Price Check TC45A

[woolyAcres]

My dad is considering a used (2006 I think) New Holland TC45. I can't remember if it's an A, D, or AD, but I can tell you that it's 4WD with geared transmission. It has about 750 hours. I'd say it is in good to very good shape. The front tires (Ag) are worn (50%) and one of the front tires has a ~postage stamp size tear in it near the rim but it seems to be holding air fine; rear tires look pretty good (75%).

The sale includes a loader (16A/LA something like that), 6' brush hog (no slip clutch), 2 bottom plow, 5' roto-tiller, and possibly a set of disks. The implements are in decent but very used shape. Bucket on loader is standard 5-ft quick attach; no teeth or bar.

There are some small things on the tractor that aren't perfect, cracked/broken heat shield on the muffler, tail lights don't work, has been sitting outside so paint in/around 3-pt hitch is gone and is rusted but is structurally fine, cracked rear plastic fender, vinyl on seat is split.

On one occasion when he went to look at it, it smelled like an electrical fire and wouldn't start. Seller says the starter and ignition have now been replaced. On last visit it started up nicely, no smoke, loader behaved as expected.

Tractor has no rear remotes and tires are not filled. Asking price is $16,500. Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks,
Peter

 

[sweep]

Tractor has no rear remotes and tires are not filled. Asking price is $16,500. Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks,
Peter

I can't tell you if it is a good price but I love my 2006 TC45A. After reading about all the problems people seem to have with hydro tractors I love my geared tractor and would never consider anything else.

Couple things, I'm not to keen on a tractor that has sat outside since new.
and I would compare prices with those on tractorhouse.com. I have seen lots of 2006 model tractors with 175-300 hrs for about the same price, maybe a little, more but they have been kept inside and "babied more"

 

[doall]

I agree not a terrible price if tractor was great. It may be fine but sounds like they didn't take the best care of it. I bet its a 6 ft. bucket though.

 

[jinman]

It's a very good price with all the implements. It's very important to make sure the PTO works as well as all hydraulics. Also, put a weight on the 3PH and then turn off the engine to see if the 3PH drops. Do the same with the loader. The loader may drop or the bucket droop very slowly, but the 3PH should hold steady with no perceptible drop.

 

[woolyAcres]

sweep, doall, jinman-

Thanks for the comments. My dad made an offer and they've agreed on $16000 for the whole lot. He figures the implements are worth ~$1200-$1500 so he's getting the tractor/FEL for a ~$14.5k

Before he actually has to hand over the money he'll have a chance to make sure the PTO and hydraulics meet the test you've suggested. Although, I recall when we went to see it that the loader wasn't resting on the ground. I'm sure it will pass both those tests. Although it is great to know what to look for. It is a used tractor and has no warranty so making sure everything is in working order (as the seller claims) is a no-brainer. My dad actually talk to the dealership that sold and maintained the tractor and they explained the starter issue/fix and said it's a solid machine. They've done yearly maintenance on it.

BTW, jinman, congrats on being member of the month. And thanks for chiming in about the tractor. This resembles yours does it not?

My dad hopes to settle this on Tuesday and my mom is planning on spending Wednesday brush hogging the 10 acres next to the house.
Regards,
Peter

 

[jinman]

There are some small things on the tractor that aren't perfect, cracked/broken heat shield on the muffler, tail lights don't work, has been sitting outside so paint in/around 3-pt hitch is gone and is rusted but is structurally fine, cracked rear plastic fender, vinyl on seat is split. . .

BTW, jinman, congrats on being member of the month. And thanks for chiming in about the tractor. This resembles yours does it not?

Are you sure somebody isn't sellin' your dad my tractor?

Peter, my tractor sits outside and its looks aren't perfect, but there's nothing major wrong and mechanically it is a great tractor. However, my tractor is an HST model with deluxe features like tilt steering, swivel seat, padded operator platform, and an instrument panel with an actual temperature gage instead of an idiot light. The TC45A doesn't have those features.

 

[woolyAcres]

Jinman-

It's good to know that the guts are the same and that looks aren't everything.

I don't know what features it has (tilt steering, adjustable seat, etc) except that I made him promise he'd only audition tractors that had telescoping 3-pt hitch. All these years putting on implements I think he's been lucky rather than smart and his back isn't as strong as it used to be so being able to get "close" rather than dragging a brush hog, or back blade, wood box, or even plow 3" to make it meet up will hopefully be over....

Again, that's for the tests. I think he's going to try to settle this deal on Tuesday and find a way to get it 25 miles back to his place. If all goes well, he should have it early this week.

Regards,
Peter

 

[woolyAcres]

Jinman-

Are you digging a pond in your avatar or are you just playing in the mud?

p

 

[sweep]

Peter, my tractor sits outside and its looks aren't perfect,

Jinman, a tractor that sits out in Texas is a way different situation than one which sits out in Western PA. I live in Eastern Ohio and would never buy a tractor that has sat outside it's entire life. Winters and rain are brutal on tractors up here.

 

[jinman]

Jinman-

Are you digging a pond in your avatar or are you just playing in the mud?

p

I had a dozer in to clean silt out of a pond and he left me a lot of loose silt on the sides of the pond (some places 4' deep). I used my tractor to remove the loosened silt there and shape the sides nicely.