TN vs TL

[jimg]

There is a fair amt of feature/spec overlap between the high end TN series and low end TL series. In most features/specs the TL80 looks like a TN85 and the TL90 looks like a TN95. The only significant diffs I could find were weight, 3pt lift capacityand transmission choices but everything else was identical or pretty close. I've no idea what prices are for the the TL models but I'd guess theyre going to be some %age more than TN models. Is that %age worth so little difference? I must be missing something and would appreciate your input on why you'd pick a TL80 over a TN85 or TL90 over a TN95.

In the attachments forum theres a thread which started out as 'why are the blades on my brush mower banging into each other when I engage the PTO it must be the mowers fault' and has progressed to 'its your tractor not the mower'. If Im follwing that discussion correctly the problem centers around either the idle speed (too high) or the way in which the clutch engages (unmodulated and is too abrupt). Both the TN and TL can be gotten w/ other than mechaincal PTO clutch engagement. The TN is a servo-assist (not sure what that is exactly) and the TL is elctro-hydraulic. Is it correct to assume that in both cases clutch engagement will be smooth in the sense that it simulates mechanical clutch feathering? In other words it doesn't load shock the implement?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The biggest difference is size. The TL is a tad bigger then a TN and as a result can do more work then the like hp TN. It all comes down to what you want to do. Around here the small vegetable farms run TL's while everyone else uses a TN.

So it depends on what you want to do with your tractor and if you need the extra size and weight of the TL. New Holland has been great in the fact they have a tractor to fit almost every operation you can think of.

 

[jimg]

From the spec sheet the physical dimensions aren't significantly different. So, as I understand it theres no advantage there. The weight is though but to spend x% more just for weight alone seems unwise as weights can be added. Well, maybe its cheaper to buy a heavier tractor than add weight...I dont know.

 

[RickB]

The TL is a flat deck tractor. The seat is higher, cab or platform is unobstructed and larger. Visibility is much better, cab is roomier. TL deluxe has better hydraulic capabilities than any TN. 4 cylinder naturally aspirated engine may have more low end grunt than a turboed three. I expect the TL to have a stronger 3pt spec. 52LC loader that the TL can accomodate has more lift than the 32LC which fits both. If I were buying a 70-80 engine HP tractor and was going to spend LONG days in it, the TL would be an easy choice. Power Shuttle option is a must have on either series IMHO, TL also has a HI-LO on Deluxe models.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

There is a lot of difference in size between the two. The specs don't make it sound like much but here is a pic to help you compare.

The TL-100A is on the left, TN65 is center and Ford 1920 is to the right. There is a lot more to the TL then specs say and you notice the difference on a NH 575 baler. Rick explained most of the noticable differences and unless you have a chance to run both a TL and a TN it is hard to understand the differences.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Here is more of a head on shot

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Last one is hooked to my baler. You can see that the cab is kind of on the short side. It isn't a problem as there is more then enough head room but for some reason it bothered me.

 

[kensfarm]

Hey.. one square bale done.. 249 to go to fill that wagon! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

TL looks nice.. what model NH bailer are you running?

 

[jimg]

Cool! Thanx a million guys for the pics and responses!!!!! This is exactly what I needed to understand/know. It's really difficult to get the whole picture from a marketing blurb.

BTW Robert how many acres of hay do cut at once? I see you have a large acreage but how much of that is hay fields and how many cuttings do you make/season? Is the TL in the pics yours or are you giving it a test drive? Your bio only lists a TN65.

Thanx again for your help!!!

 

[jimg]

Oh, one more question from my original posting about the PTO clutch. What's a 'servo-assist (a TN feature)'? How smoothly do the nonmechanical clutches (servo-assist and electro-hyd) on these tractors engage? I have no experience with such things having only used mechanical clutches that the operator can feather as needed.

OK, so I have two questions instead...where are the TNs/TLs built? IIRC the TNs are England or Italy?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

That was a fun day, I don't know if you can see it but there is mud covering almost all of the tires. I had to unhook the wagon a couple times to get the baler unstuck even with the TL. That field was a friend of mine and his JD baler broke down so I was called in to help. I don't remember how many wagons we did that day but it was fun dodging the mud holes. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I asked my dealer if I can try the TL out just to see how much easier it would handle my baler. They knew up front I wasn't going to buy right then but we have a good relationship so I got to put some hours on it (had to keep it under 10). Took it on Saturday morning and returned it Tuesday when I had some time.

The TL is a great tractor but as I said I didn't feel comfortable in the cab. Kept feeling like I was going to hit my head even though I never did. Just one of those feelings.

I bought a Ford 7710-2 2 months ago to take over most of the duties the TN use to own. Now the TN still runs my baler but only until I set the 7710 up to run it.

This year I baled up 180 acres. Only one cutting except for one field that we needed for our own animals. I cut it before July and still only got 13 bales a acre on second cutting at the end of August. There has been no rain at all around here when we needed it so there is no second cutting.

As for an average year I will get two cuttings. If it is an exceptional year I might get three on some of my ground. Most of my fields are old that I have bought and am in the process of turning them over and putting them in a good fertilization schedule.

As for the pto, Rick would be better to answer your questions as to what difference there is if any but both the TN and the TL can feather the pto on if you want to. It isn't like my 1920 where when you engage the pto it lets you know immediately. One nice thing I like about my 7710 is that it has a pto brake so when you turn the pto off it slows it down immediately and stops it. Only thing I dislike is that it won't allow you to turn the pto shaft when hooking up pto equipment that is hard to turn by hand.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Ken, I forgot to mention, I run a 575 New Holland baler and it really works my TN.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

<font color="blue"> One nice thing I like about my 7710 is that it has a pto brake so when you turn the pto off it slows it down immediately and stops it. Only thing I dislike is that it won't allow you to turn the pto shaft when hooking up pto equipment that is hard to turn by hand.
</font>

I traded a 6610 for a TN75. I noticed that the PTO kept turning on the TN after disengaging. That didn't happen with the 6610. I wasn't aware that the 10 series had a PTO brake, but that explains why the difference. Since the 10 series tractors are considered the base striped models, I wonder why they have PTO brakes and the TN's do not. That seems a bit backwards to me. Wouldn't a PTO brake be considered an upgrade?

 

[RickB]

A true 10 series, not a Mexican 10S was not an economy spec tractor, but the top of the spectrum for that HP range in a Ford tractor, having a multiple wet disc hydraulically actuated PTO clutch. Actually, the Mexican-built 10S series also enjoy that feature. TN series tractors are all Fiat-based tractors with single, dry disc PTO clutches. They are either manually engaged via a long lever or servo engaged via a small slave cylinder activated by a manually operated control valve and short handle. Yes, the Ford faithful, and most clear thinking tractorheads agree this is a step backwards. TL Standard tractors are available with a similar single dry PTO disc that is manually engaged. Early TL and later TL Deluxe tractors have a wet, multiple disc hydraulically actuated PTO clutch. Dry Disc PTO clutches have no brake. TL hydraulic PTO's have a brake that is active only with the tractor running, I THINK.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Rick summed it up quite well, the 10 series tractors were the top of the line when they were released. If you want to have some fun, check ebay or www.wengers.com and order some of the old 10 series literature. I enjoy reading the literature from the 80's as it is fun to see how the tractor was being touted by Ford.

I will say this though, I wish Ford/NH still made the 7710-2 and I am sure many dealers still wish that. Make a few upgrades along the way (like a more powerful AC unit) but it would still sell quite well (at least in my mind).