TC55DA advice requested

ergoman · Feb 26, 2006

Hello, I farm corn and hay on 40 acres
I'm strongly considering trading in a Ford 961 and 8n towards a 55DA this week, I found this site and spent a few hours reading every post I could about this tractor. The dealer told me some of the following as facts: (the tractor is a 2005, 2wd with a loader for 20K, 30 hrs, demo, full warranty)
-This tractor will pull a 3 bottom moldboard very well.
-It will bale small bales or sm. round bales (4x4)
-It will run my two row picker
-It will run my post hole digger
-6' finish mower
-5' corn chopper
The tractor has ag tires in back and small fat ribbed tires in front, I have to talk to the guy tomorrow, he said there is 5 yr 0% financing but that it ends tuesday??? None of the posts I read talked about using this tractor for plowing or discing or much past backhoe and loader work. Does anyone use it for farming and WILL IT PLOW??
thanks

DieselMonk · Feb 26, 2006

I ran a 2 bottom plow fine with mine, but it is a 4x4 EHSS. Done extensive loader work, pulling logs, digging ditches, spreading gravel and dirt, mow with my bushhog, runs my 78" snow blower, wood chipper and grader blade. She does everything I want it to do and then some. Dunno about a 3 bottom plow and 2 wheel drive, but you have to know that as it depends how heavy the dirt is you are trying to plow. Here are a few TC55DA owners in this forum and I am sure they will share their opinions about it too. Good luck!

Max

jinman · Feb 26, 2006

Have you ever owned a 2wd utility sized tractor with a loader? I don't think you'll be happy with it unless you put lots and lots of rear ballast on. If you lift a round bale with a bale spear or get too heavy a load in the loader, you may find the rear tires don't have enough traction, especially on inclines. It may be okay for your uses, but I'd sure plan on lots of rear ballast to use that loader. Is it an 18LA loader or an after-market one?

ergoman · Feb 26, 2006

Its the 18LA loader, Ive had a loader on the 961 for several years and its not that handy. Ive also plowed with an 800 series diesel ford that does three bottoms fine. The sales guy is basing the 3 bottom on a the HP of the boomer. I'm not sure if somethings changed or not but my 26hp 8n plowed 2 bottoms just fine, I'm assuming that the 55hp boomer should pull a three bottom easily and the sales guy said it would also. I'm starting to feel like this tractor is made for FEL work and not plowing and discing, is this right. I will need to make a decision by tuesday am according to him to get the 0% deal.
Are these tractors for designed to do something other than normal farming? Plowing, discing, picking and baling.
thanks again

jinman · Feb 27, 2006

In my understanding, the TC48 and TC55 are built on essentially the same running gear as the old 2120 which was definitely a farming capable tractor. I think you can configure the TC55 as a fine plowing tractor or a utility tractor. I don't see any reason it would not pull a 3-bottom plow just fine with ag tires instead of the industrial tires that are so popular with this model. Although 4wd would surely be nice, I think you will be able to plow fine with the TC55. After all, it is not only over twice the hp of your old 8N, it's also about 1,500 lb heavier and has a far superior transmission. I think you will be fine with your choice, especially at the $20k price. With a loader included, that's a bargain. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ergoman · Feb 27, 2006

Thanks for the info,
spoke to the dealer and he's filling the tires and adding an impliment light for free. Also having a brush guard and hyd outlets at cost. Gave me fair deal on trade in's. He said if I use it till mid summer, what ever additional hours and dont like it he'll credit me my full amount towards a different tractor. Seems fair to me, will pick up weekend after next.
thanks again

Trail_Time · Feb 27, 2006

Sounds like you can't go wrong with that deal.

Good luck!

BadDog · Feb 28, 2006

Your trade-in deal is excellent. My bet is that you'll upgrade it to a 4WD model really fast, as I'm pretty sure you're not going to be too happy with RWD only, unless you only have level ground and ideal operating conditions. Even with that I'm sure you'd appreciate the ability the 4WD system provides.

I've been running a 4WD TC55DA for 2 years now, a few glitches here and there. NH dealer has been very good (not excellent). I wouldn't trade the 55 for anything less than a 4WD TN, just to get more weight and a heavier-duty frame.

Favorite things about the TC55DA: EHSS, short turning radius, ample power and small size, excellent ease of operation and maintenance. The only negative I will highlight is that it isn't heavy enough to get all the power to the ground.

In no way would I run my tractor in 2WD or 4WD without BOTH filled tires AND rear wheel weights, esp with the loader. The tractor is just too light and has too much power. 4WD helps an immense amount with traction, but you still need the weight to keep those tires from spinning on the ground.

You will not have any problem plowing or pulling just about anything with the TC55DA... it's an absolute brute, especially with it's low range, but it's just too light in standard form to get all that power to the ground.

The loader is excellent, but it is also overpowered. Be careful using it or you'll be replacing the front lift links. They're only about $100 for all four, and they will go first when you overload your bucket. I wouldn't consider improving the links, though, as something else more expensive will break.

I have absolutely no regrets about buying my NH, it's paid for itself several times already, and has a ton of life left in it. I only have a few payments left to make. It's one payment I don't regret making.

ergoman · Feb 28, 2006

I think its a good deal. Prob. right about the 4wd,
Does anyone know what the front axle adjustman dimensions are or where I could find them?
Called the dealer with no response so far. I've looked at most of the obvious places.
thanks

IH3444 · Feb 28, 2006

Bad Dog, I thought it only had 2 links up front. I may get a set just to have on hand, incase I bend mine. I had already thought that to be the weak link, and thought about box welding them in, and repainting. You think the next thing to go would be the hydraulic cylinder rod? I have the TC48DA, with 18LA loader. Thanks for the very honest evaluation, especially after the trouble you had with your front end.