TC45D Gutless Wonder

[dieselpwr]

Well I hadn't really had much time to work my 45D very hard in the past so I never had much of a chance to see what it would do in tougher situations. I did some heavier loader work today & I ain't impressed. The hydro relief valve pops in ok traction in dirt trying to push into a hill of dirt in low range - turtle. The engine doesn't lug down much (tried with RPMs ranging from 2200 up to wide open) - the wheels just quit moving! What kind of last-in-his-class engineer designed this thing? It can't even get most of the power transfered from the engine to the wheels & its supposed to be a tractor. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif Unless this thing was designed to do little more than be used by yuppies grading their driveways, I'd say its a really useless / poor design. One other useless trait I found: The power steering doesn't seem to function with a full bucket if the tractor is sitting still. Any minor movement & its fine. What's up with that??? That's about as good as the parking brake that won't stay on half the time when you try to use it. (yes, my fine blue machine does that too /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif) I'll have to make a few dealership phone calls Monday to see if this is the way this thing is really supposed to work. If this is the way it is going to be I may as well trade up to a green one. (they looked better in the John Deere vidio anyway /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif) I have to say - the longer I own it & the more I use it - the less I like it. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif Sorry for sounding disgusted but I am. Anybody else notice these same traits or does mine just need more warranty work? I better start saving up a couple $$ to trade up to a different color or to pay for maintenance / repairs after this thing comes out from under warranty. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Troy

 

[kerr]

Dang fella!ha,ha,Im sure it can be corrected at the dealership.No ,them wheels should dig to china or with good traction the engine should lug down and die if all is in order.Have em come an get it and make it rite.Flip out on em a little,the looks on their faces will make ya feel better.I guarantee ya"make damn sure that crazy guys unit is rite before delivery"will be the order of the day.IMOHO.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I agree with the last post to get after the dealer to fix what is wrong, I have a tc 25d and when doing loader work I'll dig a hole with my r4's before it'll quit and the loader will lift a full bucket of #2 crushed stone. good luck.

 

[JATO_RaT]

What range did you have the hydro in?

 

[DVerbarg]

Troy,

Sorry to hear about your problems. I do not have either problem with my TC40D. Power steering works fine with the caveat that if I have a couple thousand pounds of ballast in the FEL and the RPMs are 1500 or less then power steering is sluggish. When digging I always use range I on the left fender and alternate between rabbit and turtle on the joystick. Never have problems with energy being transferred to the wheels, either my wheels spin or if traction is "too good" then the engine whill die...

DaveV


DaveV

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Your rig has a problem. My TC40D pushes and pulls very heavy loads with NO problem. Get your dealer to fix your machine and you will not consider selling/trading your 45 to anyone for anything.....

 

[jinman]

Troy, it sure sounds like a lot of things have added up to make for a bad day. You have my sympathy, but my TC45 has none of the symptoms you describe. Many, many times I have had the differential locked and all tires spinning pushing my bucket. The power steering works so good I don't even ever think about it. One time my parking brake lock was slugish and I found a clod in the mechanism. Absolutely everthing you mentioned works perfect on my tractor. The only thing I wish for is about 10 or 20 more horsepower. Wow! I'd love to have a 65 hp hydro tractor (I think they call them 655Ds).

Give your dealer enough grief that he fixes your tractor or find another dealer is my suggestion. If they can't get it right, go ahead and get another brand. There should never be any brand loyalty to faulty equipment,/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif but my tractor is so perfect with 90hr that I can't imagine one I'd like any better./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

JimI

 

[IndianaPaul]

Troy:

Something definitely isn't right. Have been using used my TC45D to play in and spread about 100 tons of gravel and 80 tons of dirt the last few weeks. Even have the monstrous holes from spinning tires to show for it. I'd have a go at the dealer.

Indiana Paul

 

[jinman]

Troy, I checked my Repair Manual this morning and the solution for lack of power was to replace the high pressure relief valve (5000 psi). There is one for forward and one for reverse, so if you have trouble in one direction, you might try it in reverse. Of course, you lose traction in reverse anyway, so it will be hard to tell. The good thing is that if you have to have a relief valve replaced, it can be done without breaking the tractor down. btw- You said more warranty work. Did your tractor have to be recalled? If it was one of those, I sure know why you are so frustrated, but in that process, I suspect you may have been "bushwhacked" by a mechanic. I just have a hard time believing you are having so much difficulty with your tractor. Of course, a bad dealer can make a good tractor go bad./w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

JimI

 

[Rowski]

You most likely have done this already but check the hydro fluid level. It sound crazy but some times a fix can be a very simple one. I agree with the others there is something not right. My NH2120 has a slight resistance in the steering (no power) when I have a really heavy load in the bucket. But once I move it turns like normal. Which could be good if you are on a sharp rock or stump, trying to turn stationary, might rip/cut the tire.

Derek