TC45DA thoughts

[Oleozz]

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

Now that GPS idea is a darn good idea.
darn good
GPS's are cheap
You are not helping my wallet, but that's an excellent idea.

I use a handheld Garmin GPS 12 to do my sprayer work and it does a good job. I match the tractor speed with the RPM's and gear of the tractor and then adjust my rate of spray with a flip of the switch.

[LoneCowboy]

Originally Posted by jinman

Brian, I'm not sure I agree with your statement that compacts are more expensive to operate. I'd have to compare expenses over a long period of time to make that statement, but I concede that it might be true. I've had my TC45D since February of 2001 and it has around 2000 hours on it. So, I think I'm qualified to give you some longterm owner feedback.

100 hours between oil changes is basically the same or a little longer than you would do on an automobile. If you drive a car for 100 hours and average 45 mph, that's 4,500 miles. Many of us like to change oil at 3,000 miles in our vehicles when they don't work as hard as our tractors. Since the TC45DA will only have a 5.5 quart oil change, I don't think 100 hours is excessive. What's the time on the TN? How much oil? Filter price?

300 hours is a general guidline on transmission fluid/hydraulic fluid change. I think that is a good thing to do when the tractor is new, but I'd have the oil analyzed on a "working" tractor to see if I could not push those hours beyond 400. You might find a filter change does the trick at 300 with a full oil and filter change at 500 hours. In all fairness though, NH recommends 300 hours and that's the number you have to use.

The whine from the transmission still irritates me at times, but for the most part I don't hear it or I ignore it. It's pretty much a non-issue with me. Everything you said about the loader and the ergonomics is true. The tractor has the perfect layout in my opinion with the exception of losing rear vision because of the fuel tank (and added toolbox in my case). The raised platform tractors all do not allow turning in the seat and making adjustments like the old straddle-the-running-gear tractors did.

If you are not going to need the extra 5 hp at the PTO then I would go with the TC40DA. The design of the relief valve in the transmission ensures that the TC40DA and TC35DA have the same pulling power as the TC45DA. I guess you could make the argument that the engine will not have to work as hard to do that pulling, but breaking a 10 lb test fishing line takes the same amount of pull from a 100 lb kid or a 250 lb man. That's the best analogy I can come up with. The 135 cu in. engine in the TC45DA will not be working very hard for any task you give it.

The 16LA loader is great. Last night I dug a 4 ft deep hole in the ground to bury an animal and did not have to dig much of a downramp. I think I could easily dig 3 ft deep from level ground. The loader has enough strength and reach to really get down there. It also is easy to remove and install.

With the ability to add lots of implements and up to three rear remotes, the Class III Boomers all can be real workers. The HST models are super to operate because of their ease and simplicity of well-thought-out controls. My choice would be the TC40DA over the TC45DA if I had to make the purchase based on what I know about the transmission. The amount of PTO work you do will make that decision for you.

thanks, very helpful post.
Appreciate the info.
we do mostly PTO work. And honestly, I'm keeping the MF 1433 (gear) so we'd probably use that for ground work (although it's lower HP).

What's the time on the TN? How much oil? Filter price?

For engine oil (after initial 50 hour break in) it's 300 hours, I think it's like 6 to 7 quarts.
for hydralic system, it's 1200 hours, filter every 600 IIRC.
BIG difference to the TC's (and the MF too)

[LoneCowboy]

Ok
last chance to talk me out of it, or I go buy it tomorrow morning.

Help my wallet, please

[FULLPULL]

It sounds like you made your choice .If i had mostly pto work thats the way i would go. And you can use a belly mower if you get the mid pto. The only thing a skid steer would have on this unit is getting close to post to hold the barns up .You can also get a different bucket to clean the barns out. Good luck with your choice.

[FULLPULL]

I think the fuel use will offset the oil changes my 40 sipped fuel after it broke in. We drove it to the other side of the county and back it used 3 gal of fuel. My wallet is tapped out the 55 took care of it for me.

[MadDogDriver]

Hey Brian sounds like you'll fighting your wife for seat time on the 45,

Make sure you get a Blue Spinner and don't forget that Garmin either

I don't think you'll regret the decision.

[Kubotasrking]

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

Ok
last chance to talk me out of it, or I go buy it tomorrow morning.

Help my wallet, please

I think the silence says it all... People are trying to help. The tractor you've selected is a great machine. When I was looking for a replacement, I too concluded NH was the machine for me. After receiving a lot of feedback from Jinman, Soundguy, Bird, and many others, I was convinced it was the best thing to to.

You will be amazed at what it can do compared to the older MF. I put front remotes on mine, a grapple bucket, and have cleared (including piling and burning the debris left by 400+ trees) 8-9 acres! Sometimes I wish it had a 6-way blade, but from a power to maneuverability standpoint, I've not been disappointed one time.

I noticed the post about sensitrak...some may like it, but it seems like a design flaw to me (maybe because I have broken the lever 2x... ). Maybe you can help clear it up for the rest of us when you get your new machine home.

Best of luck!

[FULLPULL]

Maddog did you say some mid mount implements wont work with the cab tractors in the 40 45 series? I dont want to tell him something wrong.

[MadDogDriver]

Originally Posted by FULLPULL

Maddog did you say some mid mount implements wont work with the cab tractors in the 40 45 series? I dont want to tell him something wrong.

I don't have a cab, but my dealer told me that the 40/45s with cabs do have some limitations that the non cab models don't . I think I said for him to check with his dealer to make sure. I know that the 40 w/ cab will not take a Woods BH90-X subframe mount. Now I'm not positive about what other limitations the cab imposes. I also know that my tractor can't take a MMM with my Woods subframe. I just wanted to make sure Brian checked with his dealer upfront about any possible limitations with the cab installed. It'd be a real surprise to find out after the fact.

I just read my earlier post....yea I sorta of said that about mid mounts, should've clarified it better. There may not be any NH limitations with NH parts. Just know I had some decisions to make when ordering my tractor, cause I was considering a cab , but wanted the BH90-X too and mid mount limitations played into it too.

Sometimes we don't foresee our options when ordering and that's why I suggested asking the dealer upfront.

[MtnViewRanch]

Be sure to get what ever extras that you might need. Enough remotes, T"n"T
for that grader, there must be something else.

Good luck