Go BottomTC33D Cracks on dash cowling
 | Bill L
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2002-12-03 45697
I love my NH TC33D, but I just wanted to mention that I noticed two cracks in the cowling (blue plastic) that the instrument cluster is screwed to. The cracks are radiating out from where the screws go in to hold the instrument cluster on.
The cracks are hard to notice when they start, but take a close look and get the cowling replaced if your warranty is still in effect. I was lucky I noticed them while my warranty was still good (by 2 days!!!!). No problem getting the cowling replaced, but I'm concerned this may be a weakness in the design (or the screws were torqued too much at the factory) - I only have 180 hours on the machine. I'm worried that after another 200 hours the cracks will reappear. Time will tell! Still.....a great little machine!!!
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2002-12-04 45711
Good suggestion. I have some of those cracks on my '89 Ford 1/2-ton. They were there when I bought the truck five years ago and haven't spread. If they had I might think about drilling small stress relief holes at the ends like on aircraft aluminum cowlings. However, relief holes were usually combined with reinforcing patches. I'd probably start wondering if I could apply fiberglass patches to the backsides of this sort of molded vinyl stuff.
Sounds like a lot of work and the cracks have been stable but if repair was needed eventually I'd sure rather get the work done under warranty than do it myself years later.
....
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| Dave Barrow
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-12-05 45750
I have about 300 hours on my tc33d. The only design problem I had is with the fuel gauge when topping off the tank (shows as beng empty until it gets to 3/4 of a tank.) No visible cracks in 15 months. I love the tractor and I have been abusing it. ....
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 | BillMullens
Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 649 Central West Virginia 
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2002-12-05 45762
The cowling on my TC29 cracked on one side, radiating out from where the cowling bolts to the firewall. Warranty coved mine, too. The dealer said he'd seen a couple that cracked around the instument cluster, his opinion was that they had been tightened too tight at the factory. I believe that mine cracked because a bolt was extending out too far under the right hand side cover; this in turn put constant tension on the cowling and it cracked around the bolt hole. The crack extended from there back toward the instrument cluster about 12-15".
Bill ....
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