Bought a D40 Today

[AKtinman]

After much procrastination and many hours studying the posts on this forum, I bought a new D40 today. I looked at NH, JD, and Kubota, as well. The NH was about $1000 higher in cost, and I liked the layout and ergonomics of the D40 over the JD and Kubota. Getting a $300 credit off the top from Case because I am a Farm Bureau member didn't hurt, either!

Bought the 116 FEL, and a box blade, and the dealer included a hay spear. This is to replace my old 8N with Dearborn FEL. MAJOR step up! Or maybe I should say an EASY step up, as I will no longer have to climb on the tractor from the rear

I still have the attachments I used with the 8N, and now am wanting a rock bucket, but I will post my query about that item on the Attachments forum.

Delivery is for tomorrow afternoon. I probably won't sleep tonight

I have been mostly lurking for the past year and a half, and doing lots of learning. Thanks to all for the pleasant education!

Ron

 

[lhfarm]

Boy are you going to have fun. I started with an 8N and a Wagner loader, then went to a Ford 4000 with FEL. I thought that was a gaint step. Then I got my NHTC40DA. It is a whole new world. Post pictures and report on your first few hours.

 

[jinman]

Ron, I know you must be anxious to get your tractor. I pass Hendershot every day going/coming to/from work and I've noticed the rock bucket in the air on his lot. I have one I bought from McMaster with a grapple and I love it. You'll need filled rear tires and a good boxblade or similar for additional ballast. Those rock buckets are very heavy.

 

[AKtinman]

Greg delivered the D40 about 2:30 today and spent about an hour with me, going over all the details of the tractor, the majority of which we had gone over previously on the lot. Very pleasant to do business with and very professional. I have nothing negative to say about the other 3 dealers (Blue, Green, Orange) in the area, this just worked out best for me.

After a quick review of the controls I took a drive around the place as a familiarity check. My first task was to move some stumps to the burn pile, then smooth out the backfilled trench from the well to the barn. I went slow to get the feel of the new rig, and it is an incredible step up from the 8N.

Jim, the rock bucket in the air at Hendershot weighs close to 700 lbs. It is the "Edge" brand, and is manufactured by Virnig. I called Virnig today and they gave me the names of some of their dealers, and I called the one in Weatherford, who will give me a quote on the SRV60-CT. Virnig said they retailed around $800. This bucket is 60 inches wide and weighs 330 lbs.

Specs on the Rhino boxblade list it as 477 lbs. I know I need more weight in the rear, but I am a bit undecided on how to do it. I've got some mesquites to clear (who doesn't) and I am concerned about fixing flat tires with some of the antifreeze, etc solutions. On the other hand, putting slime or something similar in the tires won't allow filling with weighty liquids. Maybe I am missing something here...

I've got enough projects going that the D40 is going to have to just get occasional use for the next month or so. Still, logged 2.5 hours today. I LIKE it!

Jim, I am not far from 101 and get up to the ice house on 287 at Sunset a couple of times a month or so for the "John Wayne" burger. Maybe I can buy you a cup of coffee or Dr. Pepper sometime.

Ron

 

[AKtinman]

How about some pix:

 

[AKtinman]

I didn't get the canopy as the ROPS has to be folded to get into my barn. I will build my own canopy this spring. I figure on adding a tool box and making a grille guard. Also welding some hooks on the bucket. Rear remotes will be added as well.

 

[Thomas]

Good morning Ron.
Congrats on your new investment...she looks like a beauty.

 

[jinman]

Jim, the rock bucket in the air at Hendershot weighs close to 700 lbs. It is the "Edge" brand, and is manufactured by Virnig. I called Virnig today and they gave me the names of some of their dealers, and I called the one in Weatherford, who will give me a quote on the SRV60-CT. Virnig said they retailed around $800. This bucket is 60 inches wide and weighs 330 lbs.

Specs on the Rhino boxblade list it as 477 lbs. I know I need more weight in the rear, but I am a bit undecided on how to do it. I've got some mesquites to clear (who doesn't) and I am concerned about fixing flat tires with some of the antifreeze, etc solutions. On the other hand, putting slime or something similar in the tires won't allow filling with weighty liquids. Maybe I am missing something here...

Jim, I am not far from 101 and get up to the ice house on 287 at Sunset a couple of times a month or so for the "John Wayne" burger. Maybe I can buy you a cup of coffee or Dr. Pepper sometime.

Ron, the pictures of your tractor next to that old 8N really tell a story. Your productivity with the loader is gonna "skyrocket" in no time. I have a another distant neighbor who bought a D40 about two years ago. I don't talk to him much, but I think I can see the smile on his face from a mile away while he is using it.

You aren't the person who bought my old industrial Ford 4000 with a loader are you? He worked for the railroad, and I can't remember his name...just checked his business card and his name was Ken, so it wasn't you.

Did you get the QA loader? I can't tell from the distant picture on the trailer. Also, if you decide to get a grapple for your brush, you will need at least one rear remote. If you want to operate one, just PM me and I'll give you my phone number and address so you can stop by and "play" with mine that I mounted on my rock bucket. The rock bucket does weigh about 500 lb and the QA adapter for it is another 100 lb. With my grapple, I'm up to around 750 lb. That's a lot for the 16LA on my NH and leaves me with only about 1200 lb of lift capacity. However, you can do a lot with that much. My rock bucket is a S-Houle brand, but I think they buy them from someone else because I've seen the identical rock bucket with another brand name on it. Mine was about $1500. If you can get the lighter Virnig for much less, it might be the best in the long run.

I understand why you don't want to load your rear tires, but I think the benefit far outweighs the alternative of not having the ballast. I operated my TC45D without ballast for over two years and it's a different tractor with the ballast; much more stable. I don't have hardly any mesquites, so your situation is different. I have some sealer that has "chunks" in it that I got from McMaster NH. It does a good job of sealing leaks, but I don't know how it would work with filled tires. Maybe someone at Decatur Tire or some other tire specific place that does a lot of farm tires might have some ideas for you. If you don't go with filled rears, I'd sure look at putting wheel weights on the rear before using the rock bucket much.

When you say you come up to the "Ice House," are you referring to the Texas Pickup down 287 toward Alvord? I know they have a John Wayne burger, but my favorite is their hickory burger. I also like the Hot Skillet down at the truckstop too. We frequent both of those restaurants and all the ones in Bowie too. I don't get down toward Chico or Bridgeport much though. I do go to Park Springs for every election.

Give me a PM and we'll get together for that cup of coffee sometime.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Ron,
Very nice lookin machine !!! Almost dont want to get her dirty

Good Luck with your new machine!

 

[Doc_Bob]

How about some pix:

Have fun! nice machine.
Bob

 

[AKtinman]

Thanks all for your kind words.

I did get the QA loader. Rear remotes will definitely get added, probably at the 50 hour inspection. I will probably add rear wheel weights and add sealer to the tires. I think that is the best compromise for my situation. About 12 acres in coastal bermuda and 70 acres of pastureland with small mesquites and grass.

Ellis Equipment in Weatherford ordered a SRV60-CT rock bucket with the universal skid steer attachment, so it will hook up to the LX116 loader. 2 weeks lead time for Virnig to manufacture it, then ship, so it will be "under the Christmas tree". $800 plus shipping which is estimated at $150+-.

Also found some chain hooks for the bucket. These are flat on one side, intended for welding. Now, if I can remember how to run a bead...

Jim, if you drive 101 from Park Springs to Sunset, when you cross 287, the gas station and store at the intersection is the place I was referring to. Growing up in South Texas, 7-11's and similar were referred to as "Ice Houses". In fact there was a chain named "Lone Star Ice House". I guess the name was a hold-over from the days before refrigerators were common.

I'll drop you a PM.

Ron

 

[Kubotasrking]

How about some pix:

Could hardly tell the difference between the old and new...

Very nice machine. Congratulations.

 

[AKtinman]

Could hardly tell the difference between the old and new...

Yeah, they both are about the same size. I figure the D40 is like a new 8N on steroids

No play, err, work today. Icy roads and supposedly some snow. I'll probably venture out and check out the place and see if rumors of snow are true - 'course I could call a neighbor and ask, but that would take all the fun out of it.

Regards

Ron

 

[daTeacha]

One of the "red" dealers near here has a salesman who is a little pushy -- he's the main reason I got my DX from the other dealer. He kept wanting me to get the D40 they had on the lot despite the fact that it was too big for my woods and barn. I thought it was a nice tractor at a good price, just a little too big. Looks like you have a lot of room to let it run, though. Enjoy!

 

[BTDT]

How about some pix:

Why is the box blade bolted on? (3rd pic).

 

[Kahuna]

What is the difference between a D40 and DX 40? What is the hp (real and PTO) and what would I expect to pay? Those who have them seem satisfied.

 

[AKtinman]

Why is the box blade bolted on? (3rd pic).

Hmmm... The same question I asked my salesman. He got me the correct pins - said someone had stolen the pins off the boxblade when it was on display.

I get a little testy when things aren't "right", and personally, would have never delivered the unit with the wrong "pins".

 

[AKtinman]

What is the difference between a D40 and DX 40? What is the hp (real and PTO) and what would I expect to pay? Those who have them seem satisfied.

I'm no expert, and from memory, the D40 has a "shuttle shift" (manual transmission with clutch) and the DX40 has an "automatic" transmission. The engine HP is the same, but the DX40 loses around 3 HP at the PTO due to the transmission. The DX has armrests on the seat, and a step on the right side of the tractor, as well as the left side. The D model only has one step, though I bought one for the right side (~$10.00).

The DX40 didn't interest me, so I really didn't pay much attention to it. I think the DX was around $2000 - $3000 more than the D model.

I've got 24 hours on the D40 now and really like it. Downside is no place for tool box, chain stowage, tool stowage. But, that's part of the fun of building stuff yourself. I've already got a tool box mount mentally designed and some of the parts made for it. Just gotta finish it up and get it mounted. Might be a few weeks off, but I'll post pix when it gets done.

 

[Todd_C]

I have a TC 40A that I got a few months ago. I love my new tractor too. I have a custom toolbox mounted behind the seat. A bed frame was cut and welded together and then mounted to the ROPS with the two existing brackets. There are several toolboxes that will fit this setup. I have pictures under CUSTOMIZATION. Enjoy your new toy.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

I was going to buy the D40 because I always liked a gear shift. But when you get the gear shift, they take away the toolbox, the pivoting suspension seat also the covers for the hydraulic and shift controls. They put in a taller and different dash gauge setup, the telescopic lift arms become an option and they remove the rubber floor mat. It starts to remind me of a tractor from the seventies with all the controls exposed they even put in cheaper headlights. They call it the economy model. Just because someone likes a gearshift doesn't necessarily mean they wouldn't like the other options, doesn't make sense to me. I bought the DX 40 because of this reason. It hasn't been delivered yet, hope I like the hydro after I get used to it, others on this site were unsure of a hydro, but say they wouldn't go back after owning one, hope that's me.
I'm sure Case has researched this before making the economy model, but you would think with an assembly line process and stocking parts it would be cheaper to make as many of the parts the same as possible.