TC18 finally showed up!

[AndyM]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am interested in the TC18 gear model as well. Could you post some pics of the gear shift set up. Is it on the fender or around the steering wheel someplace? )</font>

Here a picture for you. I think we're in the minority. I personally think Hydrostatic transmission is overrated. Maybe it's because all I've ever had were gear tractors, or maybe it's because I'm too cheap to spend an extra $800 to $900!

 

[AndyM]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That's a very nice set-up you got there! Do you plan on adding a front end loader at any point? )</font>

Absolutely! I spent the maximum that Mrs. AndyM would let me spend, so the front end loader will have to come later. I have a 250 foot driveway, but I'm going to have to try to clear the snow with my back blade this winter. We'll see how that works...

My next door neighbor's wife couldn't understand why he needed a front end loader on his tractor, and now she uses it more than he does!

 

[LawnButcher]

Thanks AndyM,

Looks like a very convenient location for the shifter... keeping the right hand free to work other levers.

Have fun!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Andy, I have a TC24D with a 60" Befco Finish Mower on the back end and I do wheelies /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif with my tractor if I go over a bump with the deck lifted up, even on flat ground. Most of my property is rolling hills and I some very steep slopes.

As the TC24D and the TC18 are basically identical in size (but the 18 will be even lighter in front than the 24), you may find that you will lift the front end off the ground if you are running with your deck lifted. I am adding 100 pounds to the front wheels of my tractor using the EZ Weights brand system to put the weight inside the wheels on a 1" threaded bar. I'm cutting off some 8 1/2" solid steel bar stock and will slide it over the EZ Weight spindle for a lot of weight, down very low on the tractor.

I considered adding suitcase weights to the front of the tractor but my garage is pretty tight, after filling it with all my toys and the suitcase weights increase the overall lenght of the tractor. EZ Weights fit inside the wheel and place the weight even lower on the tractor.

Anyway, watch your front end when you go over a bump if you have that big 60" deck lifted up for transport, you may find you can't steer because the tractor's nose is in the air.

 

[fivestring]

Nice setup, Andy.
Congratulations.
I think you'll like the 60 inch mower better anyway.
I put anywhere from 2 to 4 weights (80-180 lbs) on the front of my tractor. The faster you go to and from mowing area with the mower lifted, the more the tractor will bounce without the weights.

 

[5030]

Andy:

The tractor and mower are nice, but the pup is nice too. Lab perhaps?

 

[Inspector507]

Nice tractor AndyM.........I have the Hydro version and love it

 

[AndyM]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The tractor and mower are nice, but the pup is nice too. Lab perhaps? )</font>

Daryl,
That's Allie. She's half chocolate lab and half husky (one blue eye and one brown eye). She follows us everywhere (even follows alongside the tractor) and is really spoiled. When we built the house earlier this year, we had all of the windows lowered six inches so she could look outside! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif People laugh at us when we tell them that, but she sits there forever (see the picture).

Our old house was on a fenced in 60 x 100 city lot, and we were worried about not having anything here to keep her from wandering off. She ran after a deer once and ended up in the horse pasture next door once, but otherwise has stayed on the property without fences or anything.

 

[AndyM]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I put anywhere from 2 to 4 weights (80-180 lbs) on the front of my tractor. The faster you go to and from mowing area with the mower lifted, the more the tractor will bounce without the weights. )</font>

So far, I haven't had too much of a problem. Since this is going to be my primary mower (since the Craftsman died), I'm trying to keep it as light as possible (I don't want too much weight driving over my septic field), but if it becomes a problem I'll have to add some weight to the front. I'm sure I'm going to have to buy some weights for the front, but with this rain, I've barely gotten to use the thing yet to really know! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
When (if?) I get the front end loader, it might take care of the problem...

 

[banjobj]

A thing of Beauty /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I know you will enjoy this new investment /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif