TC55DA Steering Issue - What to do before I buy.

[Osconda]

For a background on this posting please read the posting by NOECLARK titled, "TC 55 Steering".
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/nhown/Number/499426/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/all/vc/1

After reading the long thread from NOECLARK, I'm really concerned about taking delivery of my new TC55DA. It should be arriving from the assembly plant tomorrow. Probably take delivery this Thursday or Friday.

It sure sounds like this problem will also be on my tractor and I don't think I would take delivery of it with the problems NOECLARK has had. The dealer only have a deposit check they've been holding for about 3 weeks now.

I am wondering how I can protect myself in the future if this problem shows up. I do plan on doing a lot of heavy loader work moving rock. My tractor will have industrial tires which won't help the issue either.

Pump capacity is slightly lower on the TC55 vs. the TC48 and I'm wondering if the steering issue has been noticed on the 48 also.

I'm really thankful for this website for all the folks how participate in it. Sharing the good /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and the /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif makes it all good for everyone.

Maybe it was fate that my tractor delivery was delayed a week just so I could have known about this problem beforehand. Should I just start looking at another tractor or take delivery of the TC55 with maybe some protective language on the bill of sale? I am thinking of pointing my dealer to NOECLARK's posting so they can get some idea of why I'm concerned. Opinions? Advice?

In this case, I definetly want to do it right the first time!

 

[noeclark]

Thank you for your interest regarding the TC55DA tractor. I have been in contact with New Holland regarding my steering issues, but have not experienced resolution to the maneuverability to date. I have had to contact the Attorney General’s office in the state that I live, but they are also not making much progress. New Holland will not communicate with them and insist that everything be put in writing, which in essence, delays the whole process. They refuse to admit that there is an issue; however, the dealer has admitted that it appears an engineering problem.sence then has closed sold dealership.
I am not sure what type of implements you are purchasing to use with your new tractor. I am told that if you have a backhoe, the steering problem is masked by the backhoe weight, making the problem unnoticeable. I use my bucket and forks and experience loss of steering capability. When the tractor decides to turn, it almost jumps in the direction the wheels are turned. This is a hazard for anyone around the tractor, including my livestock.
I would recommend that you be very careful in your dealings with Case/New Holland as they appear not wanting to take any responsibility. I first mentioned my concerns in August of 2004, and have not had any real resolution. They have added wheel weights, turned up the steering pressure to the maximum allowed, and added a weight box to the rear for a TN series. This made a difference, perhaps 10%. However, my tractor cannot be used to drive across my lawn due to the weight.
This isn’t my first New Holland. This happens to be the third that I bought; however, this is the first that I noticed a design flaw in. It is unfortunate that New Holland refuses to get to the root of the problem and fix it. They admit that if I had a backhoe on the back, I would not notice this. I use my tractor for rototilling, brush hogging, mowing, splitting wood…. so as you can see, a backhoe would not help in any of these situations.
I wish you the best in whatever choice you make.
NoeClark

 

[Osconda]

NOECLARK,

I will be having a 720 lb. box blade attached almost full-time. But I'm sure, I'll be maxing out the FEL from time to time.

After reading the thread on your issue, there were still a few questions I had.

1.) If the FEL is maxed out, would it matter if you had any rear ballast? If so why? Wouldn't the same amount of weight be on the front end with and without the ballast?

2.) Would there NOT be a steering problem if you first started moving the tractor before turning.

3.) If the answer to question 2 is YES, then is the problem also present when turning and backing up?

I will want the dealer to at least perform some kind of functional test on the steeering before I accept the tractor. I just need to determine what that test would comprise of.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[noeclark]

1.) If the FEL is maxed out, would it matter if you had any rear ballast? If so why? Wouldn't the same amount of weight be on the front end with and without the ballast?
<font color="red"> </font> It does not matter if the FEL is maxed out or if it has as little as 600 pounds. More ballast than the tractor weighs did not correct this. Yes, the same amount of weight would be on the front end with and without the ballast, but they were hoping that it would relieve some pressure. I.E., lighten the footprint of the tires.
2.) Would there NOT be a steering problem if you first started moving the tractor before turning.
<font color="red"> </font> Yes, the problem remains the same. Unless you were able to back up and manuever it at a high rate of speed, you continue to have the surge. At slower rates of speed, you simply cannot turn.

3.) If the answer to question 2 is YES, then is the problem also present when turning and backing up? <font color="red"> </font> Most definitely it is. Anytime there is a load on the FEL, I have experienced this. It is definitely more noticeable in soft dirt, fields, or any kind of not solid terrain. ALthough it can be duplicated on asphalt with enough weight.

Ask your dealer if they have had any complaints on this model or if they have heard of any complaints. Ask him to do a search with New Holland regarding steering concerns. If he comes back and tells you that nothing has been reported, then I would walk away and not buy from him. If he tells you that yes, there has been concerns/issues, then I would work with him because he would seem to be an honest dealer. Tell him that you just want to be reassured because besides from the steering issue, I find this to be a great tractor.

 

[rebelmedic]

I have the TC48 and the few times I`ve had a lot of weight in the bucket I`ve had no problems with the steering. The most weight carried so far was a near full bucket of moist red clay gravel without any difficulty.

 

[froggy]

If I remember correctly, if you will do a search under TC55 and DX55 you will also find a loader/rear weight problem mentioned by NH service technician.

 

[noeclark]

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