TC33d or TC35

BigBob · Sep 22, 2002

Howdy everyone, new here but have been reading for a long time. Seems to be a pretty good group of people here. I am getting a new tractor. Got the O.K. from the boss(wife) yesterday. Been a long time Kubota fan, but the new TC's are changing my mind. I've read about the TC33D but haven't seen much of the TC35, I'm referring to the shuttle shift version. Got some prices, the 33d is about $500.00 more than the 35. My Kubota is a shuttle shift so I'm used to that, question I have is on the TC35. Do you have to clutch between gear changes or can you shift on the fly? Don't know much about the blue ones yet,(or their red counterparts). All I do know is when you set on the seat you can see everything around you,especially the loader bucket. My wife made me a deal, I can get a new tractor if I quit smoking. So I am going to be the most short tempered new tractor driver you ever saw. I get kind of windy, so thanks for your patience.BigBob.

Kodiak · Sep 22, 2002

Hi BigBob welcome to the forum.

I can't answer your qestion about the shutle shift TC35. But I will tell you what I did this spring. I to am a gear tranny person since back when the world was still cooling. So when it came time to purchase a new tractor this spring. I decided a Class II Boomer was the right size, but they don't make the Class II with the shuttle shift. However they do make the TC29 with the fully synchronized tranny and live pto. And the gear shift is mounted on the dash right next to the steering wheel. With first and reverse in line verticly from each other. you still have to use the clutch but thats second nature. And easy as could be to go up or down through the gears. I love not having to reach for the floor to shift. Loader work is also a breeze. And for me the tractor is just the right size, after downsizing from my older Kubota L345DT.

jinman · Sep 23, 2002

BigBob, the 12x12 shuttle shift transmission has a lever on the left of the steering wheel for forward-reverse shuttle shifting and on the right a fully synchronized (shift on the go) four speed shift lever for the transmission. You must depress the clutch to shift speeds, but you don't have to stop. There is a range control lever on the left of the seat for changing ranges. This is not a synchronized operation. I don't own one of these, so I can't give you first-hand info. I can offer you first-hand encouragement to quit smoking. After 29 years, I quit cold-turkey and it's now been over five years. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but well worth the effort. So, buy the tractor and live longer. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

buckeye · Sep 23, 2002

BigBob:

I own a TC40 with the 12x12 transmission. All is like jinman stated in his post. I have never had a hydrostatic transmission so I cannot really comment about them although I am sure they are nice.

The shifting on my TC40 is easy and I really like the placement of both the shuttle and gear shift next to the steering wheel. The range selector (A, B and C) is readily usable although my tractor spends 95% of the time in B-range.

The shuttle shift is easy to use for the loader, but I can see where others state that a hydro tractor is superior for loader work. I don't do much loader work so the shuttle shift is not an issue.

As far as I can tell, you cannot beat the view from a Class III boomer with its loader. They way the 16LA or 17LA loader slope with the hood is marvelous. I think they are coming out with a '-LA type loader for Class-II boomers next year.

That's my $0.10 worth.

OverlyRun · Sep 23, 2002

BigBib,.

I have the TC35 with the 12X12. The shuttle shift lets me change directions without coming to a stop and the clutch is such second nature, I had to sit here and think about whether I use it or not. I don't do much FEL work, but mowing my lower field involves all sorts of poking in and out of gullies and corners. Like others I've never used the HST, so may not know the nirvana I'm missing. When I bought, the larger HP and loader capacity I could afford on the 35-geared seemed a worthwhile tradeoff for the lower capacity 33D that I would otherwise be cost-constrained to get. I've got not regrets, other than not getting enough seat time.

You could always test drive one of both..

Chas.

Golfgar4 · Sep 25, 2002

Hey BigBob,

Can't offer you info. on the tractor, but I can speak directly to the quitting smoking issue! I did it in January of '01 after 30 + years. I didn't do it cold turkey like Jinman. I used the patch - and it was so darn easy that I wondered why I didn't do it before then. Within the first week, the cough was gone, I was walking up stairs and NOT wheezing, and most importantly - I was walking more and more on the golf course (sorry FunBuggy! /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif).

I sure wish my wife would 've made me that offer. I can't complain though, she's supportive.

Good luck. You CAN DO IT!! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif You won't regret it, and you'll feel like you got away with something. Getting a tractor just for feeling better! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

grainger12002 · Oct 2, 2002

I have a TC 35 after operating a JD for many years and it is a very nice tractor.You do have to use the clutch every time you go back and forth. This is a nice work-horse,very economical to run.