TC48DA vs. TC55DA

Tarheelman · Oct 29, 2005

Well, after flirting with the green and orange guys, I'm right back where I started, being blue. But I would appreciate any help and opinions. I narrowed my choices down to the TC48 and TC55 among three dealers, essentially all 15-20 miles away. I gotten prices for both models equipped with 18LA FEL with a 72" quick attach bucket, R-1 ag tires and 2 rear remotes. The best price I have for the 48 is $24,300 and $27,500 for the 55.

First question - are these prices in line? From reading some other threads, they appear a tad high. The second question: Is the extra horsepower worth the price? I believe the 48 will do fine for anything I want to do with it and don't want overkill. Why pay for it if you never use it?

The last issue is that none of the dealers have the TC55 in stock and only one had a TC48. Plenty of 40's and 45's though. Maybe I'm just making a popular choice based on the law of supply and demand. I just hate to buy something I haven't at least had a chance to drive even though I know the everything is essentially identical for these models.

Sorry to ramble, but I guess it's getting down to crunch time. I want to make a decision in the next week or so as I sure can use a new tractor. I anticipate having this tractor for a long time, so I want to make the right decision. $25,000 is a lot to spend and not be satisfied /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.

Thanks for your comments in this forum. They've been a big help.

NH55 · Oct 30, 2005

Tarheelman,

I got a TC55DA almost a year ago. My price breakdown was $24,500 for the machine and front loader -- not quick attach. This included filled tires. I also got the 759C backhoe, a landscape rake , grill guard and cutting edge for the bucket all of which was in addition to the 24,500.

I had some early problems with warranty work and service but overall I love this machine.

Being from NC you can probably buy Corriher for a few million (see ebay) and then take what ever machine(s) you want. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

CJ4 · Oct 30, 2005

I'd be glad to give you my opinion as I have just purchase a new TC55DA EHSS last week. Also if you'd read my thread in the NH forum (Ford 3000 - TC45DA - TC55DA) I think there's alot of helpful info in there for you too.

I was used to an old Ford 3,000 all my life and my delima was whether to go hydro or EHSS. The largest hydro was the 45DA and I, like you, will keep this tractor for a lifetime so I sure didn't want to sacrifice power and size. I'm not sure if you have the delima I had of choosing between hydro-super steer vs. a little more power-size. I really think it boils down to what your uses will be for this tractor and maybe more importantly.....what size and type of tractor are you used to??? What are your perceptions of what your new tractor will do for you to make you happy????

More specifically to your points.....(sorry i get carried away).... From my understanding the differences betweeen the two are minimal. The 55DA has a turbo and the 48DA does not. According to the NH website and the specs, there is 7hp difference in PTO hp. I really can't tell you the "real" difference in practice. I think if you're plowing, discing, or really pulling to the ground would be the only relevant time you may notice the difference in engine hp. It'd be interesting to drive the two in a heavy plowing situation and see if the turbo/hp is any difference. I really don't think in brush hogging or loader work you'd be able to tell the difference.

I don't think your prices are really that out of line. I gave $26,000 for the 55DA with the 18LA FEL, EHSS, and bumper guard. That was the cheapest I could jew from many I called around the state. Most wanted at least $27,000. I know I let my dealer stick it to me on alot of the accessories so he made it back up!! (uggggg)

Given the fact the 55DA is not as readily available I would be too anxious to delay and would buy the 48DA. That's just me......when I want it, I gotta have it!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I can tell you one thing for sure........I can't stop talking or thinking about my new tractor!!! It's really cool!!!!

Tarheelman · Oct 30, 2005

CJ4,

I read your thread and did garner a lot of information which has really helped. I'm an old 3000 guy and so I like my gears. I really never considered the hydro. Like you suggested, it would be nice to line up the 48 and 55 to an identical load to see if there is any real difference. I'll do a little plowing and disking, but not a lot. Otherwise I'd likely look more at a TN60 or so. I just like to size, look and feel (the TC48) of these tractors especially in relation to the 3000.

Thanks for the price info. I'm getting to the final negotiation stages, so it's nice to know its not too far out of line. Maybe I can improve it a little.

From your other thread, it sounds like you really are enjoying the heck out of that new tractor. Have fun and continue to be safe /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Just one other thing. Did you have any implements with your 3000? I've got a 2 bottom plow, disc harrow, etc. that I'll use with the new tractor. Just curious to see if you might be in the same situation and how that TC55 handles those 3000 implements. Pretty easily, I would expect.

Again, thanks for the info.

Tarheelman · Oct 30, 2005

NH55,

Thanks for the info. I'm getting a couple of rear remotes, so I figure that adds anywhere from $700-$1,000. Add a year's time to your price and at least I'm in the ballpark.

When you refer to a cutting edge, do you mean a tooth bar? How do you like using it? One of my first jobs I want to do is to clean up an old fence line, pulling up some posts and taking down some small trees and undergrowth. A tooth bar may help cut up under some of that brush better than just a bucket.

CJ4 · Oct 30, 2005

Tarheelman,

Your very welcome. Glad I could help in any way. Wow, it's refreshing to meet an ole Ford 3,000 user. We are from the same stuff then and can communicate well I think. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Those ole tractors were hard to beat....they just kept going and going....I feel kinda guilty trading it in but the ole thing brought so much more than it sold for even new. haha It was a real sentimental tractor too.....being my dad's and the one I learned on as a kid. Hate to say this, but I shed some tears when I left it......I was so tickled to get the new one I think that's all that got me outta there!!!

Yes, I am very much enjoying the new TC55DA. I kept my old implements (plow, box blade, straight rear grader blade, and brush hog)..... I did broke down and bought a new Rhino brush hog though since my old brush hog was needing alot of work. It was so tough and old I just hope the new one will be half as good. It was a Service brand, built like a wild bull!! When asking my dealer where and if I could get one still he informed me that Rhino is the same company as Service or at least took it over or something. They are built the best i've seen but very expensive. I think if a person is really brush hogging and not just doing "heavy mowing" you need a real strong brush hog. The thin built ones I could tear up in a day.

I have so far only had the time to try the loader, forks, new brush hog and box blade on it. I have no doubt it'd pull anything the ole 3,000 pulled and much more, especially with the 4wd and differential lock. I also have no doubt that the TC48DA would do more than the 3,000. I was real concerned in relation to the 3,000 where this tractor would rate as far as power, size, etc.... As of now, it's really hard to explain but I feel its about the same "size" of tractor as the old 3,000 but much more. Just not really comparing apples to apples but I will tell you this.......It's no way any less of a tractor and exceeds it in all ways so far. Only 30 yrs can tell me if it's as good for longevity and toughness.

I got a tootbar on my bucket as well as a bolt on cutting edge. The bolt on cutting edge is designed to keep from wearing down your original edge on your bucket and having to have it cut off and re-welded which would be much more expense and labor intensive than using a bolt on cutting edge and then reversing it when that side wears out. Problem is with my bolt on cutting edge on it the lip is just a bit too thick for the tooth bar to fit over it therefore, I can't use both of them at the same time. I think 6 or 8 bolts to take off the cutting edge and put on the toothbar. That's a hassle so you might check that out before you buy a toothbar to see if it'll fit over a bolt on cutting edge. The tooth bar is like using ripper teeth on the box blade......it tears up hard ground as you approach and lets you be more aggresive in FEL dirt work etc. It DOES make a big difference. The disadvantage is that backdragging with your bucket and finish smoothing is not near as refined with the toothbar on. It only has 2 bolts attaching it though so it's fairly easy to put on and off. One thing you could do is use the box blade for finishing when you have the toothbar on.

Keep in touch and you're welcome to PM me anytime.

rebelmedic · Oct 30, 2005

I was like you about the price difference between the two and went with the TC48.Turbo`s are expensive to replace if they break down. I`ve used the TC48 for brush cutting and a lot of FEL work clearing tree`s. You will need rear ballast to prevent it being tippy in front with a heavy load. My tires are not loaded but with my brush cutter attached it`s no problem. I have activated the loader hydraulic overload bypass on huge tree`s without rear wheels lifting. So far i realy like mine a lot and have had no problems and no regrets

LetsRoll · Oct 30, 2005

The prices you stated above is not a bad price. For me, I only paid $20400. Mine is a TC48DA 2wd, 18LA loader and is geared. No rear remotes, which I wish I would've had added before I took ownership of my tractor. Other than the engine and pto horse power, there is no difference between the two tractors. I'm going to go off and say this (most will probably think other wise), but the TC55 is a marketing tool for more money (in my honest opinion). There is a fine line, once you reach that line, you'll have to go to a 60 plus horse power tractor, maybe even more. For example, rear pto horse power. I've checked and the biggest bush hogg is a 84". The rear pto brake just can't take the abuse of anything bigger. batwing is out of the question. The TC55 has the same pto brake. There is probabley a little difference in pulling a disc, but maybe a few mph. None to make a big difference. I would say or thing (imo), New Holland marketed the 55 to get hobbist's attention with the 55 horse power and a turbo. Which I think is a good sales pitch. But for me, a geared 2wd TC48 was all I needed. My land is pretty flat. So, I decided the 4wd was not needed. By the way, the "2wd" TC48DA is no longer being built. The NH sales rep said there was just too little of a market for this model. Thank goodness I got one before they made this decision. Just cause I didn't need a 2wd TC55. So, I got to keep the extra dead presidents in my wallet./forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Anyways, if you decide to purchased the TC48, you will not be disappointed. I mainly use mine for round bale hay, dirt work and bush hogging mine and others fields. I just got done cleaning up a area that had trees anywere from 2 to 18 inchs in diameter (OD). I had to dig around most of them with the FEL and then push them over. I also had to relocate and then spread enough dirt to fill 8 dump trucks. This area was created 30 years ago with a dozer. The owner hired a dozer to clean up the end of his land. The dozer operater knocked all the trees down and then pushed them up into a pile (including the dirt) and then burned the trees. After 30 years, trees were growing there again and the hugh dirt pile was still there. I got tired of it being there, so I decided to knocked the trees down and burn them else where. What was left, was the hugh dirt pile. Half of the dirt went back into the holes that the tree trunk left behind. The other half was used to smooth things out. It took me a week just to move all the dirt (working 4 to 5 hours a day before I went to work). This really put a smile on my face cause the loader just doesn't look like it will do this kind of work. But it did. All it cost me was fuel and about 10 tubes a grease (there are grease zirks everywhere on these models which I'm not whinning about). /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I think I got a picture of some of the work I've done with mine. This picture only shows a little of what I did. Also, over look my front end loader boom pole that I built to help me trim the trees on my land. The boom pole is not done yet(so please, over look it).

LetsRoll · Oct 31, 2005

This will give you a little idea with what I started out with. Trees that is, not the tractor....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

NH55 · Oct 31, 2005

Tarheelman,

Forgot to say I have EHSS on mine also.

So far as the cutting edge it is a bolt on edge for the loader bucket -- not a toothbar.

My first purchase after the machine was a toothbar from Markham Welding. It is definitely worth the money. It takes a few minutes to swap one off for the other depending on what job you are doing. Having the toothbar makes a big difference when using the bucket for digging, clearing brush etc.