Go BottomAll around tractor
 | dstell
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1 Walkertown, NC 
|
2003-08-12 61627
I have a question for the group. It mostly relates to mowing. I see that this has been covered a lot by the group, but I don't know if my particular question has come up.
We have a horse farm. Just 2 horses and 6 acres. About 4 acres is either yard, or pasture that needs to be mowed periodically. Then we have 2 wild acres than need some attention from a bush-hog and loader bucket.
We just moved in last year and are making due with a little JD lawn tractor. Its fine for pulling small manure loads, but obviously not up to taming my wild areas. Also, it only has a 42 inch deck and it takes a long time to cut all that grass.
I've been procrastinating on buying something like a TC33D because I'm making due with what I have for manure dumping purposes and don't NEED a tractor yet. However, if a TC33D could also make cutting my grass faster, I might just do it.
Questions:
1) How manuverable does SS make the TC33D? Is it manuverable like a lawn tractor? Worse? Better? The reason I ask is that we've got vinyl post-rail fencing and need to have some manuverability.
2) Is there a compromise tire for both ag work and yard work? I don't want to rip my my lawn with ag tires, but I also don't want to get stuck in the mud with turf tires.
3) I assume a MMM isn't the solution since the tractor would get used daily for other purposes like spreading manure. Can someone just confirm this?
4) I assume a loader is going to decrease the effective manuverability of the package for yard work (i.e. manuvering around a vinyl fence). If so, how easy is the loader to take on/off.
Obviously, using a tractor for lawn mowing isn't idea. In a perfect world, I'd got get a Gravely 60" mower AND a TC45D with a loader.
Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dean
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAll around tractor
 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York 
 Pics
|
2003-08-12 61641
Lowest investment and one of the best model sellers available is the BX Kuubota. Perfect for up to ten acres maximum. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAll around tractor
 | kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
Pics
|
2003-08-12 61662
When I was shopping I looked closely at a TC33D, so I'll make a stab at answering your questions.
1. SS is mighty impressive, but it does not transform the TC into a ZTR mower. When you drive in circles at full steering lock the rear inside tire will turn in a circle about 12-15" in diameter. One thing to be aware of with SS is that when the front axle articulates during a turn the front of the tractor will actually turn outward a little before following the front wheels. This can be a problem if you're driving in tight areas where the front end going a few inches the other way might cause it to hit something, especially if you have a loader. Also, SS seemed to me to make the steering feel a little funny but I'm sure you would get used to it.
2. R4's are generally considered compromise tires. They don't get the traction of R1's on soft soil, but they don't do R1 style turf damage. They have a big footprint which reduces compaction over smaller footprints.
3. I don't have a finish mower for my tractor so this is pure opinion on my part. A lot of people have MMM, and most of them don't seem to enjoy installing and removing them. A RFM would be easier to attach at the expense of maneuverability. In your case whatever you get has to extend out wider than the tractor to cut close to the fence line and neither would do well in the corners (MMM would do better). I made the choice of buying neither. Instead I figured the $1-2k it would take to get a good finish mower I could buy a serviceable new or used riding mower. It would probably do a better job mowing with less soil compaction. The downside is it will be smaller and probably slower and there is another machine to and maintain.
4. Most people seem to be able to attach/detach front loaders in about 5 minutes. Might take you 10-15 minutes the very first time.
Hope this helps.
....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAll around tractor
| rjones
Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 24 sc
|
2003-08-13 61752
first of all, let's put priorities where they should be - no matter how young, old, rich, poor, sick, etc.,,,, you get the point.. Every Man Needs A Tractor. Wheeeeeeee
that being said. i bought a NH TC33D w/FEL & Backhoe. it has SS. i've driven tractors since i was a kid & this is the most maneuverable tractor i've ever driven. i love it. my son has a t18 w/rdm, works great, but he wants one, Just Like Mine. - my 2 cents, buy one & you'll wonder why you didn't get it 10 yrs ago
hope this helps ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAll around tractor
| triplenet
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 8 NW Arkansas
|
2003-08-20 62231
I have owned a TC33D with SS, R-4's FEL, box blade, rear finish mower for 2 years and have 350 hrs on it. We have used it for various jobs during road, utility, home, shop construction, grading, rock wall building, and minor land clearing. I had a chain hook welded on the top of the bucket and always have a length of chain on the tractor-I am amazed at what this machine can do as you become comfortable with it. I have discovered that with the box blade adjusted properly, this tractor will tip out up to 6" trees.
I have heavily forested, hilly land, and find the SS is very valuable navigating in tight spaces-I have never taken the FEL off as it is like a third hand.
Having this tractor has just about retired my Grasshopper as it has better traction and with the rear mount, I can back up to most inaccessable areas and finish up with a weed eater.
I am truly impressed and highly recommend. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add Photo
Go Top
Share This