New TC55DA owner

[RoadGear]

Hi Fellas!

I'm new to the Blue Team with the purchase of a TC55DA and 18LA loader. You can read about my purchase here - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/new-holland-buying-pricing/142651-price-check-aisle-3-nh.html.

I was moving my dirt bucket and snow blade around trying to find a place where they would fit when I'm not using them and my Forward/Reverse lever broke off in my hand! Needless to say I was NOT a happy camper but fortunately, I was able to get it back in the shop.

Has anyone gone through this before with the reverser lever? Is it a common problem or am I just "lucky"? I haven't had the time to open the cowl panels to look at it but I'm hoping to do that tomorrow.

I really hope this is just a case of bad luck. I really like this tractor.

Mike

 

[jimmysisson]

Lucky.

 

[AndyMA]

Hi Fellas!

I'm new to the Blue Team with the purchase of a TC55DA and 18LA loader. You can read about my purchase here - http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/new-holland-buying-pricing/142651-price-check-aisle-3-nh.html.

I was moving my dirt bucket and snow blade around trying to find a place where they would fit when I'm not using them and my Forward/Reverse lever broke off in my hand! Needless to say I was NOT a happy camper but fortunately, I was able to get it back in the shop.

Has anyone gone through this before with the reverser lever? Is it a common problem or am I just "lucky"? I haven't had the time to open the cowl panels to look at it but I'm hoping to do that tomorrow.

I really hope this is just a case of bad luck. I really like this tractor.

Mike

No, but the lever on my 2120 has felt "sloppy" since 1987. Once I had it rebushed. Helped for a while. Use it gently kinda wiggke it.

Andy

 

[RoadGear]

Okay, opened the bottom cowling today and saw that the operating lever had broken right at the weld that attached the lever to the mounting block. The mounting block was held between two ears buy a pinch bolt which I backed out to remove the block.

Called my local dealer but he didn't have the part so I asked him to order it. I asked him how much and he said $97.50 - ! I went back out and looked at the linkage and pushed the bottom part of the lever down between the mounting ears where the block would go. I put the pinch bolt back in and snugged it down and....it captured the lever end tight enough so I could work the shuttle.

I went out with the Woods RM990 mower and cut the back pasture. The shuttle worked fine and the mower and TC55 ran great.........I'm in LOVE!

Mike

 

[jimmysisson]

See, you're lucky!
Seriously though, sounds like it could be welded? A pinch bolt may not hold up too long?
Jim

 

[RoadGear]

See, you're lucky!
Seriously though, sounds like it could be welded? A pinch bolt may not hold up too long?
Jim

Hi Jim!
I am going to have it welded back together (or at least try). The pinch bolt deal is just temporary so I could at least use the tractor. In fact, I finished mowing the corner pasture today.

Mike

 

[joes_427_vette]

Roadgear;
I tried the JD 4700 series out before buying the TC 55. I didn't think they were at all comparable. The 55 feels rock steady and I love the shuttle ( EHSS ). I ordered it with the 270 loader and there is nothing I don't like about the design or mechanical aspects. My TC 45 was a different story. The whine of the hydro drove me crazy as well as the lack of power to the wheels.
The 55 will be around until I get the urge for a cab version. By then it may be a 9990 RT model designation.
The 55 is a great machine and I know you will have alot of new duties for it to perform.... which leads to more attachments ! Enjoy !

 

[RoadGear]

Hey jr, thanks for joining in!
The more I run the TC55, the more I like it. The only sour note was breaking the shuttle lever but that's getting taken care of. The TC55 is, for me, the prefect blend of power and agility. I am surprised at how small a turning radius it has - you can really spin it around! The front and back tires are loaded so I can keep the power to the ground and it helps it feel really stable.

The next attachment that I want is a rototiller. After that, maybe a bale spike.

Mike

 

[joes_427_vette]

Roadgear;
I'm a half a step ahead of you. I'm already researching rototillers of the 6 foot variety. I have a pto powered landscape rake which is almost a rototiller but it only goes down a couple inches. Great for making flat surfaces or seed beds. Just trying to decide who has the best value. I like the idea of gear drive and maybe this is the way to go.

 

[AndyMA]

I know there is a large group who think gear drive is superior. There is no real difference. In fact as an engineer and long time farmer I prefer heavy duty chain drive for ease and cost of repair. They are equal in terms of power transmission and the chain will absorb some small shocks.

Andy

 

[RoadGear]

Well jr, look what followed me home today -

A 6' King Kutter II. Andy, I know there are two camps about chain or gear drive but honestly, the choice was because of the price. My local Family, Farm and Home had the 6 foot KKII on sale for $1599.99 and we're farm exempt so - no tax either!

Mike

 

[AndyMA]

Well jr, look what followed me home today -

A 6' King Kutter II. Andy, I know there are two camps about chain or gear drive but honestly, the choice was because of the price. My local Family, Farm and Home had the 6 foot KKII on sale for $1599.99 and we're farm exempt so - no tax either!

Mike

Sounds good. I have had both and really couldn't tell the difference. My current tiller is a Landpride 1558 which is both too small and light duty for me but I barely use it and baby it

Andy

 

[RoadGear]

Just to update -

I had my local NH dealer order a new shuttle shift lever (reverser) for my TC55. I went and picked it up today and there is quite a difference between how this one is welded and my old lever.

The old lever was just spot welded to the mounting block and they didn't really get a good weld in the first place. On the new lever, the top of the mounting block is cut at an angle to match the bottom bend on the control lever so it sets flush with the top of the block. The weld bead runs along BOTH sides of the lever where it mates to the block - much better.

I am going to take the old lever and cut an angle to the top of the mounting block and weld the lever on like the they did with the new one. That way I can have a spare.

Mike

 

[joes_427_vette]

WOW !
Buy'n beats look'n. Here they are 1995 so you got a 4 hundred discount. I may have to wait til the end of the season as I hate paying full price for late pizza! That is the best price I found on a 6 foot tiller to date. I don't want to know what you paid for the 55.

 

[RoadGear]

WOW !
Buy'n beats look'n. Here they are 1995 so you got a 4 hundred discount. I may have to wait til the end of the season as I hate paying full price for late pizza! That is the best price I found on a 6 foot tiller to date. I don't want to know what you paid for the 55.

The only reason I'm bringing this up is because up to now, I have NEVER found deals. I got the 55 and 18LA FEL along with a Woods RM990 FM, a 72" Varnig rock bucket, a 72" dirt bucket and a 8' Western snowplow with power angle and a custom QA mount to fit the loader for $19 grand.

I waited all my life for that moment!

Oh, and the tiller was just icing on the cake. Am I a lucky guy or what?

Mike

 

[jinman]

Well jr, look what followed me home today -
A 6' King Kutter II. Andy, I know there are two camps about chain or gear drive but honestly, the choice was because of the price. My local Family, Farm and Home had the 6 foot KKII on sale for $1599.99 and we're farm exempt so - no tax either!

Mike

Did you remember to buy gear oil for both gearboxes? Also, the grease zerk on the side opposite the gearbox takes lots (LOTS!) of grease the first time. Don't forget to adjust the slip-clutch and check the gearbox cover bolts for tightness. After that, you are good to go. I paid the same amount fro my KKII tiller at TSC three years ago. You got another very good deal.

 

[RoadGear]

Did you remember to buy gear oil for both gearboxes? Also, the grease zerk on the side opposite the gearbox takes lots (LOTS!) of grease the first time. Don't forget to adjust the slip-clutch and check the gearbox cover bolts for tightness. After that, you are good to go. I paid the same amount fro my KKII tiller at TSC three years ago. You got another very good deal.

Yes sir Jim, I already had gear oil at home. I have a Ferguson TO-30 and a Cub Cadet 154 Lo-Boy and a 5' rotary mower and some other gear that need oil and grease so I was covered there.

You're right about that grease zerk! I didn't think that would EVER get filled up. I still need to adjust the slip-clutch and go over all the bolts. Probably going to have to wait on that for a couple of days - we're having a cook-out today for some of my wife's former co-workers (she's retired) and tomorrow's Mother's Day!

Mike

 

[Diesel-ME]

The only reason I'm bringing this up is because up to now, I have NEVER found deals. I got the 55 and 18LA FEL along with a Woods RM990 FM, a 72" Varnig rock bucket, a 72" dirt bucket and a 8' Western snowplow with power angle and a custom QA mount to fit the loader for $19 grand.

I waited all my life for that moment!

Oh, and the tiller was just icing on the cake. Am I a lucky guy or what?

Mike

Wow - that is an excellent deal!

~paul

 

[RoadGear]

Wow - that is an excellent deal!

~paul

Thanks for joining in Paul!

I've always listened to the other guy's talking about their great deals - I guess it was finally my turn!

Mike