Ford 3,000 - TC45DA - TC55DA

[CJ4]

IH344,

I didn't load my rear tires with fluid yet. I'm trying wheel weights first......2 weights on each side.....they seem to do the trick well with the brush-hog on the rear.....without the brush-hog i can get my rear wheels off the ground but its at almost max pressure on the FEL before it does it. With it on, my loader maxes out on alot of bigger stump roots though, but I seem to be happy with it so far.

I've been checking on root grapples and I know I sure need one bad but boy......there's alot of different makes and kinds out there and they are pretty expensive. There's a company about 40 miles from me www.vassarfarmequip.com that also makes a "tree sheer". That looks real cool....they have different sizes from 7" to about 12". The 7" is $2,782, 10" $3,819.......Expensive but man with all the trees I have to get rid of it'd sure be nice to cut the "chain sawing" down to a minimum. This thing works on quick-attach FEL (skidsteer compatible) so it'd reach up in trees for big limbs or flat with your FEL to just walk up and cut a tree down. Man, if I don't stop i'm going to spend my kids inheritance on this tractor!!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[IH3444]

CJ4, fluid will add about 1500-1600 lbs to the rear of your TC55. I don't know how much your weights are, but the NH owners manual says that it's OK to use both weights, and fluid filled tires at the same time. My neighbor has an almost new TC35 that has loaded tires, and he just added a 1400 lb ballast to his 3pt hitch. He said it's makes a significate difference in how well the tractor feels, and the rear traction is an unbelieveable difference. Really grips now when he uses the loader, and the tractor feels much more stable. I was reading all the post, and noticed when you mentioned as to how sharp the TC55 turns. My nephew was helping me this weekend, and him not knowing anything about tractors, commented on how sharp the TC48 turned. I'll have to look at that grapple site, but $3K for a grapple is too rich for me. It's the dynamic duo of Husky, and Sthil for me. Good luck, and be safe on that beast. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif IH3444

 

[CJ4]

IH3444,

Nice tractor!!!! Looks like mine! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I didn't know fluid would add that much weight, I know it made my Ford 3,000 handle totally different though. When I have my brush hog on, the FEL will stall so maybe that's enough weight unless it shouldn't stall. Maybe something in the pressure isn't set high enough?? You think?

 

[CJ4]

Hey guys,

What brand of oil & hydro fluid do you guys recommend for this new tractor? The dealer of course is suggesting NH and really stressed the Hydro fluid should at least meet NH specs. I'm considering using Rotella 15W-40 since I use it in all of my diesel tow trucks. I sure don't wanna screw up the warranty?????

 

[Soundguy]

If it needs the m2c134d stuff.. look for a utf that meets or exceeds that spec. i use the TSC utf fluid cause they are real close to work.. If wallmart was closer and i remembered.. I'd use their UTF... 17$ vs tsc 25$ utf.. vs NH 45$

Soundguy

 

[CJ4]

Here's some pics guys!

 

[CJ4]

Night work too!

 

[CJ4]

coming out of the woods.

 

[jinman]

Very nice, CJ4! Where is your grill guard? Did it not come in at the dealer yet? It's nice to see you are working that tractor hard. That's exactly what they are built to do. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[CJ4]

Jinman,
Thanks for the compliment. Yep, still waiting for the grille guard, rt step, one of the rear remotes.......It was SOOOOOOOO HARD to put that gorgeous thing right out in those woods!! I was taking the forks and skinning the low branches off of the trees as I approach to keep them from scratching it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif After a few hours down in those woods and tremendous dust, the thing looked just pitiful.....but a bit of "water hosing" and it restored good. To be honest, I wanted to grab some polish and baby it a bit but ........oh well........it's a TRACTOR, right??? lol I've greased the thing so much when i hit it with the water hose I now have grease splattered everywhere.......

I sure wished it was possible to posts more than one pic at a time here......I hate to junk up the thread with a post for each pic.........