She called my bluff!

[SacandagaBrad]

So there I was having coffee with my wife on Saturday, talking about this and that and how much easier some tasks would be if I only had the tractor I wanted. Her response - "rather than keep complaining about not having one, why don't you just get the one you want? The car payments are almost over for a while, now would be a good time. I could mow with that tractor, right?" /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I decided on a TC24D quite a while ago thanks to input here at TBN, plan to equip it with a 12LA FEL, 60" MMM, 6' back blade, and a 52" snow blower for the rear. Block heater and chains a must as well. Getting the clearance from the control tower, I sort of made the purchase in my mind (nothing on paper yet!). And without spending a dime, I am already having second thoughts (buyers's remorse?/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif) and re-thinking the TC-18 if they are still available. Here is the main concern - will the 18 have enough HP to run the snowblower through 18" of snow. All other features are about the same on the 18 and 24 if I read it correctly, same lift height and weight capacity on the FEL and 3PH, almost the same footprint, the 24 is only 300 pounds heavier, and they run comparable implements. I have also noticed the TC18 does not have a control on the rate of drop for the 3PH. The cost difference is about $2200 (15%) in my area, with only $300 separating the TC21D and the TC24D. I know the "D" in TC24D gets me some other goodies as well, but other than the wrap around headlights, they are not readily apparent while kicking the tires at the dealer.

I have even re-thought that maybe I don't need one at all considering the cost. Then I think back to last winter trying to keep my 150 yard private road plus the driveway clear with my two old gravelys without hydraulic lift. Sore shoulder. I think about moving the docks in and out of the lake by hand. Sore back. I think about trying to launch the boats with the gravely. Stuck. Landscaping projects. Road maintenance. Etc, etc, etc.

My only real question is whether or not the TC18 will blow snow with a 52" on the back, at a decent pace to clear a road. I look forward to hearing back from anyone with experience on either the 18 or the 24.

Thanks for being my sounding board. It is good therapy for a rather nerve racking process.

Brad

 

[Inspector507]

I have a TC18 and would have prefered the TC24 if I had the funds...... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[spencer200]

If you have the fund buy the TC24 you will be much happier with the extra horse power in 18" of snow, and with the 60" deck performance.

 

[hazmat]

<font color="blue">I have a TC18 and would have prefered the TC24 if I had the funds...... </font>

I have a TC18 & would have bought the TC24 if it was available when I purchased (May '02). I couldn't justify the $2K for a TC21D vs the 18, but $2,200 more for 6 extra HP is worth it. Lets see 15% more $$$ for 33% more HP.

I have the 60"MMM and when I let the grass grow for 3 weeks while on vacation, I had to mow real slow to bring it back under control. sure would have liked the extra HP then. I've only used it to plow snow, not blow & I ran out of traction before HP then. Chains are a must for hills.

Let us know what you decide & how you like your new tractor.

 

[thcri]

Brad,

I had a TC21D with a 60"MMM. On the hills it definately bogged the tractor down some. So the 18 if you have hills would bogg even more. On the flats it handled it just fine.

Did the 18 have the Hydro that the 24D does have?? If not that is where the major difference would be in the price.

My philosophy that I didn't follow is, "Decide what class tractor you want then buy the largest HP in that class."

Check with some of the dealers for snow blowers and see what PTO Horsepower they recommend. New Holland does show a 51" for the 18 to 24 and a 63" for the 21 and 24.

If your looking to keep the price down, check out the TC30. I was told by my dealer that it would be cheaper than the 24D???? (Yes losing the Hydro)I put lots of question marks behind that one because I only going by heresay and never really checked it out.

murph

 

[jwstewar]

I have the 24D w/ the 60" MMM rear-discharge mower and the 12LA loader. I absolutely love the tractor and loader. As done everything I've asked of it. I love the mower deck when everything is absolutely dry and not wet, but I hate it when the grass is a little too tall (like now where I've been trying to concentrate on the pole barn) or wet. It leaves some pretty nasty chunks of grass. See this thread: Had it 2 months considering trading . I have 7.68 acres that is pretty flat, but probably an acre or 2 of it is pretty rough and gets a lot of run off and I have used the little 4' KK rotary cutter over cutting down stuff probably 2" w/o every bogging the tractor or even breaking a shear pin. The hydro sure is nice to ease into some unknown territory when 'hoggin'. I've never actually heard anybody talk about that aspect of the hydro.

I'm not saying the 18 won't do what you want, but I wouldn't have wanted any less HP either.

Take a look at the attached pic to see what it can pull /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If your looking to keep the price down, check out the TC30. I was told by my dealer that it would be cheaper than the 24D???? (Yes losing the Hydro) )</font>

You don't have to lose the hydro with the TC30. You can get it with HST. I'm not sure who else has one, but I know that MrWurm does.

 

[jwstewar]

When I was looking to buy the TC30 w/ hydro was only about $500 more than the 24D. I just liked the 24D/12LA combo better for my needs.

 

[Golfgar4]

Hi Jim /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The TC30 is a nice machine, but as you found out, it may not be for everyone. I don't know off the top of my head what the specs for the TC30 are in comparison to the 24, or any other tractor for that matter. I think that the TC30 does not have the lift capability on the 3 pt that some of the others have. And I think that the loader isn't as strong as the Boomer's loaders are. I could be wrong. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I just wanted Brad to know that the TC30 is available with a hydro in case he wanted to check it out. I've always liked the TC30. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[thcri]

Yes you can get the Hydro on the TC30. I guess what I was looking at was the dollars. Maybve somewhat of a trade off, no hydro but 6 more HP and less dollars.

The TC30 still has the 7308 loader also which does not have the lift capacity it should have. The 7308 is the only loader for the TC29D and the 33D yet. The new LA series is not available for them yet.

murph

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I have a TC24D HST and love the thing. I did not consider the 18 or the 21 for one simple reason, they are the same size tractor with less power. RARELY do you wish you had LESS power. The TC24D has become my favorite tractor (I have 4), it is a great size, in between the little sub-compacts and the next frame size up. It gets into places other tractors don't fit into. It has plenty of power for its size. It is a great mowing machine and still has the power to work on a rock pile or dig in a ditch.

Now if only the TC 24D had a cup holder!!!

 

[Mrwurm]

Murph, agreed, the 7308 should have more capacity, but I would guess that it is still stronger than the 12LA. I easily pickup a 1,000 lbs with my 7308. What's the spec on the 12LA ?

Also, the TC30 uses all the same mowers, blades, and blowers available for the TC29 and TC33.

My TC30 hydro is a no-frills workhorse. Lots of power for the $$$

 

[Inspector507]

12LA has a capacity of 1090lbs at the bucket pivot per NH

 

[rdam]

You do get a lot of bang for the buck with a TC30. 1636 pounds lift capacity on the 3PH. A 9x3 standard transmission. Tilt up hood. 2 or 4 wheel drive. And I think this tractor has been around for awhile as in all the bugs have been worked out (From the Ford days I think)

Can be had for appx $10,800 in 4WD with R4's. Under $14,000 with a NH loader.

 

[rdam]

The TC30 literature says the 7308 loader has a lift capacity of 875 lbs

 

[thcri]

I could be wrong, but I was on the understanding the 12LA did have more lift capacity than the 7308. I thought it was around 200lbs more and it is more of an axle thing on the 29 and 33's. The 30 may have a stronger axle to handle more wieght? I am just not sure though and don't have the information available right now.

The 30 even with hydro is a no frills rig and a good one and was just thinking a guy could get more horsepower for less money as a trade off.

murph

 

[Mrwurm]

Ok, It just seemed to me that a class 1 tractor would have a lower capacity loader. I am pleasantly surprised that the 12LA is that strong.

 

[SacandagaBrad]

Murph,

Yes, the TC18 price included HSD. Couldn't live without it, or at least my knee couldn't. The difference was $2200 at one dealer and $2175 at another.

Now I have been following the thread under general discussions/owning and operating regarding the TC24 not being a good buy. LAGEORGE has followed up with some disturbing info after talking to NH pertaining to problems with the fuel tanks, specifically in the TC24Ds. Sure sounds like he has had a rough go with the tractor and has me wondering. Has anyone else been having problems after racking up some hours?

The main advantage with the NH that had me ready to go was the 85" reach with the FEL compared to 69" with Kubota. I have applications in mind where that extra 15" will be very useful. I also plan to have this tractor a long time and am not absolutely set on NH. Maybe I should start over. First round of comparisons for me included the B7500 (no position control, which I wanted) and the TC21. Now that I am into the 24 hp class, I think I will check around one more time. I tried out a used B2410 with 96 hours and found it to be a strong and easy handling machine. Kinda wish I bought it. The price was fair and I found out the balance of the warranty transfered since he was the original owner. Snooze, you loose!

My confusion continues, but I'm learning a lot and having fun in the process.

Brad

 

[hazmat]

I've had 1 minor problem with my TC18. Slight leak in the rear end. Dealer came out & fixed it under warranty. Almost 200 hours on my TC18.

You are right to be concerned after reading LAGEORGE's problems. I think you should mention them to your dealer & ask what actions he will take to ensure you are a happy customer. Ie check the problem areas out before delivery, offer free pickup for warranty work, that sort of thing.

If you like the specs on the TC24, then buy it! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif (Assuming the dealer gives you satisfactory answers to the above question).

If you want to shop further, check out the Deere 4115, it should spec pretty close to the TC24D.

Happy shopping.

 

[shoppintractors]

New Holland is putting out some conflicting numbers as far as the 12LA loader lift capacity. In the TC24D Sales brochure that I have, it says the 12LA loader has an impressive 750-pound lift capacity.

The New Holland web site does say 1090 lbs at the bucket pivot. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Don