TC33 Inspection for Purchase

   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase #1  

Dissolute

New member
Joined
May 2, 2006
Messages
20
I have the opportunity to purchase a TC33 Tractor with FEL; a trailer, and several implements for app. $11000, and have the following questions:

1. How does one inspect this tractor for proper maintenance and/or abuse? It has 700+hours of use.

2. Specifically, how do I test the HST?

3. How large a bushhog can I pull behind this size tractor?
We have some signficant hills on our property.

4. What questions should I ask the owner?

5. Is 11K a good deal, if the tractor is in decent condition?

Thanks in advance.
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase
  • Thread Starter
#2  
I have the opportunity to purchase a TC33 Tractor with FEL; a trailer, and several implements for app. $11000, and have the following questions:

1. How does one inspect this tractor for proper maintenance and/or abuse? It has 700+hours of use.

2. Specifically, how do I test the HST?

3. How large a bushhog can I pull behind this size tractor?
We have some signficant hills on our property.

4. What questions should I ask the owner?

5. Is 11K a good deal, if the tractor is in decent condition?

Thanks in advance.
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase #3  
Wow /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif that sounds pretty expensive to me. You shouldn't buy it.....Where are you located so I can go get that deal. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Actually if the tractor is in good condition it alone is worth that much. Let alone with the loader, attachments, and trailer with it.

How to test the hydrostat? Look at the fluid and make sure it doesn't look milky or dirty. Drive the tractor make sure it will move in all ranges/speeds - both forward and reverse. Try digging the loader in to some dirt if there is a pile around that you can play with.

You said a large hill, but depending on the type of grass/weeds/stuff you will be getting I would think a 5 footer or if light stuff maybe a 6' light duty mower.
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase #4  
Wow /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif that sounds pretty expensive to me. You shouldn't buy it.....Where are you located so I can go get that deal. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Actually if the tractor is in good condition it alone is worth that much. Let alone with the loader, attachments, and trailer with it.

How to test the hydrostat? Look at the fluid and make sure it doesn't look milky or dirty. Drive the tractor make sure it will move in all ranges/speeds - both forward and reverse. Try digging the loader in to some dirt if there is a pile around that you can play with.

You said a large hill, but depending on the type of grass/weeds/stuff you will be getting I would think a 5 footer or if light stuff maybe a 6' light duty mower.
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase #5  
What year is the tractor? A trailer that will haul that tractor/loader/bush hog is a couple thousand new, the tractor new is about $18k, the loader another 3k or so. Implements are a couple hundred each minimum.

So, assuming everything is in working order, tell us where it is and we'll buy it before you get there again. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It should move forward/backward in all ranges, but the top speed is only about 10 or 12 mph. The engine shouldn't smoke when running, just a bit at start up. The loader should stay up if you park it, shut it down, and wait. Same with the rear lifts with an implement hanging on it. The controls should work smoothly, not with jerks and/or hesitation. The lights should work, although that's minor. It may be fussy about starting in gear or it may shut down if you get off the seat -- these are safety features. The brakes should work noticeably to slow it down, the left one should shut down the cruise control and the right one should not.

On a newer model, the steering wheel tilts with the lever below it, but you need to pull it toward you. Unscrewing the "horn button" in the center of the steering wheel should let you telescope the wheel to suit. The ROPS should fold without much trouble, the tires should be decent looking without major cuts. Check the area behind the battery for damage from acid, which has a nasty habit of leaving the battery on these tractors for some reason. Both PTOs (if it has a mid one) should turn in relation to engine speed -- have the seller demonstrate that they work while you stand and watch.

It should start readily, with only a little cranking (a couple of seconds, if that) after you let the glow plug indicator go off. The gauges should work, the flashers should work, the seat should not be torn up, etc.

It sounds like a great price if the thing works. You can fix a lot for just a thousand or so if it needs it and have a very good machine. 700 hours is not much at all. Go for it!
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase #6  
What year is the tractor? A trailer that will haul that tractor/loader/bush hog is a couple thousand new, the tractor new is about $18k, the loader another 3k or so. Implements are a couple hundred each minimum.

So, assuming everything is in working order, tell us where it is and we'll buy it before you get there again. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It should move forward/backward in all ranges, but the top speed is only about 10 or 12 mph. The engine shouldn't smoke when running, just a bit at start up. The loader should stay up if you park it, shut it down, and wait. Same with the rear lifts with an implement hanging on it. The controls should work smoothly, not with jerks and/or hesitation. The lights should work, although that's minor. It may be fussy about starting in gear or it may shut down if you get off the seat -- these are safety features. The brakes should work noticeably to slow it down, the left one should shut down the cruise control and the right one should not.

On a newer model, the steering wheel tilts with the lever below it, but you need to pull it toward you. Unscrewing the "horn button" in the center of the steering wheel should let you telescope the wheel to suit. The ROPS should fold without much trouble, the tires should be decent looking without major cuts. Check the area behind the battery for damage from acid, which has a nasty habit of leaving the battery on these tractors for some reason. Both PTOs (if it has a mid one) should turn in relation to engine speed -- have the seller demonstrate that they work while you stand and watch.

It should start readily, with only a little cranking (a couple of seconds, if that) after you let the glow plug indicator go off. The gauges should work, the flashers should work, the seat should not be torn up, etc.

It sounds like a great price if the thing works. You can fix a lot for just a thousand or so if it needs it and have a very good machine. 700 hours is not much at all. Go for it!
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase #7  
Dissolute,

Other posters have covered most of what to look for. My only question back to you is the TC33 model number you listed. The TC33 did not have the hydrostatic transmission available. Would have to be the TC33D...."D" for deluxe. The TC33 only came with manual 9x3 transmission. (9 forward gears, 3 reverse).

Vic
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase #8  
Dissolute,

Other posters have covered most of what to look for. My only question back to you is the TC33 model number you listed. The TC33 did not have the hydrostatic transmission available. Would have to be the TC33D...."D" for deluxe. The TC33 only came with manual 9x3 transmission. (9 forward gears, 3 reverse).

Vic
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase
  • Thread Starter
#9  
You were right. This is a straight-shift tractor. I'm a lot less excited about the deal now.

Is this still a good deal w/o the HST?
 
   / TC33 Inspection for Purchase
  • Thread Starter
#10  
You were right. This is a straight-shift tractor. I'm a lot less excited about the deal now.

Is this still a good deal w/o the HST?
 

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