TC29 won't move

Bwilliams58 · Apr 30, 2015

im new to tractor ownership and have about 3 hrs on the TC29 I bought recently. The two times I have been on it bus hogging my 6 acres have resulted in periods where the tractor refuses to move forward or backwards. The first time I just shut it off for maybe thirty minutes and let it cool down. It resumed normal ops and I finished. Today...I left it in the field after trying to cool it again. It has loader and 5ft mower on back and has struck me as " under powered" since day one. I grew up on rice farm in Ark and I'm used to tractors running like mules....or until you just ran them into the ground. My NH seems overwhelmed by normal light duty. Any opinions on whether I didn't buy enough tractor to bush hog, have too much weight on a little tractor or drum roll....I bought a sick tractor and it's not making horsepower or is not getting to the equipment (trains or otherwise)? I can't bear a part time work tractor! Ideas or comments please!!

mikim · Apr 30, 2015

I assume it's used? ...from a dealer?....no ideas for ya ...but doesn't sound right fer sure

k0ua · Apr 30, 2015

Sick tractor. What transmission? Last fluid and filter change? How many hours? What else have you tried?

Bwilliams58 · Apr 30, 2015

k0ua said:
Sick tractor. What transmission? Last fluid and filter change? How many hours? What else have you tried?

Manual 4 speed. Not sure on fluids or filters as I bought it from used tractor EBay gig here in Houston area. It shows only 324 hrs on the tractor and that was part of selling point. I haven't done anything with it but will probably have New Holland dealer come get it. They are less than 10 miles from my place. Would just rather it not be as involved and expensive as new clutch!

Bwilliams58 · Apr 30, 2015

Sorry...3 speed!

Bwilliams58 · Apr 30, 2015

Sorry...3 speed!

barbqranch · Apr 30, 2015

Does it crank? If it died suddenly, it is most likely one of the various safety switches. The one under the seat is a common problem.

Change the fuel filter and add diesel fuel additive, particularly if it died slowly. Then you have to bleed the fuel system, the manual tells how.

If you don't have a manual, get one. Usually available on eBay.

I have a 5 foot brush hog on my tc29D, and it does ok. But it is slow work in heavy grass.

k0ua · May 1, 2015

okay, let's make sure we understood what you said. If the engine is running and the engine does not bogged down when you attempt to move but the tractor refuses to move as you let out the clutch and it is a gear drive transmission tractor, then I would say the clutch has a problem. Which is apparently what you think is wrong with it also. Push against an immovable object, tree, big rock etc. Slowly let out clutch in lowest gear, do the tires spin, ? engine lug down? What happens?

Bwilliams58 · May 1, 2015

It never died...in fact the engine runs great. It just reaches a period where, in gear and with power applied, it will not move forward or backward. It's probably the clutch but just don't understand why it works for a while and then nothing. Seems that you can let it cool down and it works again. Gonna have it hauled to the shop and serviced. Just didn't know what to expect when it gets there. Sounds like I should expect to get my wallet out!

barbqranch said:
Does it crank? If it died suddenly, it is most likely one of the various safety switches. The one under the seat is a common problem.

Change the fuel filter and add diesel fuel additive, particularly if it died slowly. Then you have to bleed the fuel system, the manual tells how.

If you don't have a manual, get one. Usually available on eBay.

I have a 5 foot brush hog on my tc29D, and it does ok. But it is slow work in heavy grass.

redvoodoo378 · May 1, 2015

In the TC29, your transmissions and rear axle lubricant and hydraulic fluid are one in the same...all 37 gallons of it. The filter is on the right hand side, approx. under the seat. You will see it if you look between the right rear tire and the rear axle inside the fender. The dipstick for this is under/behind the seat-sort of under the left hand corner, check the oil level....BUT....if the tractor had been sitting for long periods without use, you can get a lot of moisture from condensation inside the axle/transmission. Quarts to gallons worth over time. Especially if the tractor had been stored outdoors without cover. I have experienced this.
The water separates from the oil and sits in the bottom of the axle/transmission case when the tractor is sitting. Once you use the tractor, the water and oil churn together. This could be your issue.
When you shut the tractor off, the water and oil separate again and operation returns to normal.

Changing the oil and filter might remedy your issue. I got my filter at the local NAPA dealer and my local WalMart stocked the transmission/axle oil in 5 gal containers...My tractor took 7 1/2 jugs. Easier than changing oil in your car because no jack needed.

When this happened to me, it also started blowing out o-rings in my hydraulic couplers.

Just my experience, your mileage may vary...as they say.