Hello All, Brand new member here. I'm in the market for buying a compact tractor but don't know how many horsepower to go with. The main duties I will use it for are snow plowing and firewood hauling. I'm interested in a 2004 NH TC24 4x4 and a MF 1533 4x4. The NH is $8900 and the MF is $12500. I heat my home with wood and plan on using the tractor to haul a cord of wood in my 5X10 dump trailer. Is 24 Hp enough or do I go with 33?
what to buy
- Thread starter jeffm74
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nybirdman
Super Member
Go bigger(MF) ,lot of weight in a cord of wood.Should have a robust loader also.Weight is also your friend when plowing snow.
TheMadOne
Platinum Member
Billy Bee
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2014
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- 216
- Location
- Lowell Michigan
- Tractor
- New Holland TC 33, John Deere 3020
Welcome Jeff, I would go with the MF, according to tractor data, the tc 24 weighs 1723 lbs. and the 1533 weighs 3025/3384 lbs. also the 1533 has about twice the gpm hydraulic flow. The NH would pull that load on level firm ground, but I don't think you would have much luck out in the woods. That trailer and a cord of wood would weigh more than the NH. and if you have hills, not a good combination. I also heat with wood and haul firewood with my NH TC 33 and I wouldn't want anything less, sometimes I wish I had a bigger tractor. Go bigger and be hap
WVH1977
Platinum Member
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- Apr 6, 2017
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- 736
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- Richmond, VA
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- Massey 2860M Cab, Massey 1E.35, Gravely Pro-Turn 560, 1989 Ford D47 Dump Truck John Deere LX178
Jeff,
I have a NH TC40 and load wood with it all the time. I have a grapple bucket with it and pick up anything I want within reason. I agree with Billy Bee. Get as much HP as you can afford. You will not regret it. if you look around you might be able to find a good used 40 HP tractor for around the same price as the Massey. How many acres are you working with? I am on 6 acres now and just bought a 16 acre lot. I wish I had bought a NH TC55 looking back on things now. My Dad has a 1643 Massey and that is a real nice tractor. I don't think you would go wrong with the Massey or the older NH.
Just a side note: I would not buy any of the newer NH Tractors. They are not the same quality tractors as the older NH's. If I were buying new now I would probably go with Massey. They are making some quality tractors right now. Just take your time looking and research, research, research.
I have a NH TC40 and load wood with it all the time. I have a grapple bucket with it and pick up anything I want within reason. I agree with Billy Bee. Get as much HP as you can afford. You will not regret it. if you look around you might be able to find a good used 40 HP tractor for around the same price as the Massey. How many acres are you working with? I am on 6 acres now and just bought a 16 acre lot. I wish I had bought a NH TC55 looking back on things now. My Dad has a 1643 Massey and that is a real nice tractor. I don't think you would go wrong with the Massey or the older NH.
Just a side note: I would not buy any of the newer NH Tractors. They are not the same quality tractors as the older NH's. If I were buying new now I would probably go with Massey. They are making some quality tractors right now. Just take your time looking and research, research, research.
the old grind
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2012
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- 4,412
- Location
- Mid-Michigan
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- NH T-1520 HST, NH TC33DA HST, Case DX26 HST, .Terramite T5C, . NH L785
:welcome: I urge you to heed the advice given above, esp considering your plans vs say gardening or mowing.
My Case/IH (1.1L Shibaura) is comparable in weight and power to the TC24, and my current NH/Shibaura is similar enough to the Massey 1533, if a bit lighter. Still operating 2 of my 3 Shibauras, this isn't about brand, but about size.
There is no comparison between my two CUTs other than familiarity of service points! The smaller machine has 2-range HST and won't budge my 2' x 4' lawn roller in H much less work it, and I'm near PTO speed to pull it in L.
I'm pretty much limited to hosteling trailers and pulling the landscape rake, mostly to free up my 'workhorse' T1520 .. and the reason I added the runt to my stable.
If you don't realize it by now, .. expect the TC24 to have to work hard pulling your dump trailer when empty. IMO o'all performance of the Massey is more than worth the difference in cost. Our sub-2k lb tractors just aren't much in the woods or fields. You kinda knew that, right? t o g
My Case/IH (1.1L Shibaura) is comparable in weight and power to the TC24, and my current NH/Shibaura is similar enough to the Massey 1533, if a bit lighter. Still operating 2 of my 3 Shibauras, this isn't about brand, but about size.
There is no comparison between my two CUTs other than familiarity of service points! The smaller machine has 2-range HST and won't budge my 2' x 4' lawn roller in H much less work it, and I'm near PTO speed to pull it in L.
I'm pretty much limited to hosteling trailers and pulling the landscape rake, mostly to free up my 'workhorse' T1520 .. and the reason I added the runt to my stable.If you don't realize it by now, .. expect the TC24 to have to work hard pulling your dump trailer when empty. IMO o'all performance of the Massey is more than worth the difference in cost. Our sub-2k lb tractors just aren't much in the woods or fields. You kinda knew that, right? t o g
