Buying New NH Tractor

[GreenDuramax04]

Hello, My brother, father and I are going to be buying a new tractor in the next day or two. We've narrowed our selection down to two different NH tractors. One is a new 2003 TC35D and the other is a new 2004 TC40D. Both have HS transmissions with the LA16 loader. There is roughly a $2000 price difference in the two tractors. (Around $20,500 and $22,500).

My question is does the extra 5hp make much of a difference? Most of the work I'll will be doing is with the loader. My brother and father will use it for bush hog, finish cutting and light plowing and discing. My dealer tells me he's knocking $700 off of the price of the '03 TC35 which makes it look pretty attractive. But its also one year old already.

I'm not too experienced in tractors all thou I've be borrowing my father in laws TC45 for the past several years. But with the 0% financing who could pass up a new one?

Also, Is there any extra's I should ask for or any add ons that I may need for the future? Is there any room in tractor prices to negotiate like a car price?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jesse

 

[jinman]

Jesse, your price of $22,500 is very good for the new TC40DA. Both the TC40 and TC45 have more lift capacity at the 3PH and the FEL. The 4-cylinder engine is very smooth and you have lots of torque to work with at the PTO. I think if you have been using a TC45, you will be happy with the TC40. You might be disappointed with the TC35 since it's substantially less horsepower. I'm sure it would get the job done, but if you are spoiled by the TC45, that's what you'd expect.

Addons I strongly recommend are:
- Toothbar for loader bucket
- Remotes (at least two, three is maximum)
- Brush guard bumper
- a boxblade
- Top-n-tilt if you plan to do a lot of dirtwork.

I'm sure other folks will have more good suggestions. Those are just my favorites.

 

[Propertymaint]

I agree - go for the 4 cyl.! The price difference isn't a whole lot of difference when considering the big picture. In my opinion, I feel the three cylinder 35hp engine would be better suited for a golf course or large estate where it would be finish mowing 8hrs a day providing better fuel economy. I work my TC40D within its limits most of the time and I think this size tractor is more suited with a 4 cyl. engine. Just my opinion.
Good luck
Peter

 

[DocHeb]

My dealer didn't negotiate much since I bought on the "A-plan" - your experience may vary.

I think you will notice a big difference between your FIL's TC45 to the TC35.

You could count on using implements that are 1 foot wider with the TC40 over the TC35. That means you could use a 72" rototiller that would cover your tire tracks (instead of a 60"), an 84 or 93" finish mower (rather than a 72" mower) .... etc. The TC35 might be rated for these, but the extra 5hp will make a big difference in powering attachments - especially with ground engaging attachments such as plows. If you're going to do a lot of plowing I would recommend considering draft control. Search on "draft control" for recent posts. Also, a lot of plowing would probably be best done with Ag tires (R1's).

The "extra year" isn't too important - tractors are rated more by hours of operation rather than year of manufacture. Also, don't be too concerned if there are a few scratches on the paint of the loader, frame, etc..

 

[GreenDuramax04]

Thanks for all the advise.

I've talked to my father and brother, and it looks like we'll get the TC40d. I checked the paperwork and the dealer quoted us $23,000 for the TC40d with the quick-attach faceplate. I do think the extra $2k is worth the money in the long run.

As far as the add ons go, how much should I expect to pay for the remotes? What attachments will these remotes be able to operate in the future? Anything else I should ask for?

Thanks again for the help!

Jesse

 

[SteveBenson]

I have a TC40D and sometimes wish I had 5 extra HP MORE when brush hogging heavy grass. I definately wouldn't go for the TC35. After owning my TC40 for about three years I would say that I wouldn't want any less HP than I have on a tractor this size.

 

[DocHeb]

As per the Minnesota DOT Contract Pages for New Holland TC40D, TC40DA , list price (as of 09/03, page 6 of 17) for the first rear remote is $253, while 2nd and 3rd remotes are $213 each (list price). My dealer installed them for list. This is just for the remotes and the nice levers that fill your right fender slots. You will need cylinders and hoses to actually effect any hydraulic power. As to their uses, the first rear remote is often used for a hydraulic top link, and a second is commonly used to replace the screw "Tilt" mechanism on the right lift arm. This leads to "Top-n-Tilt". This would be a good search term to practice your TBN searching skills on.

Recent threads discuss rear remotes uses with:

log splitter
rear blade angle and tilt
Box blade angle and tilt
hydraulic post hole auger
hydraulic control of snow thrower chute
rear sweepers
boom pole angle/lifting
pallet forks
hi-lo adaptors for three point hitch
tree shears,

etc., etc.

The draft control for a TC40D is $455, while the TC40DA draft control lists for$558.

 

[GreenDuramax04]

Well its a done deal. We pick up the TC40DA Saturday. I added the brush guard and the tooth bar. I did not go with any remotes. We figure if we need them we will add them later. We did order a new trailer. Its a Pequa 18'. (I may have mis-spelled that).

Thanks for all the help you guys have given me.

Jesse

 

[Inspector507]

Jesse,
Possibly if the remotes are ordered now......no labor charge to install. If added later, you get to do it or pay the dealer to do it. On that size tractor, it's a whole bunch easier to add them later, than it was on my TC18. I sure wish I had done it at order time /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I added the brush guard and the tooth bar. )</font>

Congratulations! I think you ordered two very good add-ons. The remotes are not hard to install and you made an informed decision that you don't need them right now. It sounds to me like you are a pretty savvy shopper, and I think the hardest thing the three of you "partners" will negotiate is who gets to use the tractor first. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif