Time To Modernize From 2001 TC40D?

crackpot · Sep 30, 2008

I can't help but notice the relative scarcity of threads about older machines like mine. Has NH improved their product that much, or does the enthusiasm of owning a new tractor make us much more likely to want to talk about it {understandable}? My 2001 has 325 hours, no FEL {no need for one}, and looks decent. Other than the usual occasional malfunction {wires pulled loose by use in woods} it performs like it did seven years ago. Wrong forum to ask, but what would a new model set me back {live in central SC}. Are tractor dealers as bad as car dealers when it comes to trade-in? Make more selling your old tractor than they do selling you a new one. For a change, I have enough cash on hand to buy new outright and sell old to individual. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Doc_Bob · Sep 30, 2008

If it meets your needs, stick with it.
Bob

PS Better the devil you know.........

Flatheadyoungin · Sep 30, 2008

with those hours and if it meets your needs, why buy new?

shoot, your's is just broke in........for guys like me, that lived off of other's used stuff, we are glad you buy new and "upgrade" but if i were you, i hang on to it........as soon as you pull off the lot a new one drops in value.......

save your money, especially right now!

jinman · Sep 30, 2008

I have a 2001 TC45D with nearly 1500 hours. I love it and every scratch on it. I would love to have a bigger tractor, sometimes, or a smaller tractor with a finish mower, but I NEVER think of trading off my tried-and-true friend. I bought the tractor I need most and there is nothing I've seen on similar newer models to make me want to trade. I vote for keeping your current tractor and spend that money on something else you need. Heck, are you s-u-r-e you don't need a loader or a backhoe for that tractor?

BTW: New tractor without loader is about $20k-$21k.

radman1 · Sep 30, 2008

The biggest change in CUTs in the past several years is the availability of cabs and a few electronic gizmos. The electronics have been more gee whiz then great inovations IMHO. Case-ih and NH haven't changed much in basic design.

rambler · Sep 30, 2008

I bought my 1720 with 400 hours and a loader on it a 4-5 years ago. It has 1400 on it now. Figure it better be good to 5000 hours - probably another 10-15 years anyhow.

My main farming tractors have 4500, 5400, and around 10,000 hours on them. I'll put 200-300 hours on most of them a year.

Your machine isn't even broken in yet! Tractors aren't like cars - they hold up. Not at all old until they turn over 3000 hours. At 5000 hours, you are maybe looking at a car with 100-125,000 miles - older, but still servicable and should have some life in it.

--->Paul

SouthernX · Sep 30, 2008

rambler said:
Your machine isn't even broken in yet! Tractors aren't like cars - they hold up. Not at all old until they turn over 3000 hours. At 5000 hours, you are maybe looking at a car with 100-125,000 miles - older, but still servicable and should have some life in it.

--->Paul

Thanks for putting things in perspective. I always wondered how tractor hours compare to car miles.

crackpot · Oct 1, 2008

Thanks for reinforcing my original beliefs, I plan to keep my powder {money} dry and enjoy what I have. Now that I think back, the only trouble I have encountered was during the first year or so; sticking cold hydro. pedal and cold-running engine. Which I repaired myself, thanks to the folks on this board. Dealer SAID he was unaware of either problem and I should not believe what I read on the internet. I guess the information age puts a kink in some people's disreputable practices. I would LOVE to have a FEL Jinman,but I have a small tree farm consisting of planted Longleaf pine which entails mowing, spraying and fertilizing in close quarters. I would not have a single tree that was not scarred by a protuding bucket. We produce a niche crop here in the sandhills; pine needles {longleaf only} for an attractive long-lasting landscape mulch. Only thing is they require constant competition control in order to receive top-dollar from the raker-baler crews. Clean straw is in high demand, but removing the blanket of fallen needles robs the soil of nutrients, hence the fertilization requirement. Talk about a long-winded response! Maybe I should get into politics. Nope; even I do not need money that bad.

jwstewar · Oct 1, 2008

crackpot said:
....... I would LOVE to have a FEL Jinman,.....

You know they come off don't you? Pull a couple of pins and disconnect the hydraulic lines and you go from being a full size truck to a small sleek sports car.

Only takes a couple of minutes and is pretty easy.

jinman · Oct 1, 2008

jwstewar said:
You know they come off don't you? Pull a couple of pins and disconnect the hydraulic lines and you go from being a full size truck to a small sleek sports car. Only takes a couple of minutes and is pretty easy.

Took the words right out of my mouth Jim.

Crackpot, if I were you, I'd go to my dealer and ask him for a demonstration of removing and installing a FEL on a tractor similar to yours. If he wants a sale, he'll be happy to do it because it will take less than 10 minutes to remove and reinstall. Loader removal is a "piece of cake." If you don't at least see it demonstrated, you are cheating yourself out of a possible very useful tool.

I can't speak for the 3rd party FELs like Bush Hog, but the NH OEM 16LA loader is a pleasure. They may be getting rare though, because the new loaders are quite different. Who knows, maybe the new loaders will also fit your older tractor. I don't see why they wouldn't.