opinion required pleas

RADIUM · Jul 31, 2005

Hello everyone after years of trying to keep a gravelly tractor K19 together I finally surrendered an purchase the TC 26 D now I know the 26 will easily do everything I require considering the K19 did it for years ,almost 15 years it originally was my fathers who also owned a John Deere 1010 row crop series which also requires constant upkeep considering its 40 years old, the question I have will the 26 be able to take over the 1010 workflow by that I mean running a 60 inch flail or brush cutter. My brother purchase a 33D it is quite amazing to see what the machine can do, but I can't afford the nearly $4000 difference in price. I hope that someone can give me an idea of what the 26 or 24 can handle, my 26 is still sitting at the dealer waiting for the underneath 60 inch deck . so I have a few days the dealer doesn't care if I want to buy the 33 but I will have to get incredibly fiscal to figure out where to come up with the extra money if I need to? to give you an idea of what I maintain it is almost nine acres of lawn and 25 acres of open level fields with some hardwood in upstate New York. So any opinion or experience would be greatly appreciated in the next few days thank you

RickB · Jul 31, 2005

Neither tractor will truly match the capabilities of the 1010. Skip the MMM, save some $, get the 33 with a RFM with the savings and additional cash. You will tire of removing/installing the MMM.

thcri · Jul 31, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You will tire of removing/installing the MMM. )</font>

I don't know about tiring, I can see it happening I am just not there yet, but I would rather mow with a MMM over a RFM anyday. Unless it is widen open area and you have no trees to go around. The MMM is nicer for going around things and much easier on the neck.

murph

have_blue · Jul 31, 2005

I wholeheartedly agree with RickB.

You can get a 20% wider mower for less bucks with a RFM.

You have a lot of land there. Spend all you can on a bigger tractor. Make your brother clear out the brush for you, and all you have to do is finish mow from then on. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RADIUM · Jul 31, 2005

thank you for your quick response, but I am not really concerned with the underneath attachment my real question is how big a rear attachment can the 26 handle, I know what the handling capacity in literature suggests but how about some real-life experiences with the machine. I also know the 26 is a new edition to the lineup how about some people with the 24 and real-life everyday action.as far as the underneath attachment goes it is necessary due to the fact of the large number of trees and hilly conditions around the immediate house not to mention the massive amount of leaves in the fall that need to be cleaned up with for now my brothers borrowed leaf vacuum attachment. Anyway thanks again I have about three more days to finally decide either way I will let you know of my decision thanks so much all who took the time to answer.

Alan L. · Jul 31, 2005

I'm not familiar with either tractor, but I do know that you would likely not regret having spent too much on a tractor thats too powerful, but not the other way around.

jwstewar · Jul 31, 2005

I have a TC24D. I run the 60"MMM Rear-Discharge. I don't mind taking it off and putting it on at all. I can do it quicker than than I can my 4 foot bush hog. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif It is easier to line the pins up - I don't have a Pat's Easy Change - yet. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I have the 4' King Kutter. I have as yet to be able to bog the tractor down with it (the MMM is another story). I've gone into fairly this stuff taller than the tractor rollbar and the cutter didn't even know it was there. I've not down 1 - 2" stuff w/o a hesitation or even as much a puff of black smoke. The dealer recommended the 4' and for how I have to cut, it is probably best, but I do sometimes wish I had the 5' as it would cover the tires better because currently the 4' is the same width as the tires and if/when I get around to flipping them out, it'll be narrower than the tires and that makes it hard to mow up against fences and such. I wouldn't histate on putting a 5 footer behind the 26. Most of the time you'll be fine power wise, if you find you aren't take a little smaller bite or slow down. Now weight wise, hope you are getting a FEL or you had better be springing for lots of front weight.

Now from another standpoint, if you were to manage to come up with some extra
$, I could see where the 72" mower would be nice with the 33 - if it is all open, but if there are a bunch of trees other structures you would have to go around and squeeze into, the 26 w/ a 60" would out cut it because of maneuvarability.

Just my .02 worth.

Soundguy · Aug 2, 2005

I think a 26 ( 26hp? ) is going to be on the low side of 'ideal', but at or above 'acceptable' with a 5' rough cut mower.

Lots of guys use old Ford N's with 5' mowers... low gear.. The N was a 26-27hp gas tractor from 1939-1952.. Runs a 5' mower ok.

The 26' will have better gear /ground speed options, and you can always take a 4' cut if the material is too thick and starts to bog the tractor down.

I'd get an economy or light / light-medium duty mower.. like a howse or KK 5' mower. Less weight for the tractor to tote around.. that equals more hp to the blade.. and less used toting the mower.. etc.

Soundguy