TC33D or TC35D

[npalomba]

Ok, here we go again. I went to the local NH dealer (since I have 2 within 15 miles it's nice to be able have them compete over my business) and I desided against the 21.. Just too small and there are some nice items (refinements) in the 25/29/33 line. So, I drove one and liked it a lot. So I got pricing for the 25-33. After doing that I went to the other dealer and saw the 35. It's probally bigger than I need for my yard (almost 3 ac) but I have a lot of backhoe work, I am going to level the whole yard (lot of fill needed) and I am also going to use it for snow removel (we get quite a bit of snow here in NW connecticut).

So, my question is has anyone gone up to the 35 after looking seriously at the 33? If so why? Was it just loader weight handling? If you didn't why not?

There doesn't seem to be a huge price difference between the two models.

Thanks.

 

[jinman]

Wow!/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif From the TC21 to a TC35 is a big leap. Considering your acreage, I'd suggest that you buy the size of tractor that is best going to fit your day-in, day-out needs. I think it is a big mistake to buy a tractor based on the biggest job you would ever throw at it. If we applied that, we'd all own bulldozers and earthmovers./w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif (I'm kidding, but I hope you get my point.) I own a TC45D because I have 33 acres and do lots of dirt and brush pushing. I don't have a backhoe for it and I firmly believe in renting one when I need it. You can pay for a lot of rental hours for the $7,500 a backhoe attachment will cost you. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

So my two cents worth is, considering your needs, I'd suggest the mid-sized Boomer. The money you save can be used for some neat attachments you will surely want after you buy the tractor./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

JimI

 

[rmorgan]

I have a 33 which I got right when the 35 was coming out. The small price differential was surprising, and the larger loader seductive. However, I have never felt that I got too small a machine in the 33D. It is ample to drive a 60' rotary cutter, which I use to maintain about five acres of quasi-pasture, it is small enough to be useful for finish mowing. While it certainly takes more loads to move an equivalent amount of material, the loader has never not done what I asked of it, including moving a lot of rock and dirt. I may be wrong, but I think that for leveling you're going to use primarily a dragged implement, which the 33 is fully-capable of doing. If you're going to be adding a large amount of fill and leveling, a few hours from a guy with a dozer is going to be a lot more effective than either tractor and I'd think twice about having that be the primary driver for this decision. And the extra weight of the larger tractor, if you're planning to mow with it, is a significant factor in my view.

 

[JATO_RaT]

I would always go for the one with the bigger loader capacity. If it had a bigger loader but less HP, I'd still go for the loader. Even the TC45 is not that big, after all, these are all compact tractors. Unless your in very tight quarters, go with the largest compact you can afford, even if your acerage is not that much. Folks with many acres very rarely utilize it all. If that were the criteria, then my buddy with thousands of acres would need a Cat D10 or D11 or John Deeres 9000 series, instead he has a great "big" compact, Rat..

 

[npalomba]

Yeah, I know it's a big difference from the 21 up. I just wasn't happy looking at the 21, I'm 6 foot 1 inch and 210 lbs so the 21 was a little tight also. Sat on a 29 and it was night and day. The dealer let me park them next to each other and that was it. The 21 looked like a toy in compairson. (I know it's a very good tractor). So, I got prices on the 25-33 and for the $$ the 33 is a great deal.

So, in looking at the price difference between 33 and the 35, I was thinking that since I'm this far into it what a few more $$$.

I agree it's bigger than I need, and with the extra $$ I could get some attachments, that's probally what I am going to do.

 

[lblair]

Dont under estemate the TC21D. I have 8 ac. 4 1/2 i mow plus a pond and the rest woods. I have the FEL and 60" mid mount mower and i whip my lawn off in 2 hours and that tractor can move dirt too. Ive dug the side of a bank out and used the soil to fill low spots in my yard in no time at all. I rented a 50" tiller and post hole digger to do a garden for the inlaws and it cranked that out also. Next year im getting both the tiller and the post hole digger for myself to do my garden and farm out some jobs. Im not rippin on ya, but just letting ya know the 21D has plenty of poop to get jobs done in a timely matter. Your size may matter in the comfort of the machine. Im 5' 4" 153 lbs and the next machine up seemed to big for my bones. So kinda the opposite of the way you felt it seemd like to much machine for me. Enjoy what ya get, i know i am/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Larry

 

[npalomba]

I wasn't putting don't the 21. If you read my post, I said it looked like a toy compaired to the size of the 25 but I know it's not. Size is a big consideration since your right I am a little bigger than you and I would like a bigger loader.

Thanks for your input.

 

[DVerbarg]

A year ago I was seriously looking at and considering the TC33D, saw the TC35D, and ended up getting a TC40D. For me it was a matter of loader/lift capacity and overall frame size. I knew that I would have alot of heavy work to throw at it for a couple years and then the work load would taper off. I figured that I might sell/trade the TC40D for a smaller unit once I finish the heavier work but after getting used to the TC40D and how it handles would not seriously think about moving "down".

It seems that most tractor purchase regrets (regarding size) are that the unit was too small. There are a few exceptions but if your budget allows for the extra few dollars you would probably be more comfortable with the extra hp and/or size (comparing to the TC21D).

The biggest draw back that I've seen in the larger units is the height. This height issue has only been an issue for me while mowing around trees. Hmmm, maybe I can talk my wife into getting a TC29D for mowing, his and hers /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif!

DaveV

 

[Hawgee]

I have to agree with Dave. I have the problem in living with a couple who have always settled for less and after wrecking everything in site, go back and do it again.
I was taught to start with a good foundation before the finnished roof. We have plenty here to keep a TC35 or larger busy for some time. On the other hand, there is plenty to do that only a smaller package can do. BUT. If we started with the smaller package, it would end up on the scrap heap along with the other implements of destruction round here. I refuse to be a part of that. I can see a two fer deal like Dave. Truth is, she (my SO) swings a smaller hammer when it comes to nails. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
I wasn't taught to ride em hard and put em away wet. You said 3 acres? It's your call and your check book. The TC25, 29 and 33 all have the 800lb. loader and smaller footprint.

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

 

[npalomba]

Well, I am going back Wen after work to sit on the TC35 and drive it next to the 33 and drive both of them again. I hate this!! Or love it!!

Again, I know I am buying something bigger than my yard can hold but, I have a lot of digging (backhoe), Filling, Stumps, dirt moving and SNOW to do. And, it's also a fun new toy!! If the 35 only cost $2k more than the 33 and I get that much more lifting isn't it worth it?