Is a NH 33DA the right machine for the job?

[drm]

I am a tractor newbie and in the market. I have been to several dealers and spent the last month viewing this and other tractor boards. Due to dealer support and my preference I am looking at a New Holland TC33DA. So the question I put to the gallery is if this machine and implements are properly sized for my situation.

I just purchased a home on 11.5 acres with no landscaping.

It was dairy farm pasture some time ago. Had 1.5 aces planted and will be slowly converting/planting over the years including many many trees (there are no trees and we are on to of a hill so it gets pretty hot in the sun). Moved to the country to have some land and give my boys (preschool age now) plenty of space for growing and roaming.

The land is roughly as follows:
1.5 newly planted grass. Additional 1 field grass.

4 corn in the front and 2 grain planted by a local farmer (I do not plan to farm at this point).

3 overgrown field of brush and crown vetch that is very rough and rutted.

I plan to plant the 1 acre filed next fall and the 2 acre grain the following for a total of 4.5 acre grass. I will also be cutting in drainage ditches on both sides of my 1200 ft drive and planting 8' of grass on each side.

I have a 1,200' driveway with a 40' x 50' concrete pad at the garage and 225' x 14' of new asphalt in front of the house with 925' x 11' of new compacted 2A (1 1/2" max with fines) crushed limestone driveway. I may be maintaining an additional 1,200' gravel drive. It has been in for 8 years and is hard.

My tractor use will be primarily mowing with driveway maintenance and snow removal secondary. I am told to expect 3 to 4' snow drifts occationally due to being on top of a hill with the high part of the drive cut below the surrounding land by 2 or more feet.

I will also be using the tractor for landscaping, grading, grass planting and tree planting. I plan to rent as much equipment as is reasonable since the two local dealers have a fair assortment.

Most of the land is gently sloping to rolling with the back few acres on a steep slope.

Here is the equipment I am looking at and pricing:
NH TC33DA, Hydro, FWD, R3 Turf Tire (ground is soft) ($14,900)
14LA FEL ($3,550)
72" MMM Rear Discharge mower ($2,750)
60" Woods std. duty brush hog (BB60) ($1,200)
72" Woods std duty rear blade with rubber edge (by Curtis) ($500)

TOTAL price $22,900

I am leaning towards the 84" rear blade to allow me to offset it. Should I go to Medium duty? Woods recommends 30-75 hp.

Should I get the chain shielding on the brush hog?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[MicroPilot]

Welcome to TBN!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This sounds like a great deal, and will be plenty of tractor for what you have and want to do.

 

[DavidJ]

It sounds to me like this machine will do everything you need. I have about the same size place and my 33D does all I could hope for. I apologize, but you're on your on about the plowing snow /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif that's one problem I don't have. Now if you want to talk about moving hurricane destroyed trees I can talk about that /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

One thing I would think about is the 60" brush hog. I use a 72" and it works great. The wider width gives you a bit past the rear tires so you don't have to get so close to obstacles (fence, buildings, trees, etc.)

 

[OrangeGuy]

Welcome to TBN!

It looks like you are going to have a great place. The size and the attachments look good to me. However, I would seriously look at a tractor with a cab. If you are going to spend that much money, make the tractor truly an all-season workhorse.

If NH doesn't offer a suitable cab, check out the Kubota L3430. I did and find the cab the best investment I made with the tractor.

OrangeGuy

 

[drm]

OrangeGuy,

A cab is available from NH & from Curtis but I am already significantly over my estimated budget and any more will likely kill this purchase. Something to look forward to in the future.

Besides, I have a hardly worn set of Carharts that don't get enough use.

 

[TV372]

IMO I would go with a TC 35DA or Case DX35. With the fel on these machine skid steer coupler is available. So that way down the road a few years you have a need for pallet forks, 4 in 1 bucket, snowplow, or grappel bucket. Change over of front mounted impliment will be quick and easy.

Also you want to think about at least on set of rear hyd. remotes and a hyd side link if you are planning on doing alot of grading work.

As for tires i would go with R4 construction tread tires. I use them on my lawn and they give great flotation. Dont forget rim gaurd tire ballast.

Also by going to a class 3 tractor you also gain pto hp. & greater 3pt hitch lifting. So you can rent heavier impliment such as a Harley rake.

 

[blackjack]

My opinion is that that class III size would be too big for mowing, especially since you mentioned that you will be planting (mowing around) a lot of trees. I have a DX33 and find it capable of doing everthing I ask of it. The class II's do come with an available quick-attach bucket, so getting the pallet forks or other skid-loader attachments should not be a problem.
If you're doing a lot of loader work or need the additional lift capacity of the 3 pt, then maybe I'd look at a class III unit.

 

[drm]

I was looking at the TC35D and TC40D but the only MMM w/ rear discharge that is compatible is the 84" and I am concerned about maneuverability.

I was looking at the rear finish mower, especially due to lower price, but after a test drive worried about taking out something around the house during turning. My house has about 10 sides/corners and three sets of steps off the wrap around porch. So there is a lot of things to watch for.

I checked into the Harley Rake and they have 2 models that are compatible. there are also 4 dealers within 30 miles so I would think one would have a smaller one that they would rent. I will talk to the salesman at the place I am going to buy just to be sure since they have a large assortment of tractor rental equipment.

I will be sure to get the quick hitch bucket.

Any idea how much to fit a hydraulic top link to a TC33? NH does not have this as an option.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[hazmat]

For a hydraulic top link you will need

Valve ~$250 from NH (might want to ge two for future expansion)
Cylinder - $100-200 - a couple of advertisers here offer them - check the "dealers" tab - CCM comes to mind.
Hoses - ~$50 local NAPA or dealer can make them up to the size you need.

Try a search for top link or Top and Tilt It's one of the favorite topics of discussion.

 

[dirtwhisperer]

drn - one thing you might consider to get back in line with your budget is the TC30. It really depends if you want all the bells and whistles of the boomer line. The tc33 will also be able to lift a little more bucket weight if that is importtant - about 1150 versus 875 full height at pivot pins. From what I have read in other threads - the skid-steer attachment will lower the lifting capicty more than the regular bucket because it is out further from the pivot points.