Here is a pic from my seat. I believe the curved arms clear things up a bit, but the moment I raise my bucket, whether it's curved or straight armed, I think it all goes up in smoke... so to speak. It would be interesting to get some seat time on a NH to see if I actually percieve a difference. It wouldn't really matter now though - it straight arms for a good long time at the Mann household... I can just imagine the conversation as I try to explain the benefit of curved arms to my wife. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Illusion or reality...curved loader arms/hood...?
- Thread starter Henro
- Start date
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PineRidge
Super Member
Jim with the combination of the sloped hood, curved loader arms, and the fact that the quick attach puts the pallet forks out even a bit further yet I have no problems stabbing the pallets. I have yet to stab a crate and do damage to the contents, (knock on wood).
I'm also one of them good olé boys that likes seeing his feet as well as his loader bucket if you know what I mean. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'm also one of them good olé boys that likes seeing his feet as well as his loader bucket if you know what I mean. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
ronjhall
Super Star Member
<font color="blue"> I have yet to stab a crate and do damage to the contents, (knock on wood).
</font>
I can say the same thing even with the obstructed view.
Yesterday I unloaded the Snow thrower I bought from the back of my Venture Van without a scratch to the Van or Snowblower. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Still Knocking on Wood. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I have a better view with Pallet forks on. The open boxed rear upright allows a better view of the forks.
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I can say the same thing even with the obstructed view.
Yesterday I unloaded the Snow thrower I bought from the back of my Venture Van without a scratch to the Van or Snowblower. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Still Knocking on Wood. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I have a better view with Pallet forks on. The open boxed rear upright allows a better view of the forks.
meledward23
Gold Member
I have a TC55da with the curved arms. I think it is a good think, but not a must. I used a TN65 before I bought the 55. I do find the curves to help with vision. But that doesnt mean I see my bucket all that well. The TC55 is so compact that the bucket is father down than out in front of me (at least that is the perception). The quick attach is hard to use on this machine be cause at ground level I cant line it up. I lift the implements 12" off the ground (stack three pallets) and all is well.
All in all I dont know if I would like straight arms on my TC55da. But I like my package. This is a hoss of a small tractor.
All in all I dont know if I would like straight arms on my TC55da. But I like my package. This is a hoss of a small tractor.
BXRICK
Silver Member
I am hardly qualified to have much of an informed opinion (BX I have is small, and I've never used a curved-loader arm tractor...).
However, is it possible (again, never measured any of these things) that the curved hood and curved loader arms allow the distance from the operator to the bucket (a significant portion of the overall length of the tractor) to be shortened, yet retain essentially the same visibility? I could see a manufacturer doing this to get a "bigger" tracor in a smaller space.
In other words, the curved loader arms and hood might allow a more compact tractor (tighter turning radius, etc) yet doesn't give up any visibility.
Just a thought.
However, is it possible (again, never measured any of these things) that the curved hood and curved loader arms allow the distance from the operator to the bucket (a significant portion of the overall length of the tractor) to be shortened, yet retain essentially the same visibility? I could see a manufacturer doing this to get a "bigger" tracor in a smaller space.
In other words, the curved loader arms and hood might allow a more compact tractor (tighter turning radius, etc) yet doesn't give up any visibility.
Just a thought.
meledward23
Gold Member
However, is it possible (again, never measured any of these things) that the curved hood and curved loader arms allow the distance from the operator to the bucket (a significant portion of the overall length of the tractor) to be shortened, yet retain essentially the same visibility?
This I feel describes my opinion and attitude toward how it affects my TC55da.
This I feel describes my opinion and attitude toward how it affects my TC55da.
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,615
Boy Henro, you really know how to start something when the biggest loud mouth on the board is not around! I've obviously missed something by not being around this weekend, but I also have been a pretty vocal proponent of the curved arms. So while i am very late to the thread, let me weigh in.
First, I think one of the biggest advantages is seeing the ground in front of the tractor, not seeing the bucket itself. On both the B2910 with 60" bucket, and the TC24 with 54" bucket, I cannot see the side of the bucket because in both cases the buckets are too wide.
What I can see with the TC24 is objects closer to the leading edge of the bucket and object in front of the tractor. When scooping up a pile of mulch or digging into a dirt pile I would say that there is ABSOLUTELY NO ADVANTAGE TO THE CURVED ARMS of the TC because under those circumstances you are trying to fill the entire bucket.
However, when trying to pick up someting with the bucket, the sloped hood and curved arms allow for closer viewing of objects to let you line up the item (such as a decent size landscape rock) into the center of the bucket. Or when trying to scoop up chunks of wood. Or any other task when the entire bucket will NOT be filled up, then the added visibility is an asset to speeding up loader work.
As for the pictures and the comparisons that are posted in the body of the thread, let me say that I think they are not entirely valid comparisons. First, from the standpoint of ANY user, the pictures must be taken from the viewpoint of the SAME driver's eyes. If a 5'2" person takes a picture while on the seat of a NH and a 6'4" person takes a picture while on the seat of a Kubota/JD/Mahindra/Etc then the perspective will be totally different. We need a picture of SIMILAR size tractors take by IDENTICAL size drivers. Further, we need objects placed in front of the bucket at premeasured distances, and we probably need one row in line with the center line of the tractor, and then one row on either side of the center line, at probably 24" off the center line. Each of those 3 lines would then have marks placed every 12" inches? And the lines of sight, as shown from the perspective of the same driver, could actually be measured.
As I have 2 loader of different makes that are of near equal capacity, I might actually volunteer myself to take this project on. It would likely be sometime over the next weekend because I come home from work late and the sun is setting early so getting meaningful shots will be difficult.
First, I think one of the biggest advantages is seeing the ground in front of the tractor, not seeing the bucket itself. On both the B2910 with 60" bucket, and the TC24 with 54" bucket, I cannot see the side of the bucket because in both cases the buckets are too wide.
What I can see with the TC24 is objects closer to the leading edge of the bucket and object in front of the tractor. When scooping up a pile of mulch or digging into a dirt pile I would say that there is ABSOLUTELY NO ADVANTAGE TO THE CURVED ARMS of the TC because under those circumstances you are trying to fill the entire bucket.
However, when trying to pick up someting with the bucket, the sloped hood and curved arms allow for closer viewing of objects to let you line up the item (such as a decent size landscape rock) into the center of the bucket. Or when trying to scoop up chunks of wood. Or any other task when the entire bucket will NOT be filled up, then the added visibility is an asset to speeding up loader work.
As for the pictures and the comparisons that are posted in the body of the thread, let me say that I think they are not entirely valid comparisons. First, from the standpoint of ANY user, the pictures must be taken from the viewpoint of the SAME driver's eyes. If a 5'2" person takes a picture while on the seat of a NH and a 6'4" person takes a picture while on the seat of a Kubota/JD/Mahindra/Etc then the perspective will be totally different. We need a picture of SIMILAR size tractors take by IDENTICAL size drivers. Further, we need objects placed in front of the bucket at premeasured distances, and we probably need one row in line with the center line of the tractor, and then one row on either side of the center line, at probably 24" off the center line. Each of those 3 lines would then have marks placed every 12" inches? And the lines of sight, as shown from the perspective of the same driver, could actually be measured.
As I have 2 loader of different makes that are of near equal capacity, I might actually volunteer myself to take this project on. It would likely be sometime over the next weekend because I come home from work late and the sun is setting early so getting meaningful shots will be difficult.
slowrev
Elite Member
Typhoon and Steve,
I agree with you guys, I have had the same thing happen to me and I sometimes use the arms to stabilize an odd load. The curved arms would not work for that and imho appear to be more dangerous in those types of situations.
Ben
I agree with you guys, I have had the same thing happen to me and I sometimes use the arms to stabilize an odd load. The curved arms would not work for that and imho appear to be more dangerous in those types of situations.
Ben
PineRidge
Super Member
Bob what we have going here is an unscientific argument at best. I also believe that Henro said that his bucket was not on the ground while mine was. I don't know about you but I have never felt the need to raise up in the seat to see what I am about to scoop up in my bucket. Fact is it can't be done as the safety switch in the seat would surely kill the engine. I have never had a problem using or aligning the quick attach on the bucket or pallet forks either. It works for me, but I don't think the lack of it would be a "deal breaker" when considering the purchase of any tractor without it either. Just a personal opinion, that all.....