TC-30 vs. TC-24DA ?

AndyM · Jun 1, 2004

(Just my personal opinion) /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

If you're going to upgrade, go with the TC30.

You've already got a TC18, and in my opinion, 18 hp is enough power for a Class I Boomer for my needs, so buying a TC24 is not really an upgrade, unless you simply want something newer.

The TC30 was my first choice. It's an excellent value for the money, much more tractor for the same amount of money as the TC24. However, I had a budget that only let me buy a TC18, and it has served most of my needs well enough so far.

I personally would buy the TC30. Go get the most tractor you can for the money... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Good luck, and post pictures when your new tractor arrives! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Inspector507 · Jun 1, 2004

Andy,
I looked at and drove the TC30 at a show in Louisville before I bought my TC18. Finances would not allow me to go much more than the TC18 with the FEL and MMM. Otherwise I would have bought the TC30 in a heartbeat.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 1, 2004

OK I am the contrarian of the bunch, I opted for the TC24 because it gave me a lot of power in a very small package.

MNnAR · Jun 1, 2004

( Some differences, but I'm not sold on the 7308 loader for the TC30 )
The curiosity got the cat so to speak (this time me being the cat). I was just wondering why the comment about the 7308 loader and what would be your loader of choice for the TC30? I bought a new TC30 with a 7308 loader, hydro trans and R4 tires about 8 months ago. I have about 7 acres (rough and hilly) I’m working. I’ve moved several yards of dirt, bush-hogged, dragged trees, box-bladed a gravel road and driveway, etc., etc. and have been completely satisfied with this machine . . . it’s done everything I’ve asked. I just completed the first (50 hour) service on my TC30 this past weekend and plan to work her hard during the upcoming summer and fall.

AndyM · Jun 1, 2004

OK I am the contrarian of the bunch, I opted for the TC24 because it gave me a lot of power in a very small package. 

I never had a chance to compare the TC18 and TC24. Driving around in a paved parking lot at a tractor dealership really doesn't prove anything anyway! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif However, my TC18 hasn't failed to do what's been asked of it so far. I don't have a FEL, but Don and Jerry both have FEL's on their TC18's, and I know for a fact from the pictures he has posted that Don has done some REALLY serious work with his!

My question is, why bother spending the extra money for a TC24, when a TC18 would do the same thing for less money?
Out of curiousity, what would I have gained by buying a TC24? For that matter, what would be different if Inspector507 or OkeeDon opted for a TC24 instead?

The same thing goes for the TZ18 versus the TZ24. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Knowing what I know about the power of my TC18, it seems the TZ24 would be a little overpowered for its size?

I should have asked this question a year ago...
I guess it's a moot point now that the TC18 has been discontinued, but I couldn't understand paying extra for the TC24, when you can get a TC30 for the same price and a TC18 for $2000 less! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

jinman · Jun 1, 2004

( I'll go with the TC-30 and now I only have to set a price on the TC-18. )

I'm glad you've settled on a decision. I don't think you would have gone wrong with either tractor, but when you initially said you needed more power, the TC-30 just seemed to fit the bill. I think the 14LA has given the 7308 "lame duck" status because it has less lift capability and is harder to install and remove than the xxLA styles.

You won't have a flat operator's platform on the TC30, but everything is right out in the open much more than the "operator platform" styles.

Sure, I like the TC30. If I didn't need the power of my TC45, I think I'd have bought the TC30. It just seems like a lot of value in a nice sized package. But heck, I like the TC24 too. I'm glad it was you making the decision instead of me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bob_Skurka · Jun 1, 2004

AndyM . . . I doubt there is THAT much difference in capabilities between the 18 & the 24.

The 24 can operate some slightly larger rear implements or can operate the same size implements without bogging down. I've yet to bog down the 60" snowblower, even with slushy snow. The 24 easily runs a 60" rear finish mower even in some heavy-wet grass. Under some conditions a 5' rear blade is a bit much for my 24 and better suited for my B2910, but that blade is more often on the 24 because it is easier to get the small tractor into a ditch and the 24 will move a bunch of snow or sand with that 5' blade.

From the standpoint of FEL work, I doubt that you'd really notice a difference between an 18 and a 24.

As for your concern about the 24 being too powerful for its size, I suppose the same arguement could be made for a 45ACP Colt Officer's Model. . . but that is my favorite gun so I suppose it stands to reason that the TC24 is my favorite tractor.

hockeyhead · Jun 1, 2004

I've owed a tc-30 since May 2003, 139 trouble free hours, I run a 60" BB, 72" RFM, 60" tiller, 9" PHD, and a 60" rotary with it. She runs all these implement very well in my hard rocky clay ground. I did alot (years) of research before buying (not all by my choice) and the TC-30 give alot of bang for the buck. Oh and I truly like my 7308 loader /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

OkeeDon · Jun 2, 2004

I was just wondering why the comment about the 7308 loader and what would be your loader of choice for the TC30? 

There's nothing wrong with the 7308 loader, and it's probably the best match for the TC30. The TC30 has the more traditional styling, and the square loader arms are a good match. Without the sloping hood of the other Boomers, the curved loader arms of the LA series loaders wouldn't offer much advantage.

The comments about the 7308 loader are in comparison to the 12LA loader on the Category I boomers. Remember, in general, the specs for a loader are pretty much independent of the tractor. As long as there's enough hydraulic flow, and as long as we're not getting ridiculous, it's possible to have a stronger loader on a smaller tractor. Back when the TC18, TC24, etc. had a 7306 loader, the 7308 was significantly better. When the 12LA was introduced, the loader has almost the same capacities as the 7308. The 7308 on the TC29DA and TC33DA will be replaced with a brand new 14LA, which will return the significant difference.

In other words, comparing a TC18 or TC24 with a 12LA loader to the TC30 with a 7308 loader, the TC20 has a significant advantage in 3 point lift, horsepower, PTO horsepower, hydraulic capacity and weight. But, the loader is not really very much more capable. If you do a lot of loader work, the TC18 with a 12LA is almost as capable as the TC30. That's why I ended up with a TC18 instead of a TC30, or the TC33D I went in to buy. The TC18 will bush hog and box blade as well as the others, as long as you're willing to use a smaller implement (4') and take a few extra passes. I don't have any PTO implements other than the brush hog. Finally, about 75% of what I do involves the FEL one way or another; from uprooting trees and brush to loading the dump trailer to pulling engines to being a powered wheel barrow to serving as a personnel lift -- and a whole bunch more. The loader is the single most important function on my tractor, and the 12LA has done everything I've asked of it, including lifting a VW Rabbit body by strapping the bucket against the door and cantilevering the body out in front of the bucket (need lot's of counterweight for that one). Of course, the TC30 would do all that and a little bit more (the 7308 is a little bit stronger than the 12LA), but for me, the additional cost wasn't worth it.

A side note about PTO horsepower -- there have been some implements I would have considered "neat" if I had enough PTO HP to run them. But, even the TC30/TC33DA don't have enough -- for the stuff I was looking at, I'd have had to go at least to the TC40 to get enough HP -- and that would have been way too much tractor for my property and needs. So, there will just have to be some things I can't have. I've pushed them out of my mind so completely that I can't even remember what they were -- but I do remember numbers like 35 to 40 PTO HP. Oh, yeah -- there was a cool 1/3 cu. yd. concrete mixer I could have bought used -- I think it was 37 PTO HP.

MNnAR · Jun 2, 2004

An interesting insight and I thank you for sharing it. When I bought my TC30 I looked at one that was a little less expensive ($400 or $500) with an after-market loader. I don't remember the model, specs, etc. but the capabilities of the loader were not quite up to par with the 7308 loader. I remember reading the opinions of some of the TBNers who stated that if all possible, stick with the manufacturers loader vice an after-market one when purchasing a new tractor. That's what I did and I ended up with the 7308 which has served me well.