Now I know why JInman has such a big grin (TC40DA)

[hazmat]

Dad invited me up for a play date with the new beast. First I must apologize for not bringing the camera along - I just plain forgot. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

First the bad news. Big brother doesn't know how to share well. Brought the chipper up - PTO shaft too short. Decided we should try out the 4' Rotary cutter - snapped the shear pin when engaging it at idle. Big brother wants NEW implemements all to himself - not hand-me-downs (or is that hand-me-ups?) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Plan B - knock down a couple dirt piles & fill in low spot. FULL BUCKET on every scoop! I don't know if it was the toothbar, or simply the added power & mass of the bigger tractor, but it sure was much, much faster than the TC18.

I love the "turbo button" - aka the rabbit/turtle switch. Use low-rabbit for moving dirt around, push turtle for digging into the pile. For general manuvering - ie moving firewood - use high-turtle for the close in work, then, on the road/trail - TURBO! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Only criticizm of the machine itself (other than not wanting to use little brother's implements) is the folding ROPS. Plainly put, it is a poor design /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. What are you supposed to do with the SMV sign??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Now - how do I trade in my TC18 for a TZ24 (Still need to mow the lawn) & a TC40 without getting a divorce? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[DK35vince]

Try mowing the lawn with the TC 40 and see how it works out.
You may decide you don't need the TZ. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Decided we should try out the 4' Rotary cutter - snapped the shear pin when engaging it at idle. )</font>

Is that a pocket full of shear bolts, or are you just happy to see me? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

A 4-foot cutter! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif That's almost 10 hp per foot; like puttin' a 20 hp engine on a push-mower. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Seriously, Hazmat, now you know why so many of us talk about learning how to feather the PTO lever when engaging a rotary cutter without a slipclutch. Every time I forget, POW! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif There goes another shear bolt. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I've learned just where the PTO engages by the position of my lever (it changes slightly as the tractor warms up). I also never go out to mow without at least four shear bolts in my toolbox. I can hit a high spot mound of dirt and shear a bolt before I can get the lift raised.

You'll want to slowly engage the chipper too. The only implement I don't have to be careful with is my PHD.

I knew you would like that joystick button. There is nothing like being able to shift to low range and step on the differential lock to get maximum bucket-filling power to the FEL. That 72" bucket is a beast, but that TC40DA can handle it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

The ROPs and the SMV reflector sure are a pain. What I do is keep a pin in the downlatch hole so instead of locking the ROPs down, I just let it hang down. Mine doesn't flop around or make noise and when it hits the pin, it stops just short of hitting the SMV reflector. You might have to bend the reflector forward some. ...and another thing. With the ROPs not folded all the way, it sits right over the fuel cap, so you have to put it up or remove the pin and crush the SMV while you add fuel from a 5-gal container. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

And BTW: My smile is 'cause mine is paid for. YEA! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TV372]

I mow my lawn with my DX45 =TC45. I have a 6' woods finish mower and works great. Just uncouple the loader bucket for easier turning.

 

[hazmat]

<font color="blue">A 4-foot cutter! That's almost 10 hp per foot; like puttin' a 20 hp engine on a push-mower. </font>

He's re-thinking that right now. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Might be upgrading to a 6 footer sooner than expected (he thought he might try the 4 footer first).

Thanks for the tip on the ROPS pin and feathering the PTO lever.

Unfortunately, getting the machine into the garage requires folding the ROPS. The Barn has enough headroom (might be it's summer home)...

 

[DocHeb]

What type of cutting are you going to be doing? Lots of rocks? Lots of saplings/trees?

Just asking since I purchased a finish mower instead of a shredder, since I didn't have much in the way of saplings/trees to cut. I bought a LandPride FDR2584, and it really moves through weeds well. I will have to slow for chest high weeds, but "lawn" height grass/weeds don't even begin to slow the TC40D with an 84" mower.