TC30 History

Golfgar4 · Apr 16, 2002

I was over in Machinerylink.com and I noticed that under the NH listing, there are no TC30's listed at all. The list goes from the TC29 to the TC33. Why is this? Is the TC30 model new this year? Was it called something else and then reborn?

Just wondering what the history of the tractor might be, as it is one that I'm looking at closely.

spencer200 · Apr 16, 2002

TC30 first became available to dealers last November.

DocHeb · Apr 16, 2002

The TC30 is not a "Boomer", but is instead an attempt at a lower-price compact tractor. There is talk of a brother unit with higher horsepower in the works. I'm not sure why they used the same TC prefix in the model number. This lack of logical nomenclature - it really upsets us obsessive/compulsive, perfectionist (and possibly somewhat ****) types.

spencer200 · Apr 16, 2002

TC in the New Holland world stands for Tractor Compact. Boomer is the real identity mark they want used.

Golfgar4 · Apr 17, 2002

Thanks for the info. I guess I never heard (or forgot - that 50+ thing /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif) that it was a new model.

"This lack of logical nomenclature - it really upsets us obsessive/compulsive, perfectionist (and possibly somewhat ****) types."

Geesh DocHeb - it's just downright confusing, too!/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

dummy · Apr 17, 2002

But doesn't it look an awful lot like the old 17() series? Another version of once was old, is new again?

John_Mc · Apr 17, 2002

But doesn't it look an awful lot like the old 17() series?

My dealer described the TC 30 as "a 17xx resurrected to be our 'price fighter'... it's the NH answer to JD's 790". I don't know if that is exactly rue or not, but I believe others have stated here that the engine/drivetrain has a lot in common with the 1700 series.

John Mc

Golfgar4 · Apr 17, 2002

"...it's the NH answer to JD's 790".

I've heard that too. So far, I'd have to say that NH has got JD beat with this tractor. It offers a hydro. transmission, which the 790 does not, and has greater 3 pt lifting capacity than the 790. These are the main reasons I've been looking at the TC30. Since I probably won't be buying for another year, it'll give NH some time to work out the bugs in a new line. That's a GOOD thing! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

spencer200 · Apr 17, 2002

They are basically the same tractor as the 1620. For comparison you could use the 1720 but the 1720 did not have a hydro version.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 17, 2002

recently purchased tc30 and seems like a very nice tractor so far,but one problem im having is bending the stabelizers when I pull my finish mower.
their not the heavy duty kind that come on the boomers. their just a cheap turnbuckle hope I can upgrade.

Golfgar4 · Apr 17, 2002

Have you talked to your dealer about that? That sure doesn't sound like something that should be happening with a brand new machine. I'd want to know how that problem is resolved, 'cause that's just the kind of bug that a new model can experience. Hopefully NH will iron that out for you.

Mrwurm · Apr 18, 2002

Garry, I took delivery of my new TC30 last Saturday. I've been a bit out-of-commision so I have'nt used it much yet. My dealer told me that, while it shares some parts with the 1620 (sheet metal and controls), the engine is from the TC33 and the trans and rear-end is from the TC29. So, it seems to me that there is'nt much 'new' on this tractor for us buyers to field test. So far I'm really impressed with the quality and value and I'm really glad I opted for the turf tires.
Jerry

Golfgar4 · Apr 18, 2002

Well, that's good to hear. I knew you'd gotten your tractor recently, and was hoping you'd join in! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Sorry to hear you haven't been able to use it all that much..yet. I bet you have plans to make up for it though, right?/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Keep an eye out for the problem that jcamille mentioned - the bent stabilizers. He said that it's happening while using his finish mower. Is there that much force being applied when pulling a finish mower?/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif That seems a little extreme, so doesn't it sound like he might have the wrong stabilizers on the tractor?

Mrwurm · Apr 18, 2002

It's a little hard to explain, but I'll try. My old tractor had stabilizers that preventing the lift-arms from straying too far outward. These stabilizers were under tension when they would try to swing out. On the TC30 the stabilizers are in the more traditional configuration of preventing the lift-arms from straying too far inward as opposed to outward. This puts the stabilizers under compression as the load shifts. I have not used a heavy 3pt implement yet but I have been looking at the 3pt and I can imagine how the described problem could happen. Maybe adjusting the stabilizers for the particular use is in order here.

Also, much to my surprise, I have discovered that my TC30 has turn signals. You can just imagine how thrilled my wife was when I woke her up to tell her!!

Jerry

Golfgar4 · Apr 18, 2002

"Also, much to my surprise, I have discovered that my TC30 has turn signals."

Well, now that I know it has turn signals, search is over! Deals done! Why even bother considering something else?/w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

DVerbarg · Apr 18, 2002

The bent anti-sway bar problem.

Had the same problem and have successfully solved the problem, at least it has not bent since. The anti-sway bar on the TC40D looks something like this drawing (please excuse its crudeness):

Do your bars look like this? Does this make sense? The basic idea was to get the one bar to take the tension before the other took the compression.

spencer200 · Apr 18, 2002

Jerry

Did you get the same response as the guy on the volkswagon commercial when he shows his wife how all the windows go down with the key? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Mrwurm · Apr 18, 2002

Rick, it appears you were following my line of thought precisely. She is equally impressed about the easy-access oil filter location.
Jerry

spencer200 · Apr 18, 2002

/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Mrwurm · Apr 18, 2002

Dave, the TC30 does not have a sophisticated system of sliding planes like your deluxe TC40. The TC30 simply has a turnbuckle with a eye-hook on each end. The only slack in the compression direction is the inherent movement in the turnbuckle and the eyebolt tolerance. Maybe an inch at best. I just spent two hours pulling a 1000 lb lawn lower around my lot and can find no bending or damage. My stabilizers appear to have been adjusted to the optimum length before delivery (last Saturday). I have raised my 3pt arms with a backblade attached and cannot swing them enough either way to create a compression situation on either side. I think I got lucky and got a good set-up guy. Thanks,

Jerry

Note: I was pulling the lawn roller with a bar across the 3pt arms (not the drawbar).