TC30 - How many hours do you have?

[MDM]

I've narrowed my search down to the TC30 HST, Kuboto L2800HST, and Mahindra 2815 HST. All three will meet my needs. The TC30 has been out atleast twice as long as the L2800 and the Mahindra 2815HST just came out this spring. I know the TC30 is a basic machine, but it is a tried and true design, is it not? I want to make this a one time purchase, so I want something that will last a couple thousand hours with no major repairs. I need some TC30 owners to sound off on what they think of their tractor and how many hours they have.

The TC30 seems to be a tried and true design, but a bit dated.

The Kubotas seem to have one of the best diesel motors, but I just get the feeling that some other parts of their tractors are not made as well. For example, my dad has been a Ford tractor man all his life. He is a township trustee and they got a new 50hp Kubota a few years ago to take care of the roads, and the clutch has went out of it twice already. Dad says the clutch is not big enough.

The Mahindra seems to be a nice machine and has all the bells and whistles, but they haven't been in the US market that long, so who knows if I will be able to get part and service in 20 years. Anyone have an opinion on Mitsubishi diesel engines?

Decisions, decisions...

 

[VAChesterfield]

I purchased my TC 30 9x3 with Rhino FEL in Jun 2004 and just rolled over 320 hours. I have been turning 10 acres of woodland into a home site + horse pastures and have been pushing the little machine hard -- at least it seems so to me. Had a contractor take down the big trees, but I have been busy pulling up small stumps with the FEL, running around with my box blade with scarifiers down grubbing up roots, mowing down underbrush with my King Kutter rotary mower, spreading seed and fertilizer, and putting up a 100 or so fence posts. My wife says I must have purchased every possible attachment, but she's wrong. There are lots more toys on my wish list.

So far, nothing has broken, so no need to haul the rig to the dealer. The machine is rugged, reliable and it's so simple that I have done all the routine maintenance and services myself --- and I am no mechanic. I know just enough to tell a left handed wrench from a right handed one.

I am a big fan of the NH TC 30 and wholeheartedly recommend it. In my opinion, it will give you the biggest bang for the buck. Whatever you buy, have fun and post some pictures.

 

[Todd_C]

I bought my TC 30 in 2004 and I have 125 hours on it. I only had 7.5 acres when I got my TC 30 and I have now added another 15 acres. I have used mine to maintain 1.5 miles of gravel roadway, to clear out an area for a garage, and to make a play ground for my children. I have no complaints and I'm impressed about the capabilities of this little tractor. The best compliment I ever got was from a dumptruck driver who delivered 12 18 ton loads of gravel for the garage foundation. My TC 30 moved all 12 loads in 9 hours. The driver wanted to know where I kept the big tractor because he did not believe my TC 30 could do so much.

 

[hockeyhead]

I have about 360 hours on a 2003 tc-30, gear, 7308 loader, rear remotes. I have had no problems at all, and it has never been back to a dealer. I've also done all the maintenence myself. I have a 72 rfm, 60" rotary, 60" BB, 60" tiller, and a PHD for it. It runs all these implements very well.

 

[Birdman253]

I know of a TC-30 owned by a local shopping center, and used to pull a trash trailer. It is used 7 days a week, year round. It is a 2003 model, and they have just under 2500 hours on it, with no problems other than normal maintenence.

 

[MDM]

^ That's what I wanna hear...

 

[jand38]

I have a TC 30 and I wish I had got the Hydro other than that best toy this old man ever owned.

 

[HRS]

MDM,

It is not going to let you down, if quality is your biggest concern. You are asking TC30 owners, might as well ask TC33 owners. Take the skin off, and the two are basically the same. Then consider talking to people who own the 20 and I think the 10 series once sold by Ford, basically the same. Just a little I learned and talked about when researching the tractor. I only have 50 hours on her, but it is a fun little tractor to operate. I bought mine to mow and install gardens and food plots. Everything I've done with it, it has been in 2wd with unloaded tires, trailered often. I've been very impressed with its power. Get an umbrella of some sort when you buy. I've found that working with it is fun, so I'm often burnt pretty bad before I come in.