TC45D Gutless Wonder

Mark_in_NH · Oct 6, 2003

( The chain got so tight it scared me, and I would get off and stand aside 30 feet and watch it grunt )

have blue,
Welcome to the TBN. My question for you is.
If your standing 30' away watching it grunt, Who's operating the tractor ? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

jinman · Oct 6, 2003

Have_blue, I haven't heard from Troy (Dieselpwr) in a long time. He was really unsatisfied with his tractor and I think he traded it in on another one (different color).

Also, in my opinion, if you are afraid of breaking a chain, you shouldn't get off your tractor, you should get a bigger chain. Sure, these tractors don't move fast, but they can flip, roll, and self destruct before you get back into control. I'm speaking from experience about the chain. The first month I had my TC45D "sissy" hydrostatic, I broke a chain wrapped around a brush pile. I had to get a bigger chain and then I had my neighbor on a gear drive tractor on the other end of the chain wrapped around the brush pile. I was pulling him backwards when we decided to split the brush pile into two parts we could handle. What's my point? Nuthin'... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I just think you and I will both enjoy our tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Congratulations and welcome to the forum. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

have_blue · Oct 6, 2003

Hi Jinman,

I enjoy your posts.

Yea, I know all about chains and moving machinery. I've worn out 3 nice chains in 2 years. The links bend closed, the grab hooks spread and deform. My brother-in-law recently gave me an old chain used on oil rigs. They are specially made for super strength and are very expensive. I think this one will last. Thanks to you and Mark for your concern, but my TC29 idled at 900 RPM, and moved at about .7 MPH. Funny it would uproot a pretty big tree without killing the idling engine, but it did so with ease. And believe me, .7 MPH is SLOW. I could climb back on while drinking a cup of coffee and never spill a drop. If I should ever fall, I would have 5 seconds to stand up and back off. How do I know? I timed it. In 5 seconds I was up and already 20 yards away.

Bottom line: I'll never get injured pulling out trees. How do I know? I pulled them all out. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

My new TC35 may be in tomorrow, so I'm going to bed early to make the time go faster. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

farmerpsv · Oct 8, 2003

hey jinman and have blue,
an aside question here. pulling stumps with the tractor? have always heard you can flip that way...enlighten me please, seems like you should be able to do that with a tractor after all.
paul

have_blue · Oct 8, 2003

Farmerpsv,

I can't envision how a tractor could possibly flip. Someone will have to enlighten me too. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Only thing I can guess is hitching the chain too high on the tractor.

rcaretti · Oct 8, 2003

I'm thinking of pulling out some old fence posts by using the FEL and pulling them straight up and out using a chain. Any recommendation on chain size?

I'm guessing it's sort of like buying a tractor, find one that looks like it will do the job, and then buy the next bigger size.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jinman · Oct 8, 2003

Attach your chain to the drawbar and you may spin your tires. but you will not tip over backwards. The drawbar is below the centerline of the tractor. Anything attached above the centerline may cause the front wheels to lift. I've never pulled stumps. I dig them out or push them over with my FEL. The brush pile I pulled was using my drawbar.

jinman · Oct 8, 2003

I've pulled crossties buried 3-1/2' deep and T-posts with a 3/16" chain. A 1/4" will do it for sure.

have_blue · Oct 9, 2003

( I'm thinking of pulling out some old fence posts by using the FEL and pulling them straight up and out using a chain. Any recommendation on chain size? )

rcaretti,

A good type 47 chain in 5/16 is stronger than anything your FEL can do.

What I would do is bump the post high up with the FEL to break it loose a tad, then put a full wrap of chain around the post at ground level. Put the scoop at ground level, hook up the chain, and CURL the scoop to pull it up several inches. Then lift the FEL to finsh pulling it out.

This is assuming deep, well anchored posts. Otherwise, just snatch them out by lifting the FEL straight up.