35D or 40D?

[Hightech]

Hello Forum, I've been reading posts for a while and finally decided to join in and ask a question or two, or three, etc.
I've been a year saving $$ and deciding which compact I want to spend my hard earned money on. I've narrowed it down to the TC 35D or TC 40D (no SS). I'm wondering if the extra $1600 (as quoted) for the 40 is worth it. Of you who have used them, can you tell a big difference in the extra 5HP? I'll be getting it set up with 16la loader, 758 backhoe, and a box blade to do most of the work I will ask of it. So, is the extra 5HP the way to go or not? Thanks for all the input.

 

[jinman]

Danny, I would say the TC40D is NOT worth $1,600 over the TC35D. You will need all the extra power you can get to run your backhoe and FEL, but not for that price. I do think the extra 5 hp is significant, but you need to talk your dealer down to $500 to $700 difference. Let him think you are going to buy orange instead and see if he can be convinced to give you a more reasonable price. Good luck!


JimI

 

[drtractor]

Hightech:

My advice would be to compare the TC40D to the TC45D, not the 35. The reason is the backhoe. I have a 35 (gear) and it does quite well with a blade and FEL but using a backhoe is quite a different load.

I realise that this is going the other way but given your needs, I think it would suit you better.

As far as pricing, I agree that a $750 to $1000 spread would be equitable (35D to 40D).

Good luck,
drtractor

 

[Duckhunter]

I can't speak to the 35D but can comment on the 40D. I feel the 40 is the best choice because the price difference is minimal considering you get a 4 cyl vs a 3 cyl. NH does not post torque specs, but I would guess the extra cylinder helps in this area. I am trading up from a TC40D to the TC45D to get even 5 more HP on the same size tractor. (Shipped from the factory on 9/5/01, can't wait.) I feel you should go for all the power you can get until the size of the tractor is too big, especially with Hydro.
By the way, I think not buying the Supersteer option is a mistake. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have never talked to or seen a post by anyone who has a tractor with Supersteer who would give it up. On the other hand, I have seen many comments by people who do not have it or only did a test drive advise againt buying it. I have owned it and am buying it again. It is absolutely the best feature on the tractor. I have owned an Orange B1800, Orange 2550, Blue 1720, and now a TC40D. This 45D is the last one I intend on buying.
Just my opinion, hope it helps.

 

[Duckhunter]

I know I am going to start something here, but I noticed you were considering a NH 758 Backhoe. I bought a Woods 9000 with a self contained pump on my dealers advise. The dealer ordered it painted blue to match the tractor and claimed it was a heavier piece of equipment. I do not know much about the 758 but know my Woods is a workhorse. Consider looking it over and comparing price etc.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I really didn't study your post to see your specific application, but I can tell you that 5 HP on a diesel is generally big stuff. It's something like 25 HP on a car. A little more torque goes a long way on a tractor.

I'm already studying mine to see if there's room for a little Garrett turbo charger on my TC29. <grinnin' like a possum>

Good luck!

 

[Hightech]

Thanks Guys,
All good advise. I figured I'd get it here. I guess the 35D is out. The 40D is in.(as for now) Just have to haggle a bit more. I want the future option of using the mid PTO. If NH ends up putting that on the 45D by the time I buy, I'll probably move on up to it. The dealer did mention the Woods backhoe. I'll take a look at it. And as for Super Steer, given the terrain here, the closest dealer doesn't even order them in. They said our hills, SS, and loaders do not agree too often. Too easy to turn over? At least that's what they told me. One thing is that I still have some time to decide all this.
Again,Thanks
Danny

 

[Anonymous Poster]

the ss on these tractors is very stable your dealer just wants to sell you what he can get easiest ss steers are harder to get but worth the wait

 

[Duckhunter]

I agree with Rickyl25. I have 16 acres od some tough hills and ditches. NO stability problems with my Supersteer. Like any tractor, you have to be careful. I think mine has gotten me out of tough situations that standard steering would not have. I know it's a lot of money, but for me it's the last tractor I am going to buy. My dealer has always tried to sell what he has in stock or knows he can transfer in. Wait on what you want. They do not order extras so they can quote lower prices on units in stock. Once the word gets out on how good it is, they will learn.
The 40 has plenty of power if the mid PTO is a must. The extra cylinder is the biggest bonus.
Ken

 

[djradz]

I have a 40D and can't imagine needing anything more for any kind of project short of pulling a 4-bottom plow, and in that case the tires/wheels probably can't get enough traction anyway. Previously I had a 1720 and only on a few occasions did I wish I had more, so I bought the 40D. Probably not entirely necessary, but what a beautiful machine. I'm not sure of the difference in price to go to the 45, but if it's much, I wouldn't do it. What you'll find, as many have posted elsewhere, is that the limiting factor in all these is the transmission high pressure relief, which is set the same for all three tractors. All the lift and pump specs are the same as well between the 40D and 45D, so your not gaining anything there. Lastly, unless you are planning on doing a tremendous amount of mowing, in really tight quarters, (which a tractor the size of these is not well suited for anyway) what do you need Supersteer for? It does certainly add some manuverability, but I think if you test drive a regular 40D you'll be impressed how sharp a turn it can make without Supersteer. If you get it and turn that sharp, at least on lawn, likely the sod will be flying anyways. My advice, keep it simple. Hope this helps. By the way, the dealer's cost differential between the 35D and 40D tractors is something on the order of $1,200, so you'll probably have difficulty in getting it down much under that, but hey, it's certainly worth a try.

 

[dieselpwr]

Hightech

I am just wondering why you are only looking at one brand. I would give the others a chance before making a decision. I have blue & can truthfully say I'm not satisfied.

Troy

 

[John_Mc]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

I have blue & can truthfully say I'm not satisfied.

<hr></blockquote>

Troy - mind sharing with us what you are doing with your tractor, and why you are not satisfied?

 

[dieselpwr]

I am not satisfied with a lot of things. I have had what I consider to be a large number of problems with the machine. Some due to manufacturer defects & others to dealership incompetence. The other issue is the fact that I have found the hydro tranny to be usless to pull anything that offers resistance (the engine keeps screaming but the wheels quit moving). The latest problem I had was blowing a valve the dealer installed in the cooling system (not made for hi-temp. applications), which caused all the coolant to run out while running & getting the engine really hot before the temp. guage could tell the story. (they don't register much without coolant) My machine now has an engine that runs like it has a couple thousand hours on it rather than the 70 it. I want a new machine & the dealer tells me it is worth almost $4000 less now than a new one on trade & they are not willing to move much - even though half of the problems I have had were their fault. I have a very bitter tast in my mouth from dealing with Griesbach Equipment & New Holland. It has come down to "I guess maybe you have a right to be upset, but there just is nothing we can do about it" - from NH & the dealer. Outside of having problems with the engine, transmition, instruments & loader - everything else has worked good I guess even if it doesn't hold its value... not that it leaves much else to break on the thing.

That is the short answer to why I am not satisfied with blue. They are just like Yugos. Cheap to buy compared to the others but you pay eventually... boy do you end up paying.

Troy

 

[WoodDawg]

Sorry you have had so much trouble. I am fast approaching my 50 hr service and have not had a single problem with my TC40, and my dealer has been great also. I think you will find that's the story with most of the Blue Tractor owners. Anyone else having problems with there Blue machines?
Mark

 

[Farmer_Giles]

I have a TC33D which just passed the 50 hour mark. Other than the flasher unit failing ($1.49 at Auto Zone) I've had zero problems. I've also enjoyed the HST and don't have any power problems. I guess there's a lemmon in every batch.

 

[DVerbarg]

WoodDawg,

I have a TC40D and the only problems I had were my own fault (such as ripping a hydraulic line when working in timber). There was the recall but am willing to give them credit for fixing it even though it did not seem to affect me.

I think that Troy got a lemon (the wheels should not stop spinning if the engine is still going in I/turtle or I/rabbit range), has a dealer that is not standing behind some work they did, and think that he may have bought too small. I believe that Troy has a few acres (40ish) that a TC45 would be OK for depending on how the operator likes to work. I would not recommend a HST for someone who wants to routinely pull a bottom plow, the HST is too inefficient for that type of work.

For my use (now over 250 hrs) I am quite happy with my TC40D. When digging in clay I do occassionally wish that I had tracks, an extra 50hp, and a bucket that holds 3 cubic yrds...

DaveV

 

[Hightech]

Howdy Folks,
It's been a while since I've wrote. Anyway, been doing some more homework. I hate to bring up an old thread but I figured it was easier to reply too. "Ya'll" was right about the 40D to 45D comparison over 35D to 40D. I'm considering the 45D now (O' Boy!). Still believe the SS option is a "no go". I really don't think the SS would be of benefit to me. I don't have anything that facilitates tight manuvering. The backhoe/loader debate is my main objective: I DO like the Woods 9000. 200 dollars higher. But I'd say it's worth it. Definitely heavier. I plan to move a "lot" of dirt over the next few years, but I do not intend to hurt anything trying to do it all at once. (I have time) Will the 40D's HP handle the backhoe (Woods 9000) and loader(16LA) without any problems? Or would the 45D be the best choice? I do hate making all these choices but at least with this website one can ask questions and be better informed when talking to "the man" who's "going" to take your money!
Thanks for all the input,
Danny

 

[AndyMA]

My dealer sells both Blue and Orange and takes good care of my machines. I presently have a 2120 and a TNS75SS. Go for the bigger frame and all the power you can get. Having had a 1710, I can tell you the step up to the 2120 was huge. There are still alot of 2120's around and if you want a good machine for a backhoe, you might want to consider it- it has a much stronger/larger frame than any of the Boomers. My 2120 is 14 years old and worth almost what I paid for it, so perhaps there is a lot of initial depreciation, but I think they hold there value in the long run. I love the SuperSteer on my new TNS75 and wouldn't buy again without it. The only real problem is trying to "mate" to the quick attach buckets, forks etc- it tends to jump sideways when trying to make the final adjustment.

I had a 758 backhoe and it was good for many years- the frame attach was a real pain to mount. The Woods backhoes are excellent-My 75 has a Woods 1050 on it and it is one of the smoothest & strongest hoes I have used. Bent a bucket curl cylinder, but it was overnighted in and replaced under warranty in the field the next day.

 

[AndyR]

I am running the Woods 9000 on anL3710 Kubota. Works great, no problems. I bought the 9000 slightly used (10 hours) and it came with the PTO pump. Now I'm glad it did as having the 'hoes hydraulics as a seperate system makes sense to me. BTW - I had looked at the 40D when I making my purchase but ended up going with the L3710 due to lower center of gravity (we got a few hills here too) and MUCH smoother hydrostratic transmission. I would say you would be fine with either machine you mention for use with the 9000, though I would lean toward more horsepower if you can swing it. Sounds like you got a few things to do...

Andy in NH

 

[djradz]

Danny, my advice is to go with the 40D. You get the 4 cyl engine, added HP and the mid-pto capability. Also, don't expect to get the dealer to drop his price a whole lot less than the $1,500 difference from the 35 to 40. I still think his invoiced differencial is something like $1,200. I bought my 40D on what was left of the old Ford A plan and so I got to see the dealer pricing. I still think the $1,200 to $1,500 addition would be worth it, but not the added cost to go all the way to the 45D. I believe the 45D has the same engine block with just a longer stroke. The 40 and 45 have the same hydraulic pump, same 3-pt lift capacity, same hydro pump with same relief valve setting. Obviously, you get see the added 5 hp at the PTO, but for pushing and pulling, the hydro system relief valve is set at the same pressure, so my guess is you'll hit the relief on the pump in all but the lowest range, before you truly see the added 5hp. Just my experience. Good luck with your choice.