TC33D or TC35D

[jinman]

Don't, under any circumstances, drive a TC45D! You'll find some justification for it./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif I know. I did!/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

JimI

 

[npalomba]

It's going to be difficult since there is only a $500 difference between them.

 

[Hawgee]

jinman is right. ugh, ugh. I can hear Tim the tool man now. If your going to try the larger of the three TC's then try the TC45D. I did. I still have dreams at night. Awesome. I have justified that size when replacing an old MF Utility 35. It is the model series with 16" rubber on the front but that is where it stops. Everything else is so much nicer.
If you go for the larger tractor, we want to hear some post's on how you didn't get enough seat time before the projects were over. Or a post in Rural Living on how you had to go buy more property. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
What we do know is we are in the right place to share and care. Find out the in's and out's before a purchase or some dumb tractor trick that may injure. (see Safety)

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

 

[drtractor]

DaveV:

Noticed that you have a FEL and a snow blower. What do you use for snow?? I am little tight on budget (haven't bought yet) trying to get into the bigger tractor (either a 35 or a 40) and was potentially trading off the FEL for a year to get the bigger unit. I was hoping to "get by" for the first year of snow with a back blade.

I am currently building a home in north Idaho. I wanted the larger frame for stability on the hills. I have all of the typical chores to do: cleaning, pushing, bushhogging, weeds, bushes, firewood, etc.....

Any suggestions??

thanks,

drtractor

 

[DVerbarg]

drtractor,

Bought the FEL with the tractor and used the back blade, FEL, and snow blower this past winter. Before I give my recommendation let me preface by giving my topography/situation. My driveway is gravel, 1300ft long, has less than 12ft of drop, and is bordered by alfalfa hay fields on both sides. Snow drifts are common.

The back blade is an all around value favorite (read cheap /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif), except when deep and long snow drifts are involved. I had one recurring snow drift that was 3 to 4 ft deep, 250 long that ran right down the driveway /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. Using the FEL took about 4 hours to clear just the drift out--each time. Broke down and bought the snow blower. Only snowed once more after that but it only took 20 minutes to do the entire job (including a five minute warm-up).

The property was new for me this year and did not know how to properly prepare by installing a snow fence. Now I know ...

Buy the larger tractor with the back blade, save your money up, then get the FEL --unless you are in a snow belt AND get lots of drifts. I used a backblade for years with an old Ford 9N and used it with drifts but the drifts were perpendicular with the driveway, not running parallel for hundreds of feet.

If your tractor purchase is a long-term purchase then use a long-term perspective. Buy the pieces you will use for the long-term as you have the money available.

DaveV

 

[djradz]

Nick, I did almost the same as you are but I started looking at the 33 to begin with as I already had a 1720 @ about 28 hp. I looked at the 33 and it was smaller than the 1720 and with just a little HP more was not worth spending for something new, so at only a few 100 more I went to the 35D, ordered one, and when the dealer told me it might take a few months, canceled the order and thought on it some more then ordered a 40D. Got it back in January and it has been a terrific piece of machine, buuuuuuuutttttt it is biiiiiigggggg. I have 30 acres and work quite a bit of it. If you only have 3, I'd strongly suggest the 33. My 1720 really was good enough for almost every job I ever did. ... and it did a good job of finish mowing. Since I got the 40D we also purchased a lawn tractor for mowing because the 40, in my mind is just to big for that task. Brush Hogging, plowing, pulling, planting, etc it's great, but finish mowing around a homestead, just too big. I know the small difference from the 33 to the 35 is really tempting, but big is not always better. Good luck in your decision.

 

[npalomba]

I konw what your saying. I have a Troy Build riding mower for mowing so I don't think that's a problem, this would be for leveling the yard (I like the extra loader capicity) which is going to take about 150 to 200 yards of fill; backhoing bunch of tree stumps, building retaining walls, snow plowing about 50 inches of snow a year.... that type of stuff.

I am going to see both of them side by side tomorrow.

 

[npalomba]

Ok, Just got home from the dealer. It's one that's a little further away from another but they have been much better to deal with.

I drove the 35d and the 33d. I want the 35 (cuz I love big toys) but it's just too big for me. The extra loader capacity would be great but long term. Just too big. But, for those of you that have the land it's a great machine

I am going to the 33d and going to make a purchase over the next few weeks. I am going with the loader first and then I'll be looking at another attachments. Thanks all for your comments.

 

[Hawgee]

Remember just before signing, if you feel real comfortable with your dealer to tell him he will be delivering to a new home and there is nothing on the back. That 3pt may look pretty naked and now would be a good time to arm wrestle on total package and will this thing come to your drive wearing shorts or full length jeans. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Sounds like you are comfortable with your decision and the kind of guy that will care for and keep this for some time. Good luck.

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

 

[Mike H]

FWIW - I made the same decision a year ago. Went with the 33d because the 35 was physically a bit too large. I don't have any regrets with my decision.