TC35 power loss

[LabLuvR]

I purchased a TC35 back in the late summer. It has the hydro stat transmission. I love it but have to wonder whether it is normal for the tractor to lose, what seems to me like a lot of power going up small hills. If I put it in range 1 it does pretty good, but in range 2 it really seems to lose power very easily on even the smallest of hills. Is this typical? Thanks!

 

[tcreeley]

I have a TC30 9x3 manual. The engine is solid. I am guessing- have you changed the hydraulic filter/ fluid? Is something restricting the flow?
On mine the higher gears require more rpm. ...like I said I am guessing- only driven a hydrostatic a couple of times.

 

[jkralt]

We used to have a TC35 but it also had a mechanical tranny, 12x12. It was a little gutless in high range, especially with any kind of load. I would check the hydraulic filter though. We just traded it this summer and it had 3800hrs on it and we had little trouble over 11 year we had it.

 

[LabLuvR]

The machine I bought was like brand new with only 386 hours. Could the filter still a problem?

 

[jkralt]

Not sure, depends on the conditions I guess and if you've used any hydraulic attachments that may have dirty oil in them. Does it have any remotes? Like I said before, our's was a mechanical tranny not hydro so I can't really say for sure. I do know the filter was like $75.

 

[pedalstomper78]

I have a DX 33 which is the chassis size smaller, but only 2 hp less. I've got a 3 speed diff, but 3rd gear is pretty useless unless you're going to be on the road. Even small hills with a load and she starts to sound unhappy. I'm sure that Jinman will be able to verify this, but I think that you're doing just fine.

 

[dave1949]

My TC40 has gears, 12X3. The only time I use high range is on the road in High-3/4, or running down a smooth lane in maybe High-2. I would think using the mid-range out of three, you should have a bit more power than you describe. What rpm are you using? It should be at least 1700-2000 for normal power.

I would look at engine power stuff like the primary and secondary air filters, fuel filter. If you have normal movement and power in your FEL or three-point, I don't think the hydraulics have much to do with what you are describing.

Edit: Oops, my bad. I got the OP mixed up with tcreeley's tractor. Check the fuel and air filters anyways if you haven't recently :laughing:

 

[LarryD]

I've got a TC33D Hydro and it does fine on hills...as long as I don't mash on the "accelerator". Backing off the foot pedal a bit increases the torque applied to the wheels.
I normally run in range II at about 2k RPM's and just don't try to speed up the hills. I'll bet if you increase the RPM's and back off the pedal a little you'll find the engine won't squawk as much.

 

[LabLuvR]

Okay, let's assume the filters are all good, as my loader works just fine. Is the decrease in power going up hills a function of having the hydro transmission? I did not notice the same power loss in my Kubota GST which is about the same horsepower. Thanks!

 

[jinman]

Okay, let's assume the filters are all good, as my loader works just fine. Is the decrease in power going up hills a function of having the hydro transmission? I did not notice the same power loss in my Kubota GST which is about the same horsepower. Thanks!

I'm thinking I detect a user who is talking about his first HST. Am I right, LabLuvR? Your tractor has three transmission ranges. The third range is only a 'road gear' in my opinion. In range II, you should be able to do non-draft loads like mowing and travelling over rough terrain without a big load. When you come to a hill, mentally force yourself to not press on the HST pedal if you need more power. Increase the engine speed and slightly back off the pedal. As an HST owner, you just have to get used to setting your engine's rpm higher and not use the HST pedal like a gas pedal. Most people coming from the gear tractor world just don't want to set the engine rpm up around 2500 and leave it there. That is what you have to do with an HST to get the full advantage of the power. Set the engine rpm up and back off the HST pedal when more power is needed. If the tractor still stalls with minimum HST pedal, then shift into range I. You just have to change your thinking a bit on HST tractors. If you are used to gear tractors, it sure takes some getting used to on a HST model. The learning process is counterintuitive.

 

[LabLuvR]

Yep,my first HST tractor though I have used a Bobcat on limited occasions. Your response makes all the sense in the world, I just wanted to make sure it was my operational error and not a problem with the machine itself.

Btw, what is that black spool knob thingamajig on the bottom of the loader control arm. I read about it in the owners manual and still do no have a clue what it does? LOL!

 

[jinman]

Btw, what is that black spool knob thingamajig on the bottom of the loader control arm. I read about it in the owners manual and still do no have a clue what it does? LOL!

Are you talking about below the joystick? That little knob is pulled and turned 90 degrees and then released. It locks the joystick so that if you are working around a raised loader, somebody cannot inadvertently drop it on you. Pulling and turning 90 degrees releases the lock. Try it! It won't hurt anything and you can see how it locks the joystick's forward/reverse movement while letting the side-to-side work normally.

 

[Ferdinanddeltoro]

I purchased a TC35 back in the late summer. It has the hydro stat transmission. I love it but have to wonder whether it is normal for the tractor to lose, what seems to me like a lot of power going up small hills. If I put it in range 1 it does pretty good, but in range 2 it really seems to lose power very easily on even the smallest of hills. Is this typical? Thanks!

Hi LabLuvR!

Did you ever find a solution?

My TC35A is doing the same thing, but mine is worse. Inclines I used to pull in range 2 hi, it now bogs down, RPMs drop, loses power. Inclines in the driveway and on the road, that it used to do fine on as long as as I didn't have any load.
But it also does it intermittently when in low range, but only under a load.
The RPMs drop, obviously the power drops, sometimes it will barely pull itself, much less the mower.
Most of the time it runs fine in low range. Like I said, it is intermittent.
I have changed ALL of the fluids and filters. Cleaned out the fuel tank. Blown out the fuel lines.
Please help!
Thanks