New NH TC40 vs. used NH 2120

[Bulldogger]

I have been looking at new tractors and just can't decide to buy a TC33D, TC35 or TC40. In my looking I have found a used 2000 NH 2120 4wd with 12x12 shuddle shift trans and 1 remote on the rear with a canopy and 128 hours for 12,900. Is this a good price? Also does anyone know of any problems with the 2120's. Should I buy a new TC40 or the used 2120? I have a couple of pictures of the 2120. Thanks for your help

 

[Bulldogger]

Another picture of the 2120.

 

[markie61]

There was a thread within the past 6 months about the 2120 and the various issues related to it. Do a search on "2120" and you should get some good hits. The price you gave is hard to guage without knowing the hours.

2120 pluses: total Shibaura product, been around along time, clutchless shuttle(?), all metal construction, that canopy looks nice. Negatives: no folding ROPS, older design/user interface, no loader (on this one if it is important to you), no warranty (looks like it is from a dealer - maybe you can negotiate a warranty), high exhaust stack (noiser/in your face).

I have seen another TBN user claim that mechanically the TC40 is the same as the 2120 - don't know that for sure. Pluses available folding ROPS, available deluxe 3ph, warranty, more tire choices(?), 0% interest financing, more refined user area, under chassis exhaust. Negatives cost of new, parts come from all over but are assembled in US (also a positive).

I can't speak to how this will meet your needs since you state none, but I bought used (with balance of a warranty) and I am happy. If I didn't find a warrantied used tractor, I would have bought new.

Good luck!

Mark

 

[Bulldogger]

Mark I forgot to include the hours in my post it has 128 on it. I am pretty sure that you have to use the clutch to shift from forward to reverse.

I know its hard to beat 0% and the prices that I have found on most of the used stuff is not that much cheaper than buying new. I would just like to get some input from other tractor people. Thanks for the info.

 

[markie61]

128 hour is nothing! The lowest price I was quoted on a TC40 was in the mid $15K's. If you can get a warranty, it sounds like the 2120 might be a good deal. There may be, in fact, the remainder of a the powertrain warranty left. NH gives 2yr bumper-to-bumper and 3yr powertrain on the TC's. Don't know about the 2120....

If the dealer is not NH, get the s/n and call a NH dealer to see how much is left. I found a 500-hour TC45D with a Bradco backhoe used from a JD dealer. He gave me the s/n and I called a NH dealer. It had 1 month/13months left. I also found out the backhoe had cracked the tractor in two. I didn't buy that one....

As was stated on the Faber College founder's statue in the movie "Animal House": Knowlege is Good!

Mark

 

[grainger12002]

Bull dog-The 2120 is a good tractor,no loader kind of stinks,they are expense-that is very low hours>? keep us posted

 

[AndyMA]

The 2120 is an excellent tractor. It's been out since about 1987 and I've had one since 1988. Very reliable. The frame on a 2120 is considerably larger and stronger than a TC40, or 45. With the shuttle trans you can shift from forward to reverse without the clutch. The price you quote for the number of hours seems very good. A typical price for one with a loader and a lot more hours is 16- 18k. There have been some posts on this site regardiing loose bolts, and leaks on 2120's . I've had none of these and I've used my hard. Ny dealer leases and sells many 2120's each year and I asked him about those type problems and he tells me that he just doesn't see many problems with the 2120. Given a choice I'd take a 2120 anyday over any Boomer. It's just a bigger, more capable tractor. I pull mostly 8' implements, heavy york rakes, box scrapers, etc and a 6' brush hog.


Andy

 

[djradz]

That seems like a good price for a relatively new 2120 tractor in good condition with low hours. Make sure it's not an older Ford version that someone has redecaled and painted the grills black however. The manufacturers tag on the underside below the transmission should tell all. NH/Fords shuttle-shift worked extremely well and was very easy to use. Yes you had to clutch, but it was very simple and effort-free. If your looking for true convenience of operation however, you can't beat a new Boomer. Especially the 35D, 40D, 45D series with the electronic shift-on-the-go range changing switch for the hydro. The other creature comforts such as the adjustable steering column, etc also make it more effort free to operate. I think the 2120 excels for straight ahead work while the Boomers with a hydro trans have a heads up if your doing a lot of back and forth work such as using a loader or mowing around obstructions or plowing snow. Either way, I think you'll be happy with either choice.

 

[John_Mc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have seen another TBN user claim that mechanically the TC40 is the same as the 2120 - don't know that for sure.)</font>

The 2120 is closer to the TC45 IMO. The 2120 is physically a bit larger thean the TC40/45, and the 2120 is about 500# heavier. Engine on the TC45 is 135 cu. in displacement, 45 HP @ 2600 RPM. Engine on the 2120 is 138.5 cu. in, 42.6 HP @ 2500 RPM (basically the TC45's engine is the same as the 2120, just cranked up a bit).

I think the 2120 is a great tractor & the shuttle shift is a great transmission. The price seems decent for a tractor with the low hours you mentioned. I'd give it some serious consideration.

John Mc

 

[JATO_RaT]

I have a brother in law selling his 2120, a 1996 model with about 500 hours and a loader. He asked me about a price for it. I figured about $15,000 with a 2 remote setup on back and a NH post hole digger. Exhaust is turned down on his. Rat...

 

[AndyMA]

I'm curious why you wondering if it's an older Ford. Also what trans requires you to use the clutch to shuttle between forward and reverse. My 1988 Ford 2120 with shuttle trans does not require you to clutch to go between forward and reverse. You just flip the lever. It has 12 equal speeds for both forward and reverse and works great for loader operation.
Also don't underestimate the size differential between the TC45 and the 2120.

Andy

 

[markie61]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Also what trans requires you to use the clutch to shuttle between forward and reverse.)</font>
There were two shuttles on the 2120 - one requiring a clutch and the other like yours.

 

[djradz]

Wow, I guess I'm getting an eduction here. All the older Ford/NH shuttles I'm familiar with such as the 1720 and 1920 were synchronized shuttle-shift (SSS) and you had to clutch to change gears or change direction. I guess the 2120 had a Hydraulic Shuttle Shift (HSS). It appears you still may need to clutch to change gears however, but this I'm not sure of. Certainly, if you can change directions without clutching, your pretty close to a Hydrostatic Tranny and that makes the 2120 better yet.

 

[JATO_RaT]

You must use the clutch to change gears. You must come to a complete stop to change from high, to medium, to low range. When using the shuttle, it is best to be almost at a complete stop or your going to get jerked around. There is also a rabbit or turtle hydraulic shift speed. We only use rabbit. If you did not need to clutch to change gears, you would not be so much like a hydrostatic as you would be to a glideshift transmission. The only weakness in the 2120's shifting is the abundant number of joints in the shift lever located in the steering column. When those start getting sloppy, you must replace them as shifting becomes nearly impossible. The HSS works well. Rat...

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Bulldogger: I was in exactly the same position as you a few months ago i.e. choice between a new TC40 & a used 2120. As others have pointed out, the 2120 is heavier. The TC40 uses the trans (the SSS, not the HSS) out of the 2120 (with an adapter plate) to match with the engine out of the 1920 series. Thus, the drive train has been around for awhile.

I ended up going with a new TC40 mainly because the price differnce equiped as desired (FEL and BH) between the two was less than $5k. An engine overhaul could have cost that. Also, the TC40 has some ease of repair advantages. For example, the hydraulic pump on the 2120 is in the transmission case while on the TC40 it is mounted externally on the engine (guess which is simpler to replace). Also, there are certain ease of access/service issues which favor the TC40 over the 2120. Visibility for some operations (especially loader work) is much better with the TC40. In other words, the TC40 is a newer design with the same basic, proven drive train as the 2120/1920 series. Unfortunately the TC40 has plastic type sheet metal, doesn't come with the nice metal toolbox behind the driver's seat (like the 2120), the 2120 has more weight in the chassis, etc., etc.

Probably would have gone with the 2120 myself if it didn't cost almost as much as a new TC40 (since with a new one, you get the break the engine in yourself, have full factory warranty, etc.). The price you stated on the 2120 seems good especially if in cherry condition (not banged up or abused). As others have mentioned, do a search for the 2120. Reports on this site by those using the 2120 for years are most favorable. Did you enquire why the thing was being sold with only 128 hours (practically new)?

JEH

PS The TC33 and smaller NH are not really directly comparable to the 1920/2120 series & TC35/40/45.