Buying Advice Looking at a cheap?? TC29 need advice!

Dafixer · Jan 21, 2007

Here's an update. I got the chance to drive & operate the tractor. Everything seems to work well, no strange noises. Steering felt tight, no looseness. Started fine. Oil levels were all full. The dipsticks showed clean, clear fluid; except the engine oil, it was black (not thick but looks like it could use a change). I didn't notice any wobble or shake out of the bent rim, but I didn't run it up to 30mph either. I looked under the chassis and everything is very clean, still new looking. The engine is dated 04/01 so I'm guessing this is a 01 model.
The only problems seem to be...
The steering column is stuck, I've read here that is fairly common...
The air filter is clogged with fine dust. The owner said it has not been serviced since he bought it (he is a reseller so he hasn't used it)

Since this tractor was equipped with turf tires (the rears look brand new, the fronts show some wear maybe 1/2 gone) and it looks a belly mower was attached, I'm guessing this tractor spent a lot of it's life mowing.

I called Corriher and got a price of approx 15,000 for a new TC34 with hydro.

I'm not 100% on the turf tires. I think the turfs use a smaller dia wheel because this tractor sits very low. Compared to a TC33 with ag tires, this TC33 looks like a much smaller tractor. I want to add a FEL and I don't know if the turfs will work well in Carolina clay. I need to get an idea what the cost of industrial lug tires would run.

dqdave1 · Jan 21, 2007

Front turfs will wear faster than rears; actually, front tires on 4 wd units wear quicker always. I have 1285 hours on my TC 29. Turfs with 68" bucket. Turfs "squat" quite a bit when bucket is loaded. I opted for turfs do to I use it on customers yards doing light excavating ( woods 7500 bh) I go on many "nice" yards. Turfs will not tear it up as much; if you do spin, they do not dig on sod. Are they as good as industrials; no. will they get the job done; yes. Tilt and teloscopic steering wheel cylinder is a known problem; tilt may be able to be fixed to work again ( wd-40 etc) teloscopic is another story; mine froze and does not work today. If it mowed alot; air filter would be coated; did you check both air filters; there is an outer one and after you pull it; there is a inner one about 3 inches in diameter; that one should be clean. Turf tires sizes are 23 x 8.50 -14 front and 13.6 -16 rears; industrial size is 25 x 8.50 -14 fronts and 15-19.50 rears. Front rims would work for both. My rears are filled; I have never been stuck to the point where the fel or BH couldn't get me out. Would I by industrials next time; maybe. Would turfs keep me from buying a good tractor at a good price? NO!

Dafixer · Jan 26, 2007

Yet another update and probably the last one in this tread...

I went ahead and bought the tractor. I was able to talk the guy down a little...

Now I need to pick out a FEL!!

edited to add: Thanks to everybody for all your help and advice. Y'all made a new guy feel welcome!!!

JSUnlimited · Jan 26, 2007

Congrats on your new toy...I mean, tool!

jbrumberg · Jan 26, 2007

Dafixer said:
Yet another update and probably the last one in this tread...

I went ahead and bought the tractor. I was able to talk the guy down a little...

Now I need to pick out a FEL!!

edited to add: Thanks to everybody for all your help and advice. Y'all made a new guy feel welcome!!!

Dafixer:

Congradulations on your purchase. Welcome to the owners' club. Keep the questions coming

! Now we can help you spend your hard earned money on attachments

. Jay