NH ???? to replace Ford 5600

[klw5600]

I moved out to some Tennessee farmland a few years back and a Ford 5600 came with the place we bought. It's a great tractor in my opinion but seriously showing it's age. I don't want to depend on it as my only tractor any more. Also, there is no ROPS and no cab. So, I'm looking for a new tractor, and with a cab. Planning to take the 5600 out of service when I get a new tractor and have it fixed up in the shop for a second tractor. From where I live there are 3 NH dealerships which have treated me well, so I am planning to stay with NH, although I would consider other options. The local dealers have encouraged me to look at the TD5050, which I would outfit with a loader. I think the price will be in the mid 40,000, which is about all I would want to spend. One dealer also has a left over TN70DA which has been sitting around in another state, but appears new. It has a 16x16 trans. with a mechanical clutch and shuttle. It must have had a loader at one time because the controls are on the inside, but no loader outside. He wants to work up a price for me with a loader and tells me it should be a better price since that model was discontinued. (no quote yet) The specs for the TN70DA seem a rough equivalent to my 5600. Anyone have opinions about these tractors?

I have 117 acres, much of which is in timber. I have about 40 which is currently leased out for row crops. I use the 5600 for mowing, bush-hogging, and box blade work. I have also used it for pulling a small disk and a 4 bladed breaking plow. I have plans to eventually take the row crop area out of lease and put it in hay- round bales.

I think what I would love to have would be a new T4050 with a nice cab and a loader, but I think I wouldn't like the price quote on that one.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[Soundguy]

I think that tn70 may be right up your alley size wise.

what's wrong with the 5600 that you think it's going to suddenly fail.. that's a darn good machine.. great history leading back to the 5000.

ps.. you can get a rops for that 5600...

soundguy

 

[klw5600]

There's a list of problems with the 5600 I have, none of them critical I suppose. The latest thing to crop up is what seems to be a leak in the steering system. It's a slow leak, I think. The fuel injector has a leak as well, probably needs rebuilt. If either of those systems goes, it might be a big problem. Next is the electrical system- neither the fuel gauge nor the coolant temp gauge work (really need that temp gauge fixed). The starter works 80% of the time, otherwise I get a "click" sound which may repeat several times before the starter gets going. There are no lights (or wires for lights), which means I'm out of business past dusk, which is a nice time to mow compared to noon. I've been inches away from having ROPS installed, and I will probably do that, and put a sunshade on the bar. There's a slow oil leak near the head gasket I've been watching for now. The clutch started slipping last summer, but only under heavy load when hot. I haven't decided yet if the clutch system has to be rebuilt. Probably does. It (whole tractor) has 4400+ hours on it. There are other issues, but they are pretty much cosmetic and I can ignore them. But I'm not trading it in, and it will go to the shop for some of this work if I get a new tractor. If nothing else, I'm fond of it.

Beyond that, I have some allergies and I want a cab. My lower lying fields get wet often in the winter and fwd sure would be helpful. So would a loader. The dealer selling the TN70DA with loader quotes me a price of 37700 at present- quite a bit less than the TD5050 (also with fwd and loader). He's going to work up a price for a newer T4000 series tractor for me to compare to.

 

[RickB]

I highly recommend the TN70DA. I most certainly would not pay more for a TD5050 than the TN. It sounds as if a little TLC for the 5600 will make it a nice 2ND unit. Don't discount the option of replacing both the front and rear main wiring harnesses. It will probably save you a bunch of aggrivation over the long haul.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with rick.. a little tlc on that 5600 and it will be a great backup.

adding lamps is easy.. even if you wire it up yourself. Have you adjusted the clutch?

good luck on the purchase.

soudnguy

There's a list of problems with the 5600 I have, none of them critical I suppose. The latest thing to crop up is what seems to be a leak in the steering system. It's a slow leak, I think. The fuel injector has a leak as well, probably needs rebuilt. If either of those systems goes, it might be a big problem. Next is the electrical system- neither the fuel gauge nor the coolant temp gauge work (really need that temp gauge fixed). The starter works 80% of the time, otherwise I get a "click" sound which may repeat several times before the starter gets going. There are no lights (or wires for lights), which means I'm out of business past dusk, which is a nice time to mow compared to noon. I've been inches away from having ROPS installed, and I will probably do that, and put a sunshade on the bar. There's a slow oil leak near the head gasket I've been watching for now. The clutch started slipping last summer, but only under heavy load when hot. I haven't decided yet if the clutch system has to be rebuilt. Probably does. It (whole tractor) has 4400+ hours on it. There are other issues, but they are pretty much cosmetic and I can ignore them. But I'm not trading it in, and it will go to the shop for some of this work if I get a new tractor. If nothing else, I'm fond of it.

Beyond that, I have some allergies and I want a cab. My lower lying fields get wet often in the winter and fwd sure would be helpful. So would a loader. The dealer selling the TN70DA with loader quotes me a price of 37700 at present- quite a bit less than the TD5050 (also with fwd and loader). He's going to work up a price for a newer T4000 series tractor for me to compare to.

 

[klw5600]

Soundguy- funny you should say that. I have a box of lights just for the 5600 sitting in the shed. I got sidetracked on the lighting project when I figured out how bad the wiring is. Replacing both harnesses is a good idea. I have not tried to adjust the clutch. That is a good idea too. If it starts slipping again I may try that, although right now I have no idea how. Maybe the book I have on it will explain how.

The little I've found on the TD5050 here on the forums is making me cautious of that model tractor. People seem happy with the TN series. Friends of mine here have been trying to steer me toward Kubota, too. I haven't talked to that dealership yet, but hear good things about them. The 3rd NH dealership in the area also carries Case. I'm not familiar with Case except it appears they are largely the same tractor as NH now? Guess everything has gone global now. I should probably at least see what they have on the lot.

 

[Soundguy]

check yer service manual on clutch adjustment.

soundguy

 

[RickB]

My main gripe about Kubota is that on most models even the most rudimentary service procedures are difficult due to design characteristics.

 

[klw5600]

Checked out the local NH and Case dealer- seems to have all Case now. Has a nice Case Farmall 80 that seems similar to the TN70DA, at least superficially. I'm trying to learn more about the Case Farmall line before I decide. However, I can get a better price for the TN70DA, since it is a discontinued model. There's only one hydraulic hookup on the back (all I've needed so far is one) I wonder how hard it is to add one? I think I'll ask at the dealership. Overall I think I am getting ready to move on the TN70- he has a loader in stock for it, so no waiting there. The cab has everything I could want- dust filtration, AC, Heater, AM/FM CD player, etc. The tractor is not physically very big, which will probably help when I use it to mow. (I mow our yard with the 5600 pulling a Land Pride "All Flex" finish mower- three floating decks totaling 14 feet wide- I figure the TN will be maneuverable enough to continue this practice). Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[RickB]

Adding one or two more rear remote valves to a TN is no big deal. I have added valves to several TN's at owner's locations using tools I typically carry on the service truck.

Does this TN already have the midmount valve and joystick that will control the loader?

 

[klw5600]

RickB-
All I know at this point is that the joystick is installed. I'll have to check on the midmount valve. I meant to look for it last time I was out there. Might check today.

 

[klw5600]

The tractor does have the hydraulic under the cab for the loader. I checked it out again today after paying a visit to one last dealership (Kubota). After looking things over in this area of Tennessee it became clear that I couldn't beat the deal on the TN70DA so I went ahead and bought it! Test drive went well except for one hiccup- the A/C didn't work. I have confidence that they will fix that problem this week as they are getting the tractor ready for delivery. It made me wonder if they are shipped uncharged, or something. (seems weird, but possible). I expect they will deliver it later this week or early next week. They have to fix the A/C, install the loader, and generally clean it up and check it out. First NEW tractor for me- I'm pretty excited.

 

[RickB]

Air conditioners are shipped from the factory fully functional. Find out what they do to fix it. Be sure that if the system needs charging, they do a proper leak detection, find and fix the cause of any leak. The number of tractors shipped undercharged without any system leaks is considerably smaller than those shipped with a leaking o-ring or such. That said, the A/C systems have improved markedly since TN's were introduced almost 10 years ago.

 

[klw5600]

Had a phone call from the dealership today to update me on the progress with the TN70DA I bought from them. They are hoping to deliver the tractor tomorrow, having finished putting the loader on today. The dealer told me that they replaced the A/C condenser to fix the air conditioning. It's nice to know they didn't just charge the system and go. I think they are a little ambitious to plan to deliver it tomorrow, even though they said this week. I expected next week, because that's how things so often go. It's always a little more complex in implementation rather than planning, no matter what it is! But if they do I'll post back this weekend, maybe with pictures..

 

[RickB]

Remember that the last thing a dealer wants to do is postpone a delivery to a customer that may not be as understanding as you are about the possibility of a delay. Attempting to explain an unfulfilled expectation is never pleasant.

 

[klw5600]

The tractor was delivered Friday evening, all set except for one minor problem they let me know about before delivery- the fuel level sender seems to have an intermittent fault and does not show any fuel is in the tank. They let me know they had already ordered parts and would set up a pick-up date to fix this problem in the weeks to come. That was fine with me.

The is a great tractor! I've been using it every day putting it through it's paces. Spent a lot of time bush-hogging, which is a novel experience for me in an air conditioned cab. Used the loader some, and did some finish mowing. I've been trying to chase down the right point to hit with silicone spray on the clutch pedal, since it squeaks really loud when pressed down. I'm also going to ask if there's a way to decrease the speed hat the loader lowers, which seems too fast to me. Minor issues.

I'm trying to attach an image of the tractor, taken after bush-hogging. If it comes through, you'll notice the brown material sucked up against the air intake screens- it's pollen and seeds. Not a speck on me, however.

By the way, does anyone know why the manual tells me to idle the engine at 1000 rpm for three minutes prior to shutdown? I think it has something to do with the turbo, but I don't understand it.

 

[dgl24087]

I'm thinking it's to allow the turbo to cool down.

 

[Soundguy]

turbo would be a good choice.. same with allowing to warm up for hyd components.. my nh7610s has a sticker on the dash telling you to warm at idle, and cool at idle before/after work for hydro and turbo health.. etc.

soundguy

 

[wedge40]

Mind if I ask how much that thing set you back? Even ball park would be nice?

Wedge

 

[klw5600]

Wedge- about 35K. Seemed high to me until I started checking around the local dealers. Supposedly since the TN series has been replaced by the 4000 series, the TN was 'cheaper'. Certainly seemed to be compared to ordering a new 4000 series comparably equipped. That price is as pictured, cab A/C, loader with quick release bucket, 4wd, manual 16x16 trans. And a Panasonic stereo, AM/FM cd/mp3 disk player, with weather band, and sat radio ready (a better unit than I have in my car!)