Opinion need on on NH TC30 setup

ning · Mar 30, 2017

I've been lurking the forums for ages and coming closer and closer to getting a tractor.

I've got 8ac at home currently of grass & brushy/woody/rocky hill, and an endless list of chores to do. While economically I know I'm better off renting a tractor, I end up doing a lot of extra manual labor because I don't like to pile up the chores to the point where renting a tractor for the day makes sense (I did rent one to dig a hole for an old horse, and did a ton of other work after and was just "wow I could shorten my list and then add other stuff to it"). I can afford a tractor, mostly, so I'd rather have one ready to go when I need to dig a hole or move a few wheelbarrows of manure or whatever... also the few times I've rented a tractor, I always find more that I can do with one, so...

Local to me (about 20mi away) there's an estate sale going on right now. They've got a 2005 NH TC30 w/ 1008h; it's got a FEL (7308) and a backhoe (757C). I haven't gone out to look at it yet, but the pictures make it look pretty decent (it's not glossy blue, but looks like it's probably been barn-stored for the most part) and I've heard it on youtube (not sure if putting a craigslist & YT url in here is allowed?).

They're asking $14750 + 7.5% tax. I'm pretty sure that this is about the right size tractor for my purposes. I can afford 14k; is it a good price, assuming that there aren't any evident leaks? I'm mechanically inclined, but haven't worked on tractors before; I've perhaps a couple tens of hours of using them over the last few years combined so I'm obviously no expert.

(They also have a box scraper for $550 and a post hole digger for $500 - sounds like good deals there. So anyone looking for this stuff go and ninja it from me before I get there!)

tlj87 · Mar 30, 2017

The TC30 was the same as the 20 and 15 series Fords and New Holland units from the late 80s through the late 90s, built by Shibaura. Great units. The price sounds OK. If they include the implements you mentioned, that would be a good deal. Unless they are big brands like Woods or LandPride, they're asking too much for them.

rScotty · Mar 30, 2017

ning said:
I've been lurking the forums for ages and coming closer and closer to getting a tractor.

I've got 8ac at home currently of grass & brushy/woody/rocky hill, and an endless list of chores to do. While economically I know I'm better off renting a tractor, I end up doing a lot of extra manual labor because I don't like to pile up the chores to the point where renting a tractor for the day makes sense (I did rent one to dig a hole for an old horse, and did a ton of other work after and was just "wow I could shorten my list and then add other stuff to it"). I can afford a tractor, mostly, so I'd rather have one ready to go when I need to dig a hole or move a few wheelbarrows of manure or whatever... also the few times I've rented a tractor, I always find more that I can do with one, so...

Local to me (about 20mi away) there's an estate sale going on right now. They've got a 2005 NH TC30 w/ 1008h; it's got a FEL (7308) and a backhoe (757C). I haven't gone out to look at it yet, but the pictures make it look pretty decent (it's not glossy blue, but looks like it's probably been barn-stored for the most part) and I've heard it on youtube (not sure if putting a craigslist & YT url in here is allowed?).

They're asking $14750 + 7.5% tax. I'm pretty sure that this is about the right size tractor for my purposes. I can afford 14k; is it a good price, assuming that there aren't any evident leaks? I'm mechanically inclined, but haven't worked on tractors before; I've perhaps a couple tens of hours of using them over the last few years combined so I'm obviously no expert.

(They also have a box scraper for $550 and a post hole digger for $500 - sounds like good deals there. So anyone looking for this stuff go and ninja it from me before I get there!)

Is the TC30 the 2wd or the 4wd version? If it is the 4wd, I'd say it sounds like a sweet deal on a well-respected tractor with the FEL and BH. Hope you get it. In fact, if I were looking for a tractor I'd be out there looking at the condition today. If good - or just a bit weathered...I'd be tempted to take it home.

Now if it the 2wd version (TC30 came both ways) things change a little. If it is the 2wd, it would still be OK pricewise with those attachments.... but not exceptional. You can find that many days with 1000 hrs on it. On our hilly land I cannot use 2wd, so cannot advise farther on that.

The box blade & post hole drill are priced within $50 or so of where you find good used ones quite often. Of course if the box has hydraulic rippers or the PH drill has some extra drilling augerheads in various diameters that would make either into very good deals.
luck,
rScotty

Turbys_1700 · Mar 31, 2017

That is a fair price IMHO if it is 4WD. I had a New Holland 1720 with a Stoll FEL that had 880 hours on it. That tractor and loader will retail between 12K-14K around here. It was cherry. The backhoe on the TC 30 is worth the difference in price.

bspeedy · Mar 31, 2017

I had a TC30 with bush hog brand loader and hoe. Sold it a few years ago with similar hours for around 14,500. I think this setup (if 4wd and in good shape) is worth the asking price. The 757 is a decent hoe and is frame mounted. If the machine is well kept, go for it. My TC30 would hardly darken the oil after 50-75 hours and always started in any weather. Great machine. The Shibaura-built NH tractors are some of the best ever built.

ch1ch2 · Mar 31, 2017

tlj87 said:
The TC30 was the same as the 20 and 15 series Fords and New Holland units from the late 80s through the late 90s, built by Shibaura. Great units. The price sounds OK. If they include the implements you mentioned, that would be a good deal. Unless they are big brands like Woods or LandPride, they're asking too much for them.

I agree with tlj87