New TC40 owner

Anonymous Poster · Feb 17, 2003

Thanks to everyone out there that has taken the time to answer the questions that I (and others) have had. After researching until I just couldn't take it anymore, I bit the bullet today and bought a TC40. Here is what I ended up with

TC40 (folding ROPS and quick-attach 3 point hitch options)
4WD, industrial tires
16LA loader with quick attach plate and quick attach 60" bucket
6' heavy duty box blade

Total price $19,300

I had narrowed it down to the Century 3045 with a C40 loader and this TC40. The deciding factor was that the seat on the TC40 had better adjustment for the vertically challenged (the wife is 5' 2"!!).

Unfortunately, the loader had to be put on the tractor, so I won't get it until Saturday. The dealer will have it ready tomorrow, but I have a tough schedule this week.

I think I will be happy with the tractor, and I can't wait to put it to work. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks again for all the help.

Tim

Pacesetter300 · Feb 17, 2003

Great choice Tim, I hope you're happy with it. Please keep us posted on your adventures with your new baby! Also, thanks for the input you gave me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Pacesetter

thcri · Feb 17, 2003

Pharmboy,

I think you got a good price there. Not sure about transmission or if you got supersteer.

I paid 19,500 for the following,

TC29D
914A 72" MMM
7308 FEL with a 60" bucket
Super Steer
Hydro Tranny
Industrial Tires
Sales Tax
Delivery

Anonymous Poster · Feb 17, 2003

thcri,

I didn't get the supersteer or the hydro tranny. I have been working with a much older tractor, so the step up to the 12/12 manual with a shuttle shift is like driving a caddy!! I think the supersteer would have been pretty nice, but I don't think it would be worth the extra investment for what I'll be using it for.

Pacesetter,

I hope my experience helps out. It is tough to pick the right tractor, but I feel pretty confident that I made the right choice.

Now it is time to get down to some serious fun, I mean work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My wife has already asked me if I will be spending more time with the new tractor than with her. I'm suprised she even has to ask. Let's see, how many hours of daylight vs. dark are there right now? Wait a minute, how well do those lights work anyway?

We just built a house, so I have tons of landscaping work to do. I also have a 4-5 acre enclosure to fence, so it will be more work than play.

Thanks again. I'll update on how she handles after I get a chance to log a few hours on her!!

thcri · Feb 18, 2003

Pharmboy,

Supersteer is only good if you do a lot of mowing. I mostly use mine for mowing and love it. You have to be careful with it. If you turn the wheel too fast it will start to rip things up. If you gradually turn your steering wheel it will do a nice job. But for mostly doing landscaping and things like that you won't like it. Especially using the bucket it takes some getting use to. You turn to the right, the bucket moves to the left. Just kind of weird.

Anyway I was only asking for double checking your price. I think you got a good deal. Tell your wife everyone here on TBN says you riped the dealer off. That way she will feel better about your investment. And with lights, you will spend more time on the tractor. I always tell me wife, my best work is done in the dark.

Murph

Anonymous Poster · Feb 18, 2003

Murph,

I had heard that the supersteer takes a little getting used to. If I can somehow manage it later, I would like to get a smaller tractor for close quarters yard work. I haven't mentioned that to the wife yet. I'll have to make sure I do some of my best work first and let her warm up to the benefits of a tractor with a belly mower and supersteer!!

I was tempted to take off work early today and pick up the tractor, but unfortunately we were pretty swamped and I just couldn't manage it. I guess I can make it 3 more days without her. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

thcri · Feb 18, 2003

Pharmboy,

Supersteer only comes in 25hp and larger tractors. I wanted it in my TC21D but couldn't get it. When I traded for my TC29D I was able to get it. I love it for mowing around the yard. As far as bucket work, you do have to get use to it and then you will do just fine with it.

murph

buckeye · Feb 19, 2003

Congratulations on your new setup. Your setup is axactly what we have, with the exception of the boxblade. I think you'll find you made an excellent choice. I would make it again without hesitation.

Hoeman00 · Feb 19, 2003

Buckeye u need to fix your signiture w/ new code for colors.
If u need to see it do a reply and click on the color.
Got to keep the Bucs red .

Anonymous Poster · Feb 21, 2003

Buckeye,

How long have you had your TC40? They claim that they are pretty easy on fuel, have you found that to be true?

Pacesetter,

Man, you were right. My honeydo list is getting longer by the day. I am already slotted to put in a rock garden and increase the size of the backyard. I haven't even picked up the tractor yet.

I pick her up tomorrow and as luck would have it, it is supposed to rain most of the weekend. It may even snow again Sunday or Monday. I guess I'll be forced to try it out in the rain if it isn't coming down too hard!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Pacesetter300 · Feb 21, 2003

Told Ya! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I don't know how many people get to see the Red Green show on PBS. It is up the alley of everyone on this forum. One of his favorite sayings is " Remember Guys, we're all in this together!" in reference to the guys vs gals.
I echo the sentiment.
If I were on my new tractor tomorrow, I would say "rain? what rain? are you sure?? I don't feel a drop!" You only get one second chance to be a kid again - enjoy!
Pacesetter

Bird · Feb 21, 2003

( it is supposed to rain most of the weekend )

Probably will, too, in Missouri since we had light to moderate rain nearly all the time yesterday and today.

jinman · Feb 22, 2003

Hey Pharmboy, congratulations on your TC40. It sounds like you made choices based on "need-to-have" rather than "nice-to-have." I'm sure you will enjoy your tractor and get lots of landscaping done. I've also just recently finished my house and I'm still doing landscaping. My TC45D is definitely my "buddy" for lots of jobs. I am curious about one choice you made on your tractor. Your boxblade is 6' wide, but your loader bucket is only 60". I'm curious about that since my bucket is 72" and I thought that was the standard width on a Class III Boomer. I'm not sure 60" will cover the front wheels when back dragging, but I am sure you will have no trouble pushing that size bucket into a dirt pile. Since you have the quick-attach loader, you could always trade up if you need to. Good luck with your delivery. I hope the weather holds up for you. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Anonymous Poster · Feb 22, 2003

jinman,

I tried to be practical about the tractor use and the need to have goodies. Since a tractor is such a practical purchase (I made sure I stressed that point to justify the it), the little extras didn't seem to be significant enough to special order the tractor. The dealer had 2 of the TC40's with the gear drive and the only D version was a TC35D. He says in our area they sell 10 gear drive for every hydro. The same situation with the 60 inch bucket. I really wanted a 72", but he had a 16LA in stock with the 60".

I figured he wanted to turn over inventory almost as badly as I wanted the tractor, so I just dealt with him on what he had in stock.

I do think the bigger bucket will be on the list on upgrades when I get serious about the landscaping in the spring. I went down to the creek and picked up a load of gravel as soon as I got her home. It sure is going to take some time to fix the driveway bringing up a bucket at a time (creek is about 1/2 mile from the house).

It is raining like crazy here, but I still managed to log 2 hours on her this morning. It was too muddy to do much, but I just had to try her out a little!! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Tim

jinman · Feb 23, 2003

It sure is going to take some time to fix the driveway bringing up a bucket at a time (creek is about 1/2 mile from the house).


We all discover quickly that or little tractors are far superior to a wheelbarrow, yet very inferior to a dump truck. I try to limit my material hauling to 500' or less for repetitive trips. My land is sloping and I've built several terraces, but on all of these my dirt has come from 100' to 200' away. I can sure sympathize with you about the half-mile trip, but after justifying your new tractor purchase, you might have a tough time convincing your wife that you need a dump truck too. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

buckeye · Feb 23, 2003

I've had the setup described since last June. The tractor seems to sip the fuel. I've never really tried to track fuel usage since I try to fill the tank immediately after use to prevent condensation in the evening. I'll guess I'll try to track it more closely this year, but it seemed so small to me I never really gave it a second thought.

The one thing I would add to your list, would be some ballast system for the back end while using the loader. Right now I use one of my mowers, but I'm fixin' to either make a ballast box or find one at a sale or something.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 28, 2003

buckeye,

I found out what you were getting at the other day. Since we built a new house this past year, there is a lot of work to be done. I am currently bringing gravel in from the creek to cover the clay driveway. After a few trial runs, I managed to pick up a really full bucket of gravel. Even with the box blade on the 3 point, it pick the back tires up for a second. I am going to have some fluid put in them when it goes in for the 50 hour service.

Now on to the good part. I love this little tractor. I am still learning the control locations, but overall it is set up very nice. The only problem that I have had, is that it keeps doing what I tell it now instead of what I want it to.

I guess I'll have to practice this weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

jinman · Mar 1, 2003

Tim, until you get that ballast in your tires, keep your bucket low and your hand on the joystick, ready to drop the bucket to the ground. I routinely get "light in the rear" with my tractor since I don't have ballast in my tires. In the attachment, I was moving dirt on a sloping hillside from the excavation for my new house. By keeping the bucket low, I had no problem. Just remember that ballast is going to add a lot of total weight to your tractor. In my case, I would overload my trailer if I added ballast. ...just a thought.

thcri · Mar 1, 2003

Nice pic Jinman,

Being on the side hill like that with a loader is dangerous. Yes keep your hands on that joystick. I had a TC21D at first and on myside hill I couldn't lift the bucket with any weight. It would only bring the back tires up even with tire weights. If I could get the bucket up by taking smaller loads then if I turned the steering wheel the tractor would tip to one side. I sure am glad I got a bigger tractor.

Murph

Anonymous Poster · Mar 1, 2003

Murph,

My Ford 1220 is similar to the TC21 and I use a TSC carryall with a wood box 48" across filled with cinder blocks for rear ballast. (rear tires are not loaded) Makes a world of difference in stability not only front to back but side to side....