I am absolutely stuck!! TC24D or TC 29D??

jwstewar · Mar 30, 2004

I've been watching this post just to see where everyone was heading. As Jerry said I have the 24D on a little over 7 1/2 acres and I absolutely love it. I use a 5' mmm and a 4' KK rotary cutter. It has been a great asset around the house. I've set the trusses for my 30x48' pole barn and I've since then put the shingles up to the roof so we didn't have to carry them up a ladder. A couple of minor little bugs to start with, but since I've gotten those worked out it has been great. I've been in some pretty wet areas and have gotten it stuck. Glad it wasn't any larger as it would've just been bigger and harder to get out. As soon as I finish the shingles on the garage I'm going to start removing the top soil and hauling some gravel in from my ditch. That is why Jerry mentioned me wanting a BH, but unfortunately I won't be able to get it in time for this project. I might take and fill the loader with sand/gravel and plan on using the truck to help me back up out of the ditch. Not sure yet. Might also look at renting a BH. Problem with that is time - i.e. other obligations and the weather.

Bottom line is, I think you'll be happy with the 24, I know I would have a hard time justifying another $3500 for my uses for a 29. Now if i could've been OkeeDon and had a used one with a BH for $1500, that is what would've been in my driveway.

KiotiJohn · Mar 30, 2004

I think the responsed tell it all, the 24D would be just fine. I have Kioti CK20 with 21 HP with more property to work than you have and it's just fine. Does all I need it to do and I think the 24 will too. Don't spend the money on the larger tractor, get more implements! John

thcri · Mar 30, 2004

Bobby,

I had the TC21D and found it to be too small for me with 2.5 acres. Now my biggest reason was because of my sidehills. I did not like the stability of the class 1 rig. So I ended up trading in for the TC29D. It handles the hills much better. With the class 1 I did not dare to use the loader on the hills at all in fear of tipping it over. Now if you are on flat solid ground then don't spend the money. You also can look at 3500.00 over a twenty year period if you plan on needing a tractor that long and the 3500 doesn't look so bad. If I was you I would take a timeout and test drive both tractors. Maybe even make a deal on both tractors and guarantee your dealer you will take one but he has to allow you to use both of them for a day or two at your residence. Tell your dealer you will only put 4 hours total on either one of them. Then I really think you can make a good decision. Some of the guys said they bought too big and like me I bought too small. Unless you test both of them you are always going to be second guessing your decision. Just like you are right now.

Good luck

murph

SacandagaBrad · Mar 30, 2004

( the thought of the 24 as a "lawn tractor on steroids", )

Not even close! I have had my TC24D since October and have been impressed with the power, capability, and manuverablilty. I also have what I consider to be a lawn tractor on steroids - an older 12 hp riding Gravely that is nothing more than a solid hunk of iron with a thumpin single cylinder Kohler motor that spins a 50" mower deck through anything. With the deck on, it weighs about 1100 pounds.

I have a 60" deck on the NH, but have not used it yet due to seasonal limitations. The TC24D turns as tight if not tighter than the Gravely, is easier to operate, easier to attach implements, and is quieter and more comfortable. It leaves less of a mark in the wet soft yard with the wide turf tires than the Gravely, even with the extra weight of the loader. I have pushed heavy wet mud back into ditches, lifted docks out of the water, graded hard compacted gravel roads, plowed and blown snow, and used the bucket to carry everything from garbage cans to small boats. All this through very tight quarters where I even have to be on my toes with the Gravely.

The LA loaders are a definite advantage for visibility. I have operated a lot of tractors and FELs, and this is the easiest by far when it comes to being able to see. And they come on and off easier than anything I have to install on the Gravley. I plan to leave it off for mowing, and when I do need it, it is less than 5 minutes to put it on.

If you can't tell, I think you would be very happy with the 24 and may not need the other mowing equipment you mentioned. I wish I had some experience to pass along. I'm thinking that if it mowes as easy as it does everything else, the Gravely may be on the front lawn with a For Sale sign.

You're lucky to be in a position where you have the option to make a choice. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Brad

Trouser Bark · Mar 31, 2004

Hard to pick what someone else might like but I can tell you that I'm thrilled w/ my TC24D. First tractor I've owned and I wasn't sure what to expect other than a bunch of learning about a new piece of equipment.

What I found is that it's an amazingly sturdy little tractor that has made several chores around my 10 acre property a lot more pleasureable. One caveat ...I too have steep property and this tractor is skinny enough that side hilling will make you pucker. Initially it scared the daylights out of me but I've since become somewhat desensitized to it, particularly on snow.

I've reversed my rims for add'l width but didn't get too much. If you have steep property the 24 might not be the perfect choice but I'm certainly happy w/ mine.

ABALTO · Jun 13, 2004

I have 4.5 acres and I got the tc29-d. I am thrilled with the size. I also thought it was too big (my wife thought I was a nut when she saw it for the first time), but it has proven to be perfect. She now admits it is the perfect size also. I would go with the 29...

jd2210va · Jun 22, 2004

I'm in the same boat right now trying to decide between the TC24D or TC29D. I have 3.5 acres of property, mostly wooded that I want to clean up and maintain with about a 1/4 acre of lawn. I'm planning to buy a pto chipper to clean up several brush piles that have built up (don't feel comfortable burning in the woods). Also believe I will find plenty of uses for a FEL. I got a quote today on a 2003 TC29D FWD HYD with NH FEL for $16,898. Priced several attachments as well that seemed reasonable but the whole package put me near $22 grand (more than I can afford now). Didn't price the TC24D but after reading these posts I'm sure I could afford a few more attachments with the TC24d vs 29d. But would the 24d have enough pto HP to run a 4" to 5" chipper rather easily? I'm also considering the possibility of picking up some weekend jobs bush hogging or FEL work ( to help offset the cost and get additional seat time- if that makes sense?) Any additional advice/comments would be appreciated. BTW, I have a tentative deal on a JD 2210 but they can't locate any dealer with a FEL for it, so it left me time to do some more looking and the NH is looking pretty good to me right now. I feel like the 2210 may be under powered for my needs and I'll be wishing I'd gotten something with more HP, that's how the TC29d got my attention initially.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 22, 2004

The TC29 is an awesome tractor. I use its competition the Kubota B2910, but I also own a TC24.

I have to tell you that you are looking at 3 different classes of tractors, the JD2210 is a Sub-CUT with a "limited" Cat 1 hitch. The TC24 is a small frame CUT with a full Cat 1 hitch. The TC29 is a medium frame CUT with a Cat 2 hitch.

I simply do not know the answer to the question you have regarding the chipper.

Regarding everything else, the TC24 or the JD2210 are better sized for your 3.5 acres than the TC29. Both will probably mow faster on a smaller sized property than the TC29 because you have tighter turning on the 2 smaller machines.

PERSONALLY there is no way I would buy the 2210, that is based on the limited Cat 1 hitch. I don't like non-standard hitches that require non-standard implements or modifications to implements.

The TC29 is going to easily give the greatest PTO HP for you proposed chipper, but it seems to me the downside to you is the added cost that you said is over your budget. Taking side jobs to pay for a tractor means you won't be able to spend the time tractoring working on your own property.

The TC24 is an amazing little tractor, I love the power-to-size-ratio of the machine, some people question if it has too much power for its size. I think it is the perfect size for a small property, I have just under 12 acres and find it suits most of my needs well, when I need a bit more, I have access to the B2910 to fall back on. In the case of most people, a CUT is a compramise in size. Everyone WANTS a big machine to do digging and for field mowing. Everyone NEEDS a small machine to mow around the house and under shrubs. So if you can't afford multiple tractors, then you must decide which tractor will fit your budget, do the big jobs well enough when they need to be done and do the small jobs when they need to be done.

As for the outside jobs bush hogging, I think it really depends on what size jobs you want to take as to if any of the 3 choices is appropriate. Actually I think for doing hogging, there is no way the Sub-CUT 2210 would be appropriate. And for many jobs the TC29 would simply be too small. So you'll have to pick and choose your jobs regardless of which other tractor you might choose.

AndyMA · Jun 22, 2004

( The TC29 is a medium frame CUT with a Cat 2 hitch. )

Just a minor correction. The TC29 and all New Holland tractors up to and including the TC45 are Cat I hitches. I believe the TC48 and TC 55 are both I and II. The TN's are Cat II and also come with Cat I bushings.

Andy