I am now the owner of a TC40D!

markie61 · Dec 12, 2002

After 2 years of casual shopping, 3 months of intense research and 4 weeks of price quotes, I bought a TC40D.

It will be here next week. It has been out for 6 months and has 31 hours on it, so there are still 18 months on the full and 30 months on the powertrain warranties.

It came with all the usual "D" amenities plus:
16LA loader w/HD bucket
Single spool remote

I added:
Quick attach loader plate
Quick attach pallet forks
Bucket toothbar
Parts & Service Manuals
Complete set of fluid/air filters

I also asked them to perform and document the following services:
Complete hydrostatic/hydraulic pressure test
Complete 50hour service
Dyno the PTO
Replace the tilt/telescoping steering cylinder
Check the fan/shroud clearances (it has a gray chassis)
Check the joystick for cracks by the screw holes
Adjust the parking brake
Deliver it 40 miles to my home

I got this all for $20,000 even (plus tax).

After negotiating the above deal, I added three bucket hooks and a rear work light (less than $100). In addition, I picked up a used 6' box scraper, a used 6' plug aerator, and a used 6' Landspride AT2572 3ph finish mower for an additional $1200.

Next week, I plan to purchase a Tractor Supply 3ph woodsplitter for $549 plus hoses and check out their "quick hitch" systems. I am keeping my eye out for a used 7' yard rake and a 3ph chipper that can hand debris up to 4-5" in diameter. I am in the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC, so if anyone has these for sale: drop me a line!

Thanks to everyone who posts their knowledge, experience and opinions on this entire website. All of you helped me make my decision and let me go into this process with my eyes wide open. I plan to help others by being equally open and sharing with the information I have gathered about (seemingly) every 4wd tractor in the 40-50hp range.

Mark

Steelfan · Dec 12, 2002

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the ranks of the NH owners. We are a proud few at times, but quietly satisified group. Congrats on the new tractor, and be safe.

Kent

jinman · Dec 12, 2002

Congratulations, Mark. I still can't figure why someone would only put 31 hours on that tractor in 6 months (sounds like a one week rental to me), but if that's all they did with it, I understand them returning it. You definitely got a good deal and I'm sure you will enjoy using it. Also, I know you are tempted to buy all the "goodies" for it now, but I'd save some of that attachment budget until you have it 6 months. You just might find out something you bought is not used much. I'm speaking from experience here./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Be sure and post lots of pictures as soon as it arrives.

BigDave · Dec 12, 2002

Congrats on the shopping spree. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif It looks like you'll have plenty attachments to keep you entertained on your new toy for a while.

markie61 · Dec 13, 2002

Thank you all for sharing YOUR stories! Why do you think I had all that problem-specific service done BEFORE purchasing the tractor?: because of TBNers' experience.

Jim: I asked specifically why someone would turn it back in and the answer I got had something to do with an older gentlemen and moving up to a 70-something horsepower monstrosity. He did something similar before. All I know is the numbers added up: someone else took the depreciation hit./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

As far as implements go: I've got 10-15 acres of pastures I need to recondition and keep mowed (my father-in-law likes to keep them looking like a golf course), so the scraper, aerator, and mower will be used alot. Besides, what better time to buy spring/summer implements than when the ground is covered with snow and ice?

The other 15-20 acres are tree covered, so we want a chipper for all the branches that fall (hundreds from Wednesdays ice storm - almost lost my wife's Honda from a tree-sized limb!).

The woodsplitter will replace an old horizontal one that kills my back. We heat with wood supplemented with an oil furnace - last year we only used 72 gallons of oil. This winter, we are going to split logs and then immediately stack on pallets to reduce handling. When we need wood at the house, I will simply move the entire pallet closer to the house.

I look forward to sharing my experiences as I gain them. Thanks for the warm words,

Mark

hazmat · Dec 13, 2002

Mark,

Congratulations, You only paid $5K more than I Did for My TC18 & got twice the tractor! I wish I could have stumbled upon that deal! Of course, on my 4 acres I don't know what I'd do with a 40HP tractor. But I'd definitely do it fast.

If you haven't already, you may want to check out this post regarding the TSC log splitter <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=215119&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=>3 point splitter help</A>