Will TC33 do the job

[Dennis Pozzo]

I have been looking for a tractor for awhile. I have about 5-7 acres that are clear and another 5-7 that needs to be cleared, it has a bunch of 10 - 12 ft cedar trees. The terrain is both hilly and flat. I was going to look at a Kubota B2630 but was told that may be to small.

Do you think a TC 33 would do the job? I found a 2003 TC33w/FEL and 5ft brushog a couple of hours away for $12,500. Seems to be a good price. However, I have not been able to look at it. The weather the past three weekends...we have either heavy rain, sleet or snow. I am afraid it is going to be gone before I ever look at it.

Also, anything input as to what to look for while inspecting the tractor would be greatly appreciated...that is if they still have it when the weather clears.

 

[DCJL]

I've got a NH TC34DA and would not attempt ripping out 10 - 12 foot cedars on 5 - 7 acres. With that much acreage you may want to rent a dozer or excavator. You could get it done in short time with the right equipment or a long time and abusing a tractor not made for that usage.

 

[Soundguy]

A 30hp tractor is fine for your ? 14ac of maintenance. however.. CUT's are not great 'land clearing' machines.. it's tough on them.

I like to hire out stuff like that to a bull dozer, or an excavator.. they can come in stump it and then you can do the rest fine with that size amchine..

Soundguy

 

[SOS]

I agree with these guys. Rent a dozer initially. However, if you plan on chipping and brushhoging, I think the 33 would do fine. I have a 45 and 13 acres and I work it pretty heard moving fallen trees and brush hogging but I did rent a dozer to do the first pass as I did not want to wearout the tractor the first year. Good luck

 

[ironpen]

My suggestion is to go to WalMart and get a nylon "snatch strap" that you use to pull out a stuck car. Make sure it has a loop at both ends. These things stretch like a rubber band. Put one end around the base of the cedar tree and the other on the trailer hitch of your pick up truck, take a bit of a running start and those cedars will come right out by the roots. I have literally done this hundreds of times. It does not jar your truck like a chain does.....absolutely no harm and no teeth rattling like a chain or steel cable. Then use your FEL to stack up the trees. As wierd as this may sound....it actually is a lot of fun. My 12 year old loves to help me do this! You can do it the tc33 if you wish (I have a '99 Tc33 and have used it for this as well). It won't hurt it either. For what it's worth, my Tc33 spins a 6 foot Land Pride rotary cutter with absolutely no strain or overheating. I had a 5 footer, got frustrated with the amount of time it took to cut acreage. The 6 footer does make a significant difference in the amount of time per acre. The 3 point hitch has no problem lifting it and I have no extra front weights. Good luck, good machine.

 

[Chuckatuck]

Dennis,

I've got a DX33 and would agree that trying to clear trees is tough with this size tractor; however, a 12' cedar may not be too hard. I've been underwhelmed with my CUT's abilities in the land clearing mode--it's slow going. In retrospect, when I cleared my lot I rented a bulldozer towards the end of my labors and really had wished I had done so earlier! The ｱ$500 was well worth it. Knock it all out at once! You will still need the tractor to pull that 6' cutter and to get the cleared area graded, etc.

Look for battery acid damage and the radiator coolant hose for cracking. You can search the forums for problems with those two recurrent issues. Otherwise, the rest is tied to general maintenance. Check to see if the grease zirks have ever been used . . .

P.S. You can keep the snow and ice!
Good Luck,
Chuckatuck

 

[TrippleT]

A 12 inch cedar might be a bit for the 33. But, I have pushed down some that I would have thought it would be impossible. They are a powerful little tractor. And when you get it cleared you will need something to keep it maintained. A good excuse to get it. The tree I pushed down here is larger than you would think. I would guess it was 40 ft long. And, maybe 6 or more inches thick, no problem. Of course, the type of dirt and rock, make a lot of difference as well.

 

[AndyMA]

A 12 inch cedar might be a bit for the 33. .

From what I read, he was talking about 10 - 12 foot tall cedars. I would guess they are about inches at the butt. A TC33 could probably push a few over. I think they should be cut for posts being cedar.

Andy

 

[Dennis Pozzo]

Thanks for the input everyone, it is greatly appreciated. Hopefully, it will not rain this weekend and I can go look at it. It would be a heck of a Christmas present.

 

[TrippleT]

Sorry, I misunderstood. If they are only 10 to 12 feet tall then it shouldn't be any trouble. Cedar here push down fairly easy. I guess senility is running rampant. LOL