Ford 3,000 - TC45DA - TC55DA

CJ4 · Oct 17, 2005

Gentlemen,

I'm new to this forum and I am totally addicted to it after spending hours of reading posts. I'm in the market for a new tractor. I have an old early 70's Ford 3,000 that my dad bought when i was a kid. I grew up on that tractor and the dang thing just keeps going and going. A few months ago I bought a new Bush Hog front end loader for it to use this past summer on 21 acres of solid woods that we purchased. I've been itching to buy a new tractor for some time and should have done it before I spent the $$$ on the loader but hindsight is 20/20 huh??

I went to my local NH dealer this w/e and drove the TC45DA, hydro, 17LA FEL, super steer and a TC55DA EHSS.

Here's my issues:

1. My perception of that ole Ford 3,000 2wd is that it's tough and strong as heck and will I be happy with the TC45DA or will I be better off with the TC55DA????

2. I'm concerned that the 45 with the 17 loader won't be enough horse for what i'm wanting to do. I'm hauling some huge stumps loaded with dirt in them now with the 3,000 and it's straining with a big heavy brush hog on the back and filled tires. Will their be much noticeable difference in the 45 w/17 loader vs. 55 w/18 loader???

3. I first thought I couldn't live without a hydo trans until I went and drove it vs the 55 with EHSS. To my surprise, the hydro took alot of continual effort on the pedal and was slow in reverse on the pedal. I guess i'm gettin old and weak but that concerns me in the long run running that tractor all day. I was just imagining driving the gear 55........it has a foot accelerator pedal and with the EHSS, i'm not sure it wouldn't be even easier to operate. What your thoughts????

4. I still like alot of the bells & whistles on the 45 vs the 55 (like super steer) but really wishy washy on which way to go and which one will please me the best.

5. My dealer voluntarily admitted my 3,000 was one of the best kept he's seen in along time but only offered me $5,000 trade in. With a new loader with bucket and forks that cost me over $4,000 installed what is a good price for this Ford 3,000??? He priced the TC45DA for $25,200 with the 17LA loader and the TC55DA EHSS with the 18LA loader for $27,200. I think he's about $2,500 too high......Am I correct???

Hope I didn't break any rules by being too long winded here!!
Thanks

jinman · Oct 17, 2005

CJ4, welcome to the forums. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It sounds like you have a lot of tractor experience and you know what you need. Finding the perfect tractor to do those jobs should be fairly easy, but too many brands and options can make what should be an easy job way too tough. I'll give you my opinion, but probably your own impressions are going to be the best determining factors for your buying decision.

The TC45DA that you described has SuperSteer. That tractor's loader (the 17LA) is longer and will have a little less breakout and lift power than the 16LA. Actually, for loader work, the TC40DA will do everything the TC45DA will do. There is no difference in the transmission relief pressures on the hydrostatic, so the TC40DA has just as much push power and loader power as the 45. The only difference between the tractors is power to the PTO. I own a TC45D, but if I had known what I know now, I'd have the TC40D.

Either the TC40DA or TC45DA with the hydrostatic transmission will give you a continuously variable speed that cannot be beat for loader work. In my opinion, the control the hydro pedal gives you to creep up to something and control the loader cannot be matched by a gear drive tractor. Being able to keep your right hand on the joystick, your left on the steering wheel, and your right foot on the hydro pedals gives you full control without moving your hands. You can concentrate all your attention on what you are doing rather than operating the tractor. That said, you are limited in power and lift with the hydro tractor.

I may get beat up for suggesting it, but I think before you make your final decision, you should go by the Kubota dealer and drive a 5030 HST. Check out the loader options for that tractor too.

The TC55 EHSS is also a good choice for you since you are so used to gear drive transmissions. That just might be your best all-around choice for operation and a loader that will do what you need. The 18LA is a very impressive loader. I like that tractor a lot even if it isn't a hydro. Because it's a gear drive, the price is not way above the Class III hydro tractors. You can also get all of its power to the ground which you can't do with a hydro. It seems like a large tractor for 21 acres, but it also might just spoil you since you are used to the 3000.

I think the best price on your 3000 would be had by putting an ad in the local paper or maybe even offer it on ebay. By selling your own tractor, you will get the highest price. If you don't have to have another tractor very soon, I think that would be the best choice. Then, you can deal on a new tractor with cash.

I also think your prices are high, but I'd say the TC45DA is about $1,500 high and the TC55 EHSS is about $2000 high. Dealing in cash with no trade-in should bring you the best price. A little competion doesn't hurt either, so let your dealer know that you are looking at several brands and shopping for the best deal.

Good luck! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Slippy · Oct 17, 2005

As usual, Jim makes alot of good points. I have a TC40DSS and it really is a nice machine. However, I do think if you are looking for the raw power of the machine to the ground, Hydro is not the way to go. Having said that, you can't beat the hydro for loader work as Jim said. See if your dealer has a demo or rental he can let you try for a weekend. I have learned that no matter how much you study, figure and compare on paper, nothing is better than getting on one and trying it in the application you will use it for.

CJ4 · Oct 17, 2005

Jinman,

Thank you so much for your quick response. I appreciate your lengthy response and I'm sure many other people are grateful for the numerous posts I have read of yours as well as many other guys on here. I may go force myself to go look at the other brands first but I just can't imagine myself on anything but a NH. Their "looks" just make me fuzzy inside!!!! haha I drool like a kid wanting a new toy everytime I see one or even a picture of one! I guess I shouldn't put so much emphasis on the "toy" aspect of this purchase!!! lol With that a given I think I am down to the decision of the TC45DA vs. the TC55DA.

The differences I am down to are:

Advantages of the 45:
1. The 45DA I can get hydro vs. EHSS with the 55DA.
2. The Supersteer on the 45 is not available on the 55.
3. The 45 has the swivel seat.
4. About $2,000 cheaper as rigged equivalent. (Which isn't a real concern when you're spending that much total for a tractor that will last 30 yrs I hope)

Advantages of the 55:
1. The 55 still seems to turn incredibly sharp for non-supersteer.
2. It's a gear tractor which doesn't always require foot pressure that the hydro seemed to require more constant force than i realized.
3. Has more HP with a turbo engine.
4. From what I'm hearing more "ground" power than the hydro 45......Is this tractor that much noticeable difference in power and size particularly using a loader?? Will it give me that extra "umpf" I need over my Ford 3,000 when picked up large stumps filled with dirt?
5. Loader 18LA appears to be more hoss than the 17LA....is there that much difference in reality??

I'm so used to this ole Ford 3,000 I'm not sure if the 45DA compares or exceeds it. I sure don't want to be disappointed by real noticeable change down in tractor.

My concerns over "ease of operation" on the hydro vs. the gear were lessened a bunch when I actually drove the new gear EHSS tractors. Also I noticed that they have a Foot throttle. I imagined how that would even help with loader/blade work. Wouldn't that make it a "near" hydro ease in operation?

I agree with you on the prices. Also, this ole 3,000 of mine is so sentimental if I don't get $6,500 anyway for it, i'll just keep it. Already got $4,000 or so in this new loader anyway. uuuuggggg!!!

Also, my 21 acres is 95% woods and dead junk. We had a bad freeze here about 5 yrs or so and it killed a lot of trees that are still standing and need knocked down and drug to the butnpile. After reading some things here, I noticed that I should check out these root grapples. Would these things help to remove stumps??? I hate to admit this but I've taking my forks (the ground is sandy) and going on either side of the stump and working deep to tear the roots, then working these stumps out. Would this thing do that better too? Any other way to get these stumps out other than a backhoe? Too much for me to spend right now for that.

Thanks guys for all your help.

CJ4 · Oct 17, 2005

Thanks Slippy, You are totally right! If we could just take them out and work them first I could probably tell you in a heartbeat which one i want. I was even nervous though driving the new ones around the lot at the dealership. Didn't want to even put the loader on the ground and scratch their new tractor. I doubt they would let me take one to try but it'd be nice huh? That's the tough thing we all face with these decisions I guess.

meledward23 · Oct 17, 2005

Well, that depends on the dealer and if they know how serious you are. I got my dealer to let me demo their rental TN-60 before buying my 55da... Granted different machine, but that was what they could do for me at the time. That experience made me appreciate the 55da's size and compact nature.

This time around I wanted to make sure a TC30 wasnt too small for me. And they had it on my doorstep in a few hours. Probably because they know I am a good sucker and likely to buy from them again!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MessickFarmEqu · Oct 17, 2005

its your 3000 a 3 wheel model? There is some stigma about those because there was a run of bad transmissions in a few of them. In my opinion he is giving you a trade value thats well above blue book - thats probably why it seems like your new tractors are priced a tad high.

BobReeves · Oct 17, 2005

May be above blue book but here in OK 3000's seem to bring a premium. Would bet he can get at least 7k maybe more..

CJ4 · Oct 17, 2005

Messick, don't know what you mean by a "3 wheel" model....it's a Ford 3,000, about a 71 yr model, 2wd, and has 4 wheels on it.....never heard of a 3 wheel model....maybe i'm missin something or airheaded....

I'm about to close the deal and I know i'm taking a bit of a beating on my tractor but I don't have the patience or time to try to sell it outright......the dealer is offering $6,200 for my trade.....

Guys, I think the 55DA is going to be the winner for this old longtime Ford 3,000 owner.......May it rest in peace, it's been a good one!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

CJ4 · Oct 17, 2005

I guess i'm just full of questions for you guys, but i have a new delima on size of brush hog choices. I've always been used to a 5' brush hog and i'm trying to decide with the TC55DA whether to buy a 6'. Here's my analysis of this decision, tell me what you guys think:

1. The 6' can be handled by the 55DA i think pretty easily.

2. The land work i have mostly consists of working around alot of trees and I already am hooking trees with the 5', I'm really worried of the close working in trees and brush with the 6'.

3. I have alot of roadway easement to mow with some ditches....wondering if the bigger, heavier brush hog will help stabilize the slant/rollover problem in these ditches or hinder it.....which one would be best for these conditions????

As usual, all the comments will be greatly appreciated.......All of your responses has really helped me with my decisions.