New TC40DA this week

TCowner · Apr 5, 2004

After about 5 months of intense mental anguish I made the decision to trade my 2 year old TC40D with SuperSteer for the new TC40DA, again with Supersteer.

Last fall I had posted here a couple of times that my next tractor would not have supersteer but I was worried that I would not be satisfied with the greater turning radius of the regular front wheel drive axle. My dealer looked high and low for a Class III non-supersteer tractor for me to try but with no luck. The Case-IH dealers in my area just aren't very agressive in trying to sell their compacts. One dealer took nearly a month to get back to me with a trade price and another dealer never could quite find the time. Its hard to believe that a farm equipment dealership couldn't find a half hour in January and February to calculate a price.

So we will give Supersteer another two years. Either I will master its steering quirk (with the loader attached) or I will decide I'm too old (49) to learn a new way of steering but I should know for sure.

PineRidge · Apr 5, 2004

I'm curious why you traded? Did you get something that wasn't on your last rig? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

TCowner · Apr 5, 2004

The main reason I traded was due to the fact my warranty was going to expire the end of the month. I find great comfort in owning a tractor knowing that any repair will be covered by the warranty program. I have about 350 hours on my tractor.

Now of course this peace of mind comes a cost. I was able to trade for about $2800 for the tractor and loader. The bank load rate dropped from 7.9% to 5.9% so the rate reduction will go a long way to pay the cost of the trade.

I also chose this time to get a pallet fork attachment for the loader. I had a recent total knee arthroplasty and will be on a weight lifting restriction forever. Consequently, the pallet fork attachment will come in quite handy.

As I tried to tell my wife, I don't hunt, fish, bowl, golf, so my tractor is my hobby. I'm not sure she buys it but I thought it was worth a try.

PineRidge · Apr 5, 2004

Very interesting....... I would tend to agree with you in the notion that if you can afford a new tractor, and feel that you need a new tractor then why not go for it.

However in my situation, I already own a TC-40D and it is just a few months old. I'm just getting mine whipped into shape, besides my wife says that when it's time for me to die, then I will be laid to rest on my tractor. That's going to take a real deep hole! So I guess that there is absolutely no sense in worrying my dealer anytime real soon for another tractor. I don't see it in my future, no , no-sir-ree-bob.. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Maybe I can talk her into another New Holland for herself, yeah that plan might just work. Hey Junkman I need your immediate assistance........ She will listen to you.......buddy,,,, pal.. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

mahlers · Apr 5, 2004

Supersteer does take a little while to get used to... I thought I finally had it to where it was natural, and did a few "oops" maneuvers this weekend when I was using the loader to get roofing material up onto two different new (now slightly used) roofs... That loader sure does pack a whollop.

PineRidge · Apr 5, 2004

I think that the only time SuperSteer was an issue is when I first had it, and I needed to maneuver in tight quarters. Like inside a pole barn with cars real close by. It does take some getting used to but it's like working the HST pedals, after a short learning curve it quickly becomes almost second nature. I wouldn't trade mine, and with it comes SensiTrak. It's like driving so many of the SUV's made today that shift into 4 WD automatically whenever needed. Just one less thing to have to worry about doing manually. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

thcri · Apr 5, 2004

What dealer did you end up buying from?

murph

PineRidge · Apr 6, 2004

One more thought. Since you seem to rest better with a warranty did you purchase the extended warranty on your new TC-40?

TCowner · Apr 8, 2004

This is the second NewHolland I purchased from Olstad Implement in CHatfield, MN. They are great guys to deal with. They do business out of a older building so their overhead is low. That may be one reason why the are so competitive with respect to price.

With respect to the issue of the extended warranty the answer is no. I suppose one option is to purchase the extended warranty and then trade less frequently. But when I checked two years ago the warranty extension was more than a thousand dollars for two more years. At some point I probably will consider either the extra warranty or take the risk of no warranty. but for now I happen to like the new DA series.

TCowner · Apr 10, 2004

The new TC40DA was delivered yesterday. The new tractor had Galaxy industrial tires whiched looked a little "wimpy" compared to the Titans on the "old" tractor. The Titans were like new so I had the dealer switch them. It just looks better.

I have a Worksaver grapple attachment that I use for brush clearing. My old design had about 15 feet of hydraulic hose that ran from the grapple along the loader arms, under the platform, over the rear axle and attaching to the hydraulic couplers at the back of the tractor.

On the new tractor my dealer ran lines from the rear couplers to the center of the tractor where the main couplers are for the loader attachment. He then ran steel lines along the loader arms up to the front of the loader where the grapple attaches with another set of couplers. It is a very similar design that is used on skid loaders. It is extremely professional looking and easily could be mistaken for a factory option.

I no longer will have the problem of securing the 15 feet of hydraulic hose from the front to the back of the tractor.

If I can ever figure out how the wife's digital camera works I will post some pictures. I think I'm just too old for this digital age.