TN65

[tractorman71]

I agree with the others as far as the price being "new" price. in april 2004, I bought a new TN65 with mech. shuttle,8X8 trans,16.9X30 and 11.2X24 tires folding rollbar,larger fuel tank(23 gal),larger hyd. pump(16.9gal/min)1 rear remote, mid-mount hydraulics for the loader(under floor on the right side)32LA loader with quick attach bucket and a used set of forks and an extra Q/A blank plate for $26300...........and lovin' it.

 

[Maine_Polack]

"The 30's will have to go WAY out before I would be comfortable running chains on them, especially aggressive style chains. I would opt for 28" R-1's if I wanted to run rear chains."

Went and talked and rode. I like the tractor. It is a TN-A, 12x12. No front diff lock. 4wd One thing that comes to mind is that it is pretty large which makes getting around in the woods a little more difficult. I think that I can deal with that, should I decide to purchase.

I brought up the 30" wheel/tire chain conflict with the salesman. He called someone over that was more knowledgeable. They both seemed genuinely baffled. They sell quite a few of these tractors and also winches. They, after much thinking, and stewing, did not offer any advice on the matter. Had they really not run across this issue? I don't know.

I do have comment/question on the 30 tires and using chains. I would really like the larger tires. Don't want to widen rear any more. But...I am committed to using chains. I want everything, and as usual, am too thick and stubborn to leave it alone.

Would it be possible to remount the fenders about 2 inches higher? From what I could see (hoping I didn't miss anything), it seems that it could be done.

Another thought and the one I like best, would be to cut the top (curved section) off the fender. Then fit a new top that would allow enough clearence (4-5 inches?), and also extend it at a right angle so it sits over the wheel as a wide, flat, 12" - 16" "shelf". This would allow it to be used to carry a toolbox, chainsaws, gas etc.

A shame to cut brand new fender, but I would not hesitate, because it would seem to be much more functional.

Do you think this would work? If so, what would you recommend for side clearence - space between tire w/chains and the fender - ?

Once again, I thank you all for the invaluable advice.

[I might add that in their shop they had both a good size Kubota and a TN 70, that went swimming. The 70 was getting a new block. The kubota, after it was pulled out of the water, was left overnight in the woods, and this apparently froze things, causing more damage. We have had many days below freezing and quite a stretch of below zero temps, and they still fell through the ice.]

 

[RickB]

Not to be rude, but your wishes don't change my opinions. If you want to drop $26K on a tractor and carve up the fenders, go ahead. Tractors that are in the woods a lot usually aren't pretty after a while anyhow. We are talking a difference of one inch of ground clearance and drawbar height. Maybe someone else will chime in here.

 

[Maine_Polack]

I don't take offense. I respect your opinion. I suppose that it seemed extreme. (My kids say I really am certifiable.)

And...once again you have put forward another important fact. Only 1 inch difference in clearence between 28" and 30"?

I was basing my comments on info gathered from the dealer today. I asked about this difference and the fellow who seemed to have the answers confidently answered that it would be around 4-6 inches different. I accepted his answer and didn't really think about it. This seemed like too much to give up, however 1", and not having to modify anything, seems to, perhaps, be a much better choice.

Makes me wonder about other info I gathered from them.

The ability to ask questions and verify or learn new facts is why I am here, and this forum is such a great resourse. How else would I get the input and opinions of people who have on hand experience with this machine?

 

[RickB]

My one inch comment was based on a comparison of the loaded radius spec of Firestone R-1 tires sizes 18.4x30 and 18.4x28. TN's don't typically have Firestones, but tire dimensional data will be similar enough between brands for our discussion. I am talking vertical clearance. The horizontal clearance between the tire sidewall and fender will be essentially the same between 28's and 30's at a given tread setting. Firestone Traction Field & Road

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Make sure you are talking 28's and not 24's. There is no way your dealer should think there would be 4 or more inches of clearance from jumping up one size rim. The TN's do have a 24" rim available and you want to make sure you get the 28. Rick is right in that if you think your chains might cause a problem, go with the 28 and you can still space the rims out to give maximum clearance. My friend has not had any problems with his 30's and chains but I also don't know what type chains he is using.

I would not cut up a new tractor, as for raising the fenders, take a good look at how the TN's operator station is built. You would have a lot of work to try and raise the fenders. I like the taller tires but they fit my operation and needs fine. I won't be able to get up to my friends tractor this week otherwise I would get some pics and measurments of his TN with the tires spread as far apart as possible. If you are not planning on buying in the next week or so and still want the 30's I will try and get the info for you. Or just drop to the 28's and don't worry.

 

[Maine_Polack]

Robert, I'm not buying anything till I get comfortable with a choice. I am certainly gravitating towards the TN, but a thick skull like mine takes time to penetrate.

I would really like to know the width of his tractor, w/ 30s tires set up for chains -outside to outside.
A pic or two would be an added bonus. Thanks for the offer!

My concerns with the tires are that the larger tire the easier it would roll over obstacles in the woods. Do you think there is encough diff. between 28 & 30 to warrant this as a consideration?

My second concern is the width, and trying to manuver between trees.

My woods were cut fairly hard 30+ years ago. Now, however, the trees left standing etc. are worthy of harvesting. There is enough to keep me busy as long as I want to keep doing it. To me it is a perfect application to use a tractor to accomplish the harvest.

So, a lot of trees I would be going after are somewhat scattered. Don't want to make "formal" skid roads for one or four trees in a group. Would like to be able, within reason, to approach somewhere near by "bullin' over obstacles with tractor.

So the width and clearance are also a big considerations, when trying to fit between trees. If your friend does anything similar, I would appreciate you asking him if he likes the tires wide. Of course wide is good for stability.

 

[Rowski]

I was having the same run around with chains and tires size when spec'n out my TN70DA.. I don't use the tractor in the woods, but do use it for residental and commercial snow removal. I opted for the 28's. Gave me clearance for chains and lost only an inch of ground clearance. I believe the 30's and 28's have the same width. One thing I did like is that with the 28 tire option is the tires in the front are wider than with the 30 tire option. I like having the wider tire in the front for floatation when using the FEL in soft ground.

I have not gotten chains yet. Our winter here has been open (not much snow) and haven't had to use the tractor. The ice chains I'm looking at run in the $600 to $800 range.

One note about chains. If you are just using them in snow on flat and moderate grades you will be fine. If you have ice or hard packed snow on the flat and moderate grades chain will make it easier and more productive. If you plan on using them on any type of a grade more than moderate chains are more of a safety issue.

 

[AndyMA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My concerns with the tires are that the larger tire the easier it would roll over obstacles in the woods. Do you think there is encough diff. between 28 & 30 to warrant this as a consideration?
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I'm runnign 30's on my TN.. why? Because I laways get the biggest ags available on what ever tractor I purchase. If I wanted to run chains I would drop to the 28's in a minute. There is very little clearance between the fenders and the 30's and it would be very major surgery to get chains to fit with out wide spacing. I think Rowski put 28's on his new TN up in Vermont. Ask him what his ground clearance is. he spent a lot of time evaluating chain using on TN's.

Andy

 

[tractorman71]

One thing I did like is that with the 28 tire option is the tires in the front are wider than with the 30 tire option. I like having the wider tire in the front for floatation when using the FEL in soft ground

my fronts are 11.2X24, (16.9X30rear) are yours wider than these?
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