Should we buy this TN60???

[hollowcd]

Ok guys, here is th story. My brother and I have been looking into buying a 50-60hp tractor for a while now and have ben waiting for a deal to come along. I think that I have finally found one but there is one major item I am questioning. We are looking at a 2004 TN60, less than 600 hours, dual rear remotes, 32LC loader, with the good tires and MFWD. This package I can get for a little under $16,000. The only thing that we are not nuts about is that is has an 8x8 transmission instead of the 12x12. According to the literature, the 8x8 is a constant mesh transmission instead of synchronized. What exactly does this mean? Are we going to be dissapointed vs the 12x12? We are going to use it primarily for hay work right now roughly at 50 acres or so, but it will be used for other things, i.e. bushhogging, moving logs etc in the woods, moving stone, etc etc. I think that the price is good on the tractor, but I am not sure how much the 12x12 would add to the price and if this deal is just good, or it is great. Please let me know your thoughts and I appreciate the help on everything.

Thanks,
hollow

[AndyMA]

I'm not sure. I think you have to take a look at available ground speeds and see how they match up to your uses. I have a 16x16 electro hydro shuttle TN75D and in my case I would not want to give up half the speeds.

Andy

[Soundguy]

I think that's an awesome price.

I'm not familiar with an 8x8 tranny.. but I can tell you my old ford crashboxes ( 8x2 ) give me plenty of forward gear choicse.. not fond of the slow-slow or too-fast reverse.. but if I had 8 of them.. I think it'd be great.. that's alot of machine for 16K. I paid more for my 7610s with similar hours, no loader and 8x2 tranny ( few more ponies too ).and felt it was a good deal..


soundguy

[tractorsanmore]

Make sure it has enough pto hp . I think that one is under 50

[hollowcd]

Thanks for the replies fellas, I wil take all the advice I can get. It is rated at 45 pto hp but that should be adequate enough for the old square baler, new holland haybine, and old medium size john deere 410 round baler we operate. Again I appreciate all of the suggestions.
regards,
hollow

[Robert_in_NY]

I have a TN65 set up the same as the one you are looking at and I use it for the same tasks you plan to also. The 8x8 tranny in my TN is a syncro and has been trouble free.

The 8x8 tranny is able to do everything you want and it does it for me. I would love to have more gears though as there are times I wish I had a split gear expecially when I am baling but I get by with it still. If the price is right and it meets your requirements go for it and you will be fine. Otherwise keep looking but I have noticed the tractors with more gears seem to go for more but I think they are worth it.

If it tells you anything, if I was to buy a new tractor right now it would have at least 12 forward gears preferably more.

[LoneCowboy]

more gears are better, but really I have the 16x16 and I use

all of the C range
top of B-high
2,3,4 of B-low

and almost never any of low range. (usually when I get stupid and get stuck, but that's about it)

8x8 should be fine, esp for 16k.

[AndyMA]

Originally Posted by LoneCowboy

more gears are better, but really I have the 16x16 and I use

all of the C range
top of B-high
2,3,4 of B-low

and almost never any of low range. (usually when I get stupid and get stuck, but that's about it)

8x8 should be fine, esp for 16k.

I use all of B high and B low (Some almost overlap). C when transporting and A1 and A4 when tilling or manuvering where I have to be extremely accurate like hooking up the backhoe.

I definately agree that $16K is a good price. The TN's are very good machines. Aruably the best of breed from all the Big 3 in that size range.

Andy

Andy

[Chuck_Lind]

I've got a similar setup with a 2000 TN 65 with MFWD, 3 remotes, 32LA loader and the 8 x 8 shuttle transmission. Never have any problems selecting the correct gear, lots of power.
It will handle the balers, haybines, rakes, etc. with no problem.
Only thing I would have done different is to have a cab mounted on it instead of a canopy.

Great machine...enjoy it.

[mojoinco]

I have a TN55S (cab, supersteer) with the 8x8. I do all these things except bale. It is on my wish list to do. I would think the 12 x 12 or more would be a better choice, but I have no reference for the need. I think the 60 has a larger front axle. Having extra remotes would be sweet (at ~ $600 each). I do like the cab -- it wasn't on my wish list -- definitely a plus (and it has filters built into the cab as well). And a cup holder.

The various levels (D, S, ?) have slightly different feature sets. Some nice, some not so different.

Paid $22K for mine with ~550 hrs about 1 1/2 years ago. Cab gives you more lights and electricity. And really really nice yesterday when I moved snow (and will be tomorrow when I get home and move some more). Check for the adjustable 3 point end links. A real help when mounting implements. It might be one of the 'features'.

The S/cab model (and maybe others) offer the large volume hydraulic pump. Worth finding out. Mine has the shuttle shift clutch (orange shifter handle means it has the electro/hydraulic clutch -- shuttle shift). You have to push the clutch in to start the unit and to change gears. You have to stop the tractor to shift ranges. You DO NOT have to use the clutch to change directions (it's a hard habit to change though). That's the reason for the electro/hydraulic clutch -- it's not really a shuttle box (fwd-rev), but the clutch engaging one direction or the other (that's all I really know about this). MFWD gets wet brakes on all 4 wheels versus the 2wd (at least on the supersteer). Hope that answers the transmission 'synchro' question.

Does the loader have remotes under the cab, or use the rear remotes for power? The very early TNs worked this way (even loader ready units).