TC33DA 6 hour report

Buckee · Dec 6, 2004

She was delivered yesterday 0730; **** the frost on the seat, I hopped aboard & my behind never dried out all day long...
She came with some interesting kit:
TC33DA 4WD w/Hydrostat, R4 Tires (Filled), Grille Guard, Rear Light
14LA Loader w/Skid Steer Quick Attach
Hydraulic Grapple, Tooth Bar (front end is horror movie material)
Rear Remote w/Hydraulic Top Link
Bush Hog SBX-600 5' Box Blade

Worked a mulch pile & 1200' gravel driveway mainly this weekend - a few random observations:
- 3 ranges; she's rough going into 1st unless you feather the clutch a bit - got better thru the weekend
- I am thrilled at how she pulls - digging the boxblade into very hard packed gravel did not slow her down much (blade only - no teeth down)
- By the same token, I'm surprised how she bogs down going up hills. Often brought her to a dead stop in II 2wd- but nothing stops her in I 4WD. Gotta realize I have filled tires, a heavy FEL and the box blade on - she may be more nimble w/less load
- R4 tires were surprisingly kind to the mole-ridden yard round the house - not much damage
- 5+ hours of "rookie" time - still over half full on the 7 gal tank
- it's tight but there's room enough on the VERY comfortable seat for me and my 12 yr old son - got the sale price back right there
- wish I'd got a rear blade - that's gotta come before snow
- Night vision with the FEL does indeed STINK - I am building a light bar clamped below the top ROPS bar; 1.5" PVC, 2 forward/1 rear; thanks to Kris & other's tips
- Not sure why I would need SuperSteer - I am impressed how she turns without it
- Couldn't afford the backhoe - watching TBN for tips on stumps & roots
- This forum has been a godsend - I added the hydro toplink after the deal was made because of you guys. Already, sore neck & all, I know the boxblade would be a monster without it.

Overall I am VERY happy with (her name is TBD). Junior & I ran the power line trail tonight with her and she wants to go right over anything 3" or smaller, will try more stress when the sun's up & I can see. We are moving in springtime to a new home on 14 acres, logged 5 years ago - nothing's uglier - I hope I can learn her sweet spots by then. Thanks TBN for all the advice - it really helped! Buckee

Oh yeah - pix are a'coming. Any "best lit-up tractor" contests for Christmas in Virginia's Northern Neck?

btolle · Dec 6, 2004

( - it's tight but there's room enough on the VERY comfortable seat for me and my 12 yr old son - got the sale price back right there )

Please, please, please, I beg you not to let anyone ride on the tractor with you.

According to Children on the farm :
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An estimated 300 children die each year in farming accidents
· Farm children are twice as likely to die from an accident than their urban counterparts
· An estimated 30,000 children under 20 years of age are injured each year in farming accidents
· If children who visit or work on non-family farms are added the total is estimated to be close to 100,000 injuries
· Nearly 950 farm children suffer some type of permanent disability because of farm accidents annually
· Approximately 90% of the fatalities and injuries occur to male children
· Children under the age of 16 comprise 20% of all farm fatalities
The three primary agents responsible for deaths and injuries to children on the farm are: tractors, farm machinery, and livestock.
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I know it is a thrill for your 12 year old but his safety is more important than any tractor ever built. Stop and think how you would feel if your son were maimed or killed on that tractor.

You have an opportunity to teach your son some safety lessons that may some day save his life. Letting him (or anyone else) ride on the tractor with you teaches him that it is safe when it is in reality an extremely dangerous practice.

I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but I want to see your son grow up and get his own tractor some day.

Bill Tolle

sherpa · Dec 6, 2004

You sound like I felt last Monday when I got my TC33D. We got the same tractor other than the FEL. The power is really hidden in there. It is there when you need it. I want to see a picture of that grill guard, I think I may get one for mine.
Sherpa

jinman · Dec 6, 2004

( I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but I want to see your son grow up and get his own tractor some day. )

Bill, I don't agree with you, so I'm going to state a counter-position. I agree with you completely that I don't want children exposed to unnecessary danger, but I also know that more children are hurt/killed in car/auto accidents each year than on the farm. I would never tell someone that's a reason to "never, nerver" let their children ride in a car. I just think that's a overreaction.

I think we should be safe and careful around all equipment and go out of our way to teach our children how to operate equipment safely. You can't just let a kid grow up and then assume they will be able to operate that equipment safely when they can afford to buy it. That's why we have driver's education classes in our schools, and why we have the responsibility to properly teach our children how to operate equipment before putting them out there by themselves to "sink or swim" on their own.

I think the number of farm accidents involving children are a shame. I'd love to see more kids in FFA and 4-H club where good use and safe operation are rewarded. I believe most accidents can be traced to improper operation or disregarding safe practices involving equipment. I don't believe there are very many accidents from a father taking his son on a joyride on his tractor when not mowing or doing some other chore that can distract him from keeping the child safe. Of course, you sure want to keep the keys locked up and the tractor in a safe condition, because once a kid gets on a tractor, they want to get back on it. If they can find the key, you can bet they will try to start it, especially if you aren't there. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
...just like they will do if you leave your car keys laying around.

So I agree with you on substance, Bill. I just disagree on method. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And Buckee...
Congratulations on the tractor. It sounds like you are going to have your work cut out on that logged property. I'm not sure any of us can give you a good method for digging out stumps with the FEL. It's hard, hard work that a backhoe does much better. I think I'd hire a dozer or rent a big backhoe for that job and then use my TC33DA to clean up the mess afterwards. You can do it with your tractor, but you are gonna get a lot of seat time and dig a lot bigger (wider) hole than you really need to with that FEL. At least, that's my experience. If I can push trees over and pop out the root-ball, it sure makes the job easier. It takes 10 times as long when you have to dig the stump up with the FEL.

I know you'll love that tractor and I'm looking forward to your pictures. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bird · Dec 6, 2004

Jim, I agree with everything you said except ( we have driver's education classes in our schools ). /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Do you know of any schools that still have such classes? The only schools I know of have dropped drivers ed entirely; parents have to pay a private company for the classes or really jump through hoops with the paperwork to do it themselves. I'm in the process of teaching a grandson. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

tc33brad · Dec 6, 2004

Congratulations Buckee on your new tractor. I have a similar 03 33D and have appreciated what it can do. I tried using my fel to dig out stumps and on very small ones I was able to get them out but it took a while and the larger ones I had to leave alone. I recently purchased a backhoe and have dug up numerous stumps around my place but I still had to farm out a few of them because of their size. Good luck and enjoy that new machine.

Golfgar4 · Dec 6, 2004

( Do you know of any schools that still have such classes? )

Yup Bird! We have them in our 2 high schools.

BUT, the school district has the raised the rates to attend the class so high, that the vast majority of the students select the private schools because 1) the cost is almost the same, and 2) they don't have to wait so long to get their license. They have more control of the scheduling of their classes.

I would expect that within the next couple of years, we'll see this program disappear from our schools too.

jinman · Dec 6, 2004

( Do you know of any schools that still have such classes? )

Is my age showing? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Of course, you are right for Texas schools at least. I remember when local car dealers used to donate cars for D-Ed and coaches were normally the teachers. Hmm... That was back in '62. I'm so depressed! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Syncro · Dec 6, 2004

Hmm... That was back in '62

Did you say nineteen sixty TWO? Wow, you are old /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif About as old as me /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif, see attached pic of my driver ed car taken in 1962 back in NY.

Hey Buckee, congrats on the new tractor! Man, there ain't nothing like haveing a new machine, and you made a very good choice. As for the rider issue, I rather think its not an issue at all, you sure seem to have pretty good judgement (or you wouldn't have got such a great setup /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) Enjoy and have fun teaching your kids, they will forever remember such good times. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bird · Dec 6, 2004

( I remember when local car dealers used to donate cars for D-Ed )
( That was back in '62 )

Ah, you youngsters, but yep, when I took drivers ed in high school, there was no cost and the local Ford dealer "loaned" a car to the school each year for the school year. Mine was '56 Ford 4-door sedan; manual transmission, no power accessories or air-conditioner. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I believe when our older daughter took drivers ed in high school, it cost me $110 and three years later, the younger one's drivers ed cost $135. And I'm not sure when they stopped offering it at all. I understand the private schools around here charge about $300 and up for their classes.