50 HR Service on TC-30

[Kevin_in_VA]

I am rapidly coming up to the 50 HR point on my TC-30. I bought it from an out of state dealer, and have heard horror stories from some of you who have had warranty service done by the non-selling dealer. I was thinking of doing the service myself. What is involved? Should I send it to my local dealer anyway? I also don't have a trailer (or anything to tow one with for that matter), should I expect the dealer to pick it up or arrange for transportation myself (he's about 25 miles away)?

 

[mahlers]

The 50-hour service is really easy and you could do it yourself. Order the filters and fluids (if needed) from a NH dealer and keep the receipts in case there's ever a question of whether you did the service or not. It's not much more difficult than changing the oil on your car - so don't be afraid to do it. Keep a maintenance log in the tractor and note the date and hours that you did the service, and also note the filter part numbers and fluids that were installed. A few years down the road, you'll be really happy that you have that maintenance log to look back on...

 

[jinman]

Kevin, I would suggest you also buy a copy of the tractor Repair Manual for the TC30. When doing service or other repairs it will be a very handy aid. It's expensive, but not nearly so expensive as making a mistake and messing something up.

 

[yellowdog99502]

Kevin, just a little heads up on the TC-30 oil filter. BEFORE you try to change the oil filter get a filter wrench that grabs the end of the filter. The old stand-by grab from the side types just will not fit in space provided without some choice words, and those really didn't help much!

Other than that, piece of cake. The service chart calls for changing just the hydraulic filter(s) (main and HST, if you have it) and not the oil. Your choice, I had the oil on hand and did it. Gave a sample of the old oil to a friends lab, came back clean.

 

[hockeyhead]

I did my 50 hours on my TC-30 myself, piece of cake, repair manual very good idea /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, I don't have all those tools in my garage for nothing! Change the engine oil at 50 hours or now, break in period!!. I bought out of state also, the local dealer told me he will do any warranty work required, as I have bought my fluids and filters and some rear remotes there. Rightly so, now that I own a newholland tractor he will see me regularly but don't expect free transportation that's reserved for tractors that he sold. Hey My tc-30 is 13 months old, 146 hours,brushhogging, plowing , grading, tilling, post hole digging, moving gravel and dirt, this ain't no finish mower,
no warranty issues, I love it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MNnAR]

Kevin: I totally agree with the comments of the posters before me. I did my 50-hour service on my TC-30 this past Memorial Day weekend – it was real simple. I second the comment regarding an oil filter wrench – you’ll need the round (cap) type that fits on the end of the oil filter. The limited access doesn’t allow for the strap, wrap-around band type filter wrench. Probably the hardest thing I had to contend with was removing the engine access panel on the right side of the engine so I could have better access to the oil filter. The access panel is held down by two wing nuts – I just couldn’t believe how tight they were locked down from the factory. I ended up using two pairs of vice grips attaching one to each wing of the nut and turning at the same time to get those wing nuts loose without bending them. I finally managed but it took a lot of patience. When you change the fuel filter just follow the instructions in your owner’s manual regarding fuel filter change and bleeding air from the fuel line. It’s a simple step-by-step process. For budget planning purposes my four OEM filters (engine oil, hydraulic, HST and fuel) cost $63.00 plus tax at the local NH dealer. The costs would be less if you have a gear-type transmission. I’m confident you’ll find servicing your machine as easy as the rest of us have. Good luck!

 

[brad_oatley]

How much is the manual?

 

[Kevin_in_VA]

Thanks for all of the encouraging information. I'll be picking up my filters and fluids today. Doing the service next weekend. Anyone done this with the loader installed? Looks like it would be a little tight.

 

[MNnAR]

Kevin: I have a 7308 loader on my TC-30. You’re right it was a little tight but manageable. The only part that created a little bit of a challenge was getting access to the engine oil filter. As long as you have a filter wrench as described in the previous post and remove the right side panel off the engine, you should be able to get to the engine oil filter just fine – even with the loader!