TC33DA - all set up now

Buckee · Dec 13, 2004

Found a camera. This angle shows off her fearsome side - it's clear there's a horror flick in her somewhere. Anyway she works great here in the woods - grapple is great for moving old RR ties. Just wish it would stop raining here on the East Coast - the Boss is wondering why the new landscaping equipment is destroying the landscape. Guess it could have been snow...

Is it my imagination, or is the fuel fill just incredibly inconvenient with the FEL on? Also - I get dense white smoke for about 5 secs after a cold start - is this normal? Yes, I am remembering the glow plugs, throttle is about 30%.

TC33DA 4WD w/Hydrostat, R4 Tires (Filled), Grille Guard, Rear Light
14LA Loader w/Skid Steer Quick Attach
ATI Hydraulic Grapple, Tooth Bar
Rear Remote w/Hydraulic Top Link
Bush Hog SBX-600 Box Blade, 35-06 Rear Blade

Buckee · Dec 13, 2004

Sherpa - here's the grill guard you asked about. Note the quick disconnect - pull the handle & the guard swings down for full access to engine. This thing is built like a tank - note the tubing thickness.

PineRidge · Dec 13, 2004

Buckee the next time you make a trip to your local Lowe's get two packages of Hillman 1" black nylon hole plugs (2 to a package). They tap right in the open ends of the tubes on your grill guard and finish it off real nice. 79 cents per package as I remember.

bandit67 · Dec 13, 2004

( Also - I get dense white smoke for about 5 secs after a cold start - is this normal? Yes, I am remembering the glow plugs, throttle is about 30%.)

Yes, that is normal for most any diesel. At 8* below zero, my 7.3L can put out white smoke for 10 minutes. As long as the white smoke stops once the motor warms up enough, all is well.

Casimir · Dec 13, 2004

Buckee:

When I clicked on the attachment, I thought I was looking at a picture of my rig /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif -- until I noticed the tooth bar /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. That is a nice looking rig. Did you get it from Theros in Fredericksburg?

JDGREEN4ME · Dec 14, 2004

That grill guard is nicer than the sorry excuse for a guard I have on my JD! Nice looking tractor... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Buckee · Dec 15, 2004

Casimir - yes I got the TC33DA at Theros; Randolph saw me coming I think. Seriously, I'm very happy - I went in a novice & he suggested a TC30, I'm the one who spent 2 weeks devouring this forum & decided I needed more power & versatility. My major tasks are a 1200" gravel dive and 14 acres of woods logged 7 years ago - with last year's hurricane damage it's really a jungle. I decided the 33 would be small enough to maneuver in the woods but have power to skid logs up a muddy hill. Would you concur? I think I have the tools now to get it done, just need the seat time to learn the machine. Thanks for your advice - Buckee

SpotsyChris · Dec 15, 2004

Buckee, We have a TC33DA (manual trans) 4WD we bought about a month ago at Theros, also from Randolph. My wife and I (she spends as much time on the tractor as I do) were treated very well by the folks at Theros, but not too well by the " green " and " orange " tractor dealers in the area. So we went blue . We have about 35 hours on ours now and really love it. We have the 14LA front loader with Quick Attach bucket and a lot of attachments that we acquired over the past 8 years for our '47 8N Ford. Nice thing we found was the PTO shaft lengths for the 8N worked out perfect for the TC33. We have about 19 acres of land to keep up with in western Spotsylvania, just a few miles south of the Chancellorville Battlefield. We have about 10 acres of woods and 8 acres of pastures/fields to keep up with plus a half-mile gravel driveway. As much as I love the 8N, the TC33 is really great and now the 8N will get a much deserved restoration. Maybe we'll see you at the parts desk at Thero's (just keep finding new things I "have" to add to the new tractor!)
Chris /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Casimir · Dec 15, 2004

Buckee - Yep, Randolph helped me find my first tractor a couple of years ago, a Ford 1700, then got a 1520 in on trade and made me a deal on it that I couldn't pass up. He and the service department there treated me so well during the time I had the first 2 tractors, I never really considered going elsewhere when I decided to upgrade. I think the TC33DA will probably be the last tractor I buy (but who knows?).

We have 19 acres about 25 miles south of Fredericksburg in Caroline County, with about 6 or 7 of it in pasture, and the rest in previously logged woods with lots of slash to clean up. Sounds like you and SpotsyChris and I have very similar situations. The TC33DA is a perfect size and Hp for our needs. I hope you both find it the same for you. Will probably run into each other at Theros -- I still stop in to look around and pick up oil, filters, etc.

Congratulations again to both you and SpotsyChris /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

sherpa · Dec 19, 2004

Buckee
That is a serious grill guard! I never evn thought about the hood coming up and hitting the guard on my TC33D. I need to get a pic of my 8N for you guys to look at.
Sherpa