Tc24d Tippy?

rockquarry · Mar 2, 2004

HI all still trying to decide on the tractor for me. considered a tc30 with rhino loader but nothiced that a tc24d fit 12la loader has the same lifting capacity as rhino. im gonna use it primarilly for moving a lot of limestone rock around for lanscappinf the firts year then for gernearl maint around property. i have a 500ft gravel drive with a pretty good slope and curve at one end and lots of elevation change around the property. anyone know of a brush cutter that the 24 can run and still cut 1"to1.5" thick brush? oh and is the 24 tippy with weight in the bucket since its such a narrow tractor?

jwstewar · Mar 2, 2004

I have a 24D with a 4' KK rotary cutter. I've had it about 7 months or so. I've knocked quite a few things down with it that I probably shouldn't have, but it didn't hestitate to go at it. When I knew I was going at something bigger though I typically went at it pretty slow usually in reverse as the way the area I was clearing is configured I don't get to do a lot of forward hoggin'. As far as being tippy I haven't really noticed. I don't have any weights on/in the tires and I haven't tried moving the tires around to see if it would make it any wider. I don't have a tiltmeter on it to see how far I really am pushing it, but it made me pucker even though the tractor didn't even seem like it was tippy.

jimg · Mar 2, 2004

Cant say about the brush cutter as I dont own one. As for being tippy, yes it can be. My tires are loaded and w/ the heaviest implement (finish mower) on the back moving a large load of sand/gravel can be tenuous. Anymore I don't fill to capacity as its just too much for the tractor to handle on my hills (some steep). Compared to other buckets the one on the 24 seems large. So, while a load can be safe w/i the spec, moving it safely from A to B might not be. At any rate keep the load as low as possible and go slow. If youre running up and down steep hills don't load up too much.

rockquarry · Mar 2, 2004

the rock i have to move is way way to big ( some as large as 3000lbs) I am going to find a hammer drill and some stone tools to turn these big rocks into more managable size blocks. I dont mind doing it one at a time. I guess my concern is one, wrecking the pto(clutch or what ever it is in there) by trying to cut to thick of brush or using to big of cutter. what model# is your kk cutter? and I really dont see my wife wanting to run the loader( she doesnt even like riding my fourwheeler up hills with me) but if she did ever drive it do i really need to worry about her tipping it over with an empty bucket if she does something wrong. I dont think she would even drive the bigger tc30 because of its size but would like to get her to try do use this tractor just so she knows how to use it.

jimg · Mar 2, 2004

I've moved rock w/ my 24 as well and thats not as exciting. When moving something small like sand and gravel you can overfill in a hurry. W/ rock theres much dead space between pieces. Just be careful not to over load it and then try going down a hill.

Like I said I dont have a brush cutter....only a finish mower which can bog down pretty quick in heavy long grass.

rockquarry · Mar 2, 2004

Ok on the subject of going up and down hills with a load, which way is best do you want most of the load on the up hill end? so if i had like 500lbs in the bucket and say a 300+lbs box blade on the rear should the back down the hill ot drive down it forward?

sorry to be such a rookie at this but i would rather know the better way of doing things rather than go out and tear up equipment and possibly get hurt

just so you know i found out on the net that limestone weighs 163lbs per cubic foot and closer to 100lbs in gravel form by cu. ft

jimg · Mar 2, 2004

I go down front ways w/ the load as low as possible. I wouldnt want to go down backwards for sure. Id start w/ small loads to see how they handle . You can always add more later. Realizing the load is too heavy in the middle of the hill isnt what you want to do. Its best to try your machine and yourself out a bit at a time so you dont find yourself in over your head.

SacandagaBrad · Mar 2, 2004

I started out with my TC24D without loaded tires. That didn't last long. The 12LA loader has a lot of power for the size tractor it is connected, in my opinion anyway. Make sure you have some ballast. And I do think the tractor is tippy to a degree. The other thing that I haven't seen mentioned here but was discussed a few months ago, always be ready to dump it in a hurry if you have to. I have done some heavy lifting with mine and got in the habit of keeping my hand on the controls and keeping the load low, even if it dragged once in a while. I've even practiced dumping it.

I try to keep it slow and low, and use some common sense. Always remember on a hill, once those back wheels lose traction, the brake are gone unless you're in 4 wheel drive. That's the point you would be real happy to have the load low or even be able to dump it.

Good luck.

Brad

Rodney · Mar 3, 2004

The 4' cutter from Rural king (Wallace manufacturing) can handle the 1 to 1.5" stuff. Mine works well. The 4' looks better made than the 5'.

jimg · Mar 3, 2004

Brad,
"The 12LA loader has a lot of power for the size tractor it is connected, in my opinion anyway."
I agree...it can pick up much more than the tractor can handle safely in certain situations. Its not a problem in level areas but can quickly become exciting on hills and uneven ground. Good advice on keeping the load low, going slow and using common sense!!