Thank you Neil Messick & TBN: Got TC40DAss.

[Slippy]

Many of you know I have been pecking around TBN looking for thoughts and ideas about a CUT. Another poster on this board, who can identify himself if he likes, suggested that I contact Neil Messick at Messick Farm Equipment in my search for a CUT. Neil was fantastic to deal with, and I drove 400 miles to see him and a tractor I was interested in. Neil and I passed numerous emails discussing the tractor and Neil was very responsive and did his best to provide all the details I requested. He is a fine gentlemen and comes from a family of such who run the company.

Neil made the trip worth my time and expense getting their, and although I labored over the purchase and probably tried his patience, he was responsive and we got the deal done. I brought back a TC40DAss w/fel and backhoe. It is used but seems to be in very good condition. It had a few small items that needed attention and Neil pulled it right in the shop and got them taken care of.

Yes, I have local dealers. No, I could not bring my self to spend the extra money for a new one. (See my thread about "Its Amazing what we think we need" in the general buying section)

So, all that has been said about the ss is correct. I lined a non ss and a ss up next to each other, and I can confirm that the ss is longer by a few inches. It does turn on a dime, and for what I need it for, its working great so far.

Being a gear man, it has taken a little getting use to the HST, but it is very nice.

I do have to say, I did labor on whether is was too big, but so far think I made the right decision.

Thanks again to guys like Jim Inman, Pineridge, JT1972, Froggy & LarryRB. And of course, my special thanks to Neil... if you need a NH, I suggest you give him a call. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Slippy, just curious, how are you liking the SS and HST after living with it for a couple weeks?

 

[Slippy]

It is a nice tractor, but is much differenct from what I am used to in a gear tractor. For complete transfer of engine power to drive train, I like the gear tractors better. The HST on the NH in nice and easy to use, but I don't think I'm getting the raw power. I have been doing some trail work, pretty muddy places, and find the tractor boggs down when put a real good load on it. I also have found that the front is front wheel assist. It seems that both front wheels will not turn and only one rear will turn until I step on the rear axle lock. But, the pedals on the floor that allow you to go backward and forward without shifting, levers, etc., is really nice.
Got to say though that the best feature is the supersteer. The tractor can really get through tight spots. You do have to get used to the loader moving on you when you turn the wheel and the tractor is not moving. Have come close to hitting my barn a couple of times, but think I have it under control now.
All in all, it is very nice. I guess I have been used to my 60 hp and heavy Mahindra that really is a no nonsense machine. It gets the thumbs up and is working well for my application. Thanks for asking.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I know it took me a while to get used to getting the power out of HST after using older gear tractors. The whole concept of pushing down on the pedal and losing torque just didn't work for me when I first started playing with the HST tractors.