I apologize, but you're on your on about the plowing snow /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif that's one problem I don't have. Now if you want to talk about moving hurricane destroyed trees I can talk about that /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

One thing I would think about is the 60" brush hog. I use a 72" and it works great. The wider width gives you a bit past the rear tires so you don't have to get so close to obstacles (fence, buildings, trees, etc.)

OrangeGuy · Sep 22, 2004

Welcome to TBN!

It looks like you are going to have a great place. The size and the attachments look good to me. However, I would seriously look at a tractor with a cab. If you are going to spend that much money, make the tractor truly an all-season workhorse.

If NH doesn't offer a suitable cab, check out the Kubota L3430. I did and find the cab the best investment I made with the tractor.

OrangeGuy

drm · Sep 22, 2004

OrangeGuy,

A cab is available from NH & from Curtis but I am already significantly over my estimated budget and any more will likely kill this purchase. Something to look forward to in the future.

Besides, I have a hardly worn set of Carharts that don't get enough use.

TV372 · Sep 22, 2004

IMO I would go with a TC 35DA or Case DX35. With the fel on these machine skid steer coupler is available. So that way down the road a few years you have a need for pallet forks, 4 in 1 bucket, snowplow, or grappel bucket. Change over of front mounted impliment will be quick and easy.

Also you want to think about at least on set of rear hyd. remotes and a hyd side link if you are planning on doing alot of grading work.

As for tires i would go with R4 construction tread tires. I use them on my lawn and they give great flotation. Dont forget rim gaurd tire ballast.

Also by going to a class 3 tractor you also gain pto hp. & greater 3pt hitch lifting. So you can rent heavier impliment such as a Harley rake.

blackjack · Sep 23, 2004

My opinion is that that class III size would be too big for mowing, especially since you mentioned that you will be planting (mowing around) a lot of trees. I have a DX33 and find it capable of doing everthing I ask of it. The class II's do come with an available quick-attach bucket, so getting the pallet forks or other skid-loader attachments should not be a problem.
If you're doing a lot of loader work or need the additional lift capacity of the 3 pt, then maybe I'd look at a class III unit.

drm · Sep 23, 2004

I was looking at the TC35D and TC40D but the only MMM w/ rear discharge that is compatible is the 84" and I am concerned about maneuverability.

I was looking at the rear finish mower, especially due to lower price, but after a test drive worried about taking out something around the house during turning. My house has about 10 sides/corners and three sets of steps off the wrap around porch. So there is a lot of things to watch for.

I checked into the Harley Rake and they have 2 models that are compatible. there are also 4 dealers within 30 miles so I would think one would have a smaller one that they would rent. I will talk to the salesman at the place I am going to buy just to be sure since they have a large assortment of tractor rental equipment.

I will be sure to get the quick hitch bucket.

Any idea how much to fit a hydraulic top link to a TC33? NH does not have this as an option.

Thanks for the suggestion.

hazmat · Sep 24, 2004

For a hydraulic top link you will need

Valve ~$250 from NH (might want to ge two for future expansion)
Cylinder - $100-200 - a couple of advertisers here offer them - check the "dealers" tab - CCM comes to mind.
Hoses - ~$50 local NAPA or dealer can make them up to the size you need.

Try a search for top link or Top and Tilt It's one of the favorite topics of discussion.

dirtwhisperer · Sep 24, 2004

drn - one thing you might consider to get back in line with your budget is the TC30. It really depends if you want all the bells and whistles of the boomer line. The tc33 will also be able to lift a little more bucket weight if that is importtant - about 1150 versus 875 full height at pivot pins. From what I have read in other threads - the skid-steer attachment will lower the lifting capicty more than the regular bucket because it is out further from the pivot points.

drm · Sep 24, 2004

I spoke with the dealer to day and he said he would provide the quick attach bucket and rear hydraulic hookup at cost. The quick attach bucket is an additional $275 and about $250 for the rear hydraulics.

I will be looking into the hydraulic top & tilt but will most likely need to forgo this due to costs.

I started out set on the TC30 but based on the amount of rear implement work I will likely be doing and being a little older than I like to admit. The swivel seat weighed in alot. Also by the time I got the Hydro trany and cruise the difference was a little over $1,000 from one dealer and less from the other. Both dealers I was working with appeared to have given better discounts with the TC33DA. Must be demand for the TC30.

Thanks for the suggestions. This site has been a wealth of information.

drm · Sep 24, 2004

Hazmat

My dealer said he would install valves at cost, $250 (I believe ea.). I will be getting two so that I can install a future hydraulic top link and run a Harley Rake/Ground Preparator.

The rest will have to come later. Do you know if NH makes a crank adjustable top link? The dealer believed that they only had the std. turnbuckle type.

Thanks

hazmat · Sep 30, 2004

Don't know if NH makes the top link, but you could probably fit a generic if you wanted to. Just figure out the length you want and make sure the tractor end fits.

NEOhioGuy · Oct 3, 2004

I just took delivery of a TC33DA and implements on 9/22/04. Here are the prices I paid:

TC33DA, deluxe seat, deluxe 3pt hitch - $14,999
NH 14LA FEL, 60" HD bucket - $3,600
NH 914A MMM, 72" rear discharge - $2,400
Woods BB60 standard duty 60" rotary cutter - $1,057
buhler/farmking 72" rear blade - $240

Sorry I took so long replying to your post. Been busy mowing our 13 acre "Ponderosa." /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif FWIW, I think you have the right machine for the job, but then I'm a newbie, too. HTH

monsterdad1 · Oct 5, 2004

I have a NH TC33 that I purchased this spring to mow our 5 acres and move some dirt and gravel. My original intention was to get a 72" MMM because my wife would be cutting the grass. After talking to the dealer about cost, ground clearance and the time to uninstall the mower, I opted for a 72" Woods finish mower. I picked the mower up used for $400. I have been exceptionally pleased with the performance of this mower. I still need to trim around the house, but the mower does an excellent job around trees. BTW, my wife loves the mower. I would definitely recommend the quick attach bucket. It's much easier to maneuver without the bucket when mowing. Good Luck!

drm · Oct 8, 2004

I just took delivery of a TC33DA Yesterday afternoon. I did not get off until dark last night. I mowed the weeds. Took of the mower deck and started cleaning up and grading around a culvert pipe I had installed at the low spot in my drive. I have lots more projects lined up. It is proving to be the right size and power which I will test cutting in drainage ditches and grading around my 1200 foot drive.

Here is what I got: TC33DA w/ the new Titan Turf Tires, 14LA FEL, Quick attach bucket, heavy duty cutting teeth, rear remote hydraulics, rear light, and 914 72" MMM, and 72" Woods rear blade with rubber cutting edge for $22,900.

My local dealer "threw in" the rear light, free delivery and demo (invaluable), and free on-site labor for the first 50 hour service.

The importance of a local dealer was really proven by my dealers time and effort with me not to mention I can call or stop in any time.

I appreciate the advice and info from the site and will be using it more as I tackle new projects.

TCBoomer · Oct 8, 2004

I am in the process of possibly trading up to the TC33DA, 14LA and 72" MMM rear discharge and have a few questions to ask.

How did you like the 72" MMM? Any problems with scalping or cut quality? Do you know if the blades are the hi lift or standard? IIRC, they offer both for the 72" according to the spec sheet.

Loaded tires? If not, do you mow any steep slopes?

You mention Titan Turf Tires, are they the only turfs available from NH or are there others?

Thanks

drm · Oct 10, 2004

So far I have not had any problems with the 72" MMM. But, I really was just cutting the weeds the previous owner tried to pass off as a lawn. I had 1 1/2 acres graded and planted with grass but it is not ready to cut. The land around my house was being farmed till four years ago and was never planted, finish graded or weeded. I cut the real rough areas with the deck raised and it did fine. Then I cut down the areas near the house from 12-18" down to 6" or so with the deck raised then recut down to 3" in float. It did a real nice job and cut the weeds fairly fine with no scalping. Based on this I would guess that it will do very well on grass.

The dealer installed what he called the mulching blades which I believe to be the gator blades. The dealer said that is all he sales now due to the nice cut and mulching they provide. They did a good job on the weeds which can be very difficult to mow. A neighbor who has a lawn with a fair amount of weeds had to sale his Toro garden tractor because it would not cut his lawn well.

I did not get the tires loaded. I am using the rear blade as ballast but have not attempted any very steep areas. It is not heavy enough for the loader when full so I may add steel weights to the blade A frame or just get the ballast box. I have not inquired about cost of loading wheels but not sure I want the weight all the time. I do have an area off my drive that I may not be able to cut with the tractor. Two of the landscapers equipment operators recommended not trying due to the slope.

As far as the turf tires, there where three different models on the dealers lot. I chose the Titan ("new turf tires" is what the dealer refered to them as) based on his recommendation and the fact that they have a flat profile and are very soft. They should do well in the snow and have a good bite in the lawn without rutting the yard.