Help!!!! Can't make up my mind!

[JerryG]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif AndyM,
I am with you. I have been around here for several changes of the site and for more than one name of the site, I have heard every angle about hydros and they are great for playing around. I guess. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now Andy get ready for the war. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[hockeyhead]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

If your tractor is used mostly for loader work and mowing in confined areas ( trees landscaping etc...) than the hydro is much easier, thereby faster to use. If your tractor is used mostly to engage ground, tilling than gear drives are fine even better. I have a TC-30 gear drive 7308 loader, loaded R4 tires and I'm very happy with it. it is a mule, moving tons of dirt and rocks and gravel, tilling 60x100 garden, alot of postholes, grading, brush hogging, I have pulled a 10' disc harrow with it (borrowed) preping a 300' by 700' area for grass. Now I also mow that area and more with it, but my land is flat and open. Around the house and the front yard completely we use a 54" garden tractor hydro with cruise. If you get a hydro and it sounds like you should, make sure it has cruise control. When I first got this place I was cutting only 300x500 with a garden tractor hydro without cruise and my right foot would feel it. I paid 14050 for my Tc-30 in May 2003

 

[MikePA]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

<font color="blue"> I seem to be the only person on this board that doesn't see the big deal with a hydrostatic transmission. </font>
No offense, but you are hardly the only person on this board that believes this. Otherwise there would not be recurring discussions about it. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

<font color="blue">It seems to me that when you drive a tractor, you stick it in one gear and leave it there, until you get to a big hill or you need to back up. </font>
For some tasks, e.g., loader work (lots of starting, stopping, backing up, etc.), a hydrostatic transmission is easier to use than a gear. For many tasks that involve ground engagment, the gear is better suited.

The issue is not which transmission is better, the issue is how the tractor will be used most of the time. Then pick the transmission which works best for those tasks.

 

[markie61]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Full disclosure: when I was shopping last year, I HATED hydro. I couldn't operate them smoothly to save my life. Then this low-hour unit fell into my lap and was $1000-2000 less than new shuttles of all brands, so I figured I could learn to live with it. If I didn't like it after a year or two, I could probably flip it and recover every penny.

The first day, I carried several loads of brush to a wash area with an 18 degree slope (thank you Tiltmeter). It felt so much safer and more controlled putting my front wheels on the edge than it ever was with the old Ford 2000. Not using a clutch added a whole new dimension of safe operation for me - in fact the Class III Boomers don't even have clutches.

Do I like shuttles? - yes. Would I have been satisfied with a shuttle? - probably. Am I glad I ended up with a hydro? - absolutely. In answer to your question " </font><font color="blue" class="small">( IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME??? )</font> " - I don't THINK so. After all, you DID buy a New Holland /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif!

Mark

 

[hazmat]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

<font color="blue">Now Andy get ready for the war </font>

No war here. The New Holland forum is generally kinder & gentler than the "generic" forum. I think it has to due with our superior breeding (ie <font color="blue"> blue blood </font>) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Both transmissions work a heck of a lot better than a shovel & wheelbarrow /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

The comment about cruise control is right on - I think my foot would have fallen off while cutting the 8 acre fields at my parent's farm if it wasn't for the cruise.

Fortnutately seems that most of the compact & sub-compacts come with this feature.

 

[Mosey]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The issue is not which transmission is better, the issue is how the tractor will be used most of the time. Then pick the transmission which works best for those tasks.)</font>

Well stated Mike. I almost got the gear drive, but I'm sure glad I didn't. My tractor is used primarily for mowing 3 1/2 acres of yard with a 6' finish mower. It's not one big rectangular chunk though. The biggest piece is about 1 1/2 acres. A typical section is about 75' long, then I have to slow down and turn around or stop, backup, and go forward again on a corner. I gear drive would slow me down a lot and my left foot would get tired from clutching all the time. As it is, my right foot has never gotten tired from operating the hydro pedal. I also agree that the hydro is much faster for loader work.

 

[JerryG]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

<font color="blue"> The comment about cruise control is right on - I think my foot would have fallen off while cutting the 8 acre fields at my parent's farm if it wasn't for the cruise. </font>

You don't have to use the foot feed for extended mowing, there is also a throttle control handle. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Kevin_in_VA]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

Now that we've gotten completely off the subject. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif What about the TC30? Other than the obvious HP difference, and the obvious design differences. How does it compare to the TC24D:

Economically?

Ergonomically?

Operationally?

 

[hockeyhead]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

First off it is a class II compact 60" rear track instead of the 48" like the Tc-24, so the running gear is the same as a Tc-29 or 33 It has no tilt or telescoping steering wheel, the ROP does not fold, it has no built in tool box , sheetmetal fenders and hood instead of plastic and a dash lay-out is simpler but all the gauges and lights are there. The hydro is $1200 more than I paid, check out corriher tractors in newton NC, there is a link in this web site. check out the new holland web site for the complete spec sheet.
I'm 5'9" 180 lb and it fits me very well. it has the same seat as all new holland compacts That tc-30 hydro will function the same as a Tc-29 hydro.
When I commited to the deal mine had a bushhog loader on it and was priced at $13200, but after comparing the specs on that loader to the 7308, I went with the new holland loader pushing me to $14050. since I got it I added a rear hydrulic remote($480) from my local new holand dealer, a rear work light, swinging draw bar, a small plastic tool box bolted to the right fender and a rubber marine cup holder, now I believe I am all set ,but that's me you need go check one out see if it fits what you want and work the best deal you can enjoy your tractor search

 

[AndyM]

Re: Help!!!! Can\'t make up my mind!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Now that we've gotten completely off the subject. )</font>

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. Please accept my apologies! It just seems that everyone is totally in love with their hydro. I drove a TC18 with hydro before I bought my gear model, and I just didn't have the "wow" reaction that most of the posters have when they are talking about it!

Anyhoo, the TC30 has less "frills" than the other TC models, but you need to ask yourself if you'd rather get a cheaper tractor, or do you REALLY need a fancy looking design and a tilt steering wheel. Ask Jerry (Mrwurm) what he thinks of his TC30. On the face of it, it seems to be a lot of value for the money.