TN55 vs. TC40D/TC45D

DanValko · Aug 20, 2001

I have 14 acres which 10 of it is covered in small trees (1 to 4in) cedars and heavy brush. I need to clear the small trees and brush from under the larger pecan trees. I made my mind up on the TC40D fwd /fel with ag and a 5ft. BH 285 (medium duty)
Then the salesman said for about the same price I could get
a TN55 w/fel 2wd.
55 hp / 42 pto
2000 lbs heavier
Industrial engine (9000 hr life)

While the TN doesnt have the HST or a nice comfy chair , It
sounds like it will do more damage to my brush...which is what
I need.
I also have some dirt work to do...after all that has been
done ...its just mowing time. I might need a dozer do do some
of the dirt work.
any opinions?

DVerbarg · Aug 20, 2001

Dan, Your last comment "after all that has been done ...its just mowing time. I might need a dozer do do some of the dirt work" would capture the essence of my thoughts. If you have a one time heavy task you might be better off renting a dozer or farming the task out to an operator rather then altering your long-term purchase for just one use.

Your decision is a tough one, I went with the TC40D because is was "lawnmower like" enough that my wife is willing to use it. Some of the other units seemed too "big and bulky" for her to be comfortable.

If I wanted to do more hay work or other typical farm uses I would tend to go with the TN, but if it is just for "estate" type of work then I would go with the TC.

DaveV

mikim · Aug 20, 2001

I made the decision to go with a TC45 vs. a TN55 because of my need to get between a lot of trees and because of where the fuel tank is at on the 55 -- looks to be in harms way when driving through a bunch of heavy brush like I do. From my experiences so far - I think I made the right call for me.
mike

DanValko · Aug 20, 2001

Dave,

For the most part...after the clearing...I should just have
estate type work.
(I like the sound of estate type work...ha ha ha)
I farmed out my driveway, house pad and pond work to a guy with a Cat 955 and a grader.
I have made several trails through the woods with a rented L3010 and TC33D. The kubota had a BH 305 series (3in) cutter
which was needed to cut down the heavy brush and sapling...
I got my money out of the rentals but wouldnt want to do
that heavy work on my tractor day in day out.

I was thinking of renting a dozer (@$400 a day) to do this work...looks like that is the better way to go.
Thanks

jinman · Aug 20, 2001

Dan, I zeroed in on the fact that the TN55 is 2wd. I'd say that's no bargain. Any, any, any tractor with a loader needs to be 4wd. I'd take the TC40D or TC45D with the 4wd and HST any day over the TN55 2wd. Now, if you are willing to pay for 4wd and maybe an upgrade to TN65, I'd suddenly change my choice. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

JimI

Anonymous Poster · Aug 20, 2001

Can't imagine how people farmed with 2wd tractors and loaders before the invention of 4wd. with the proper knowledge of use a 2wd drive will work fine and be heavier because of the frame size tractor that it is

Fullthrottle · Aug 20, 2001

I talked with dozens of tractor owners before I purchase my 4WD TC45 and everyone with a 2WD/loader said they would never buy another without 4WD. Rear end gets mighty light with a load and ballast hinders maneuverability.

Robert_in_NY · Aug 20, 2001

Case and NH both but the fuel tanks there on the CX and TN series. I have taken my tractor thru stuff that would make you run home and the most damage I have done is bent the fender and knocked off the bucket gauge. The tank is made of a heavy material that will take some abuse. I have seen a CX 90 that was dropped off a truck and it bent the rear wheels and messed up the rest of the tractor pretty good too but the tank was just fine. I hear a lot of people say they don't like where the tank is but I have never heard of anyone have any problems with it there. Just a couple pennys for the jar, not meant to offend anyone.

Robert Turk Jr.
Whitetail Splendor Deer Farms
Silver Creek, NY

bgott · Aug 20, 2001

The only thing that bothers me about the fuel tank on my TN65 is the fuel line. It looks like it wouldn't be too hard to knock off with a branch. It doesn't look like it would be too hard to armor plate it, though.

jinman · Aug 21, 2001

Having owned a 6000 lb tractor with a loader and 2wd, I stick by my previous opinion. Just because 2wd was all they had in the past doesn't mean that you should not upgrade to 4wd. I'll go on record as saying that for any given tractor with a loader, 4wd will work far better than 2wd. Remember, we are talking about a TC40D/45D instead of a TN55.

JimI