TV140?
- Thread starter RFB
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Robert_in_NY
Super Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2001
- Messages
- 8,552
- Location
- Silver Creek, NY
- Tractor
- Case-IH Farmall 45A, Kubota M8540 Narrow, New Holland TN 65, Bobcat 331, Ford 1920, 1952 John Deere M, Allis Chalmers B, Bombardier Traxter XT, Massey Harris 81RC and a John Deere 3300 combine, Cub Cadet GT1554
I don't have any first hand experience with running them but I have been around them quite a bit. They have a love/hate following. Some users love them, some hate them. For the most part, the biggest knock against them is that they should have more power. But they are a great haying/dairy tractor. The gas company has a few of them up here also they use just to cut brush around the gas wells as they have great visibilty driving "backwards".
Is there something in particular you want to know about them?
Is there something in particular you want to know about them?
The concept of an articulating cab tractor with 4wd is interesting to me. I saw my first one on a Pronovost (Puma snowblower) video, and it looked very manueverable. 105hp does not seem underpowered; what are the other "hate" issues?
Robert_in_NY
Super Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2001
- Messages
- 8,552
- Location
- Silver Creek, NY
- Tractor
- Case-IH Farmall 45A, Kubota M8540 Narrow, New Holland TN 65, Bobcat 331, Ford 1920, 1952 John Deere M, Allis Chalmers B, Bombardier Traxter XT, Massey Harris 81RC and a John Deere 3300 combine, Cub Cadet GT1554
Most of the guys who use them really like the concept but wish it was a 200+hp tractor so it was more useful on farms. Another issue was that it is a great chore tractor but any multipurpose tool is not great at any one thing. The TV is the same as any other do all gadget. As a loader it is good (not as nice as a deadicated loader) but when you have the loader on you lose the "back" of the tractor for other work unless you remove the loader. It doesn't really have the horses to make great use of the front and rear 3pt setup like the large frame reverse drive Valtra and Fendt's. Of course you have to order the front 3pt and pto as it doesn't come standard.
But overall the biggest complaint is they wish it was a large frame tractor instead of the mid size frame.
I did look at buying one last a couple years ago but it cost way too much for the size tractor it is. If you could only buy one tractor for a dairy/hay outfit then this is the tractor. But by the time you add in all the options to make use of the TV you could almost buy two normal tractors of the same hp. I still would like to have one some day but it will have to come from the used market as I can not justify the cost of the new unit.
But overall the biggest complaint is they wish it was a large frame tractor instead of the mid size frame.
I did look at buying one last a couple years ago but it cost way too much for the size tractor it is. If you could only buy one tractor for a dairy/hay outfit then this is the tractor. But by the time you add in all the options to make use of the TV you could almost buy two normal tractors of the same hp. I still would like to have one some day but it will have to come from the used market as I can not justify the cost of the new unit.
Robbie Hegwood
Platinum Member
Hey RFB
I recently attended a demo for a TV-145 running a loftness carbide cutter extreme. I was very impressed with the tractor. It is a odd setup to get accustomed to. But after about 30 min. I could make it do what I wanted. At first I told them forget it because of its size but after watching and running it that concern was null and void.
The attachment we were running weighted 5000lbs. and it handled it well. I not sure it any counter weights were involved or not. Visibility was the best I ever seen. The tractor had fairly wide forestry tires on it and you could see every corner great.
Being the head was pto driven it took alot to bog it down and recovered quickly. I think a tad more H.P. would be better but the 105 is good. This is probably the most extreme application for the tractor but I was very impressed. If had a forestry package on it and you'd be hard pressed to go up and touch any part of the actual tractor, it was covered with that many guards. It also had 1" thick skid plates but with 3' of ground clearence who would need them.
As far as farm use I couldn't comment for that not my area. The only two thing against it for me were the price tag, $180,000 for the complete mulching package. But also the weight, at 19,000lbs i would need a bigger truck and trailer. The alternative for me is cheaper and lighter.
Just me .02 cents worth, maybe .03cents. Robbie
I recently attended a demo for a TV-145 running a loftness carbide cutter extreme. I was very impressed with the tractor. It is a odd setup to get accustomed to. But after about 30 min. I could make it do what I wanted. At first I told them forget it because of its size but after watching and running it that concern was null and void.
The attachment we were running weighted 5000lbs. and it handled it well. I not sure it any counter weights were involved or not. Visibility was the best I ever seen. The tractor had fairly wide forestry tires on it and you could see every corner great.
Being the head was pto driven it took alot to bog it down and recovered quickly. I think a tad more H.P. would be better but the 105 is good. This is probably the most extreme application for the tractor but I was very impressed. If had a forestry package on it and you'd be hard pressed to go up and touch any part of the actual tractor, it was covered with that many guards. It also had 1" thick skid plates but with 3' of ground clearence who would need them.
As far as farm use I couldn't comment for that not my area. The only two thing against it for me were the price tag, $180,000 for the complete mulching package. But also the weight, at 19,000lbs i would need a bigger truck and trailer. The alternative for me is cheaper and lighter.
Just me .02 cents worth, maybe .03cents. Robbie
whitetiger
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2004
- Messages
- 371
- Location
- Kansas City, Kansas
- Tractor
- BX2370 Kubota, Ford 1100, MF135
The TV series is the most versatile tractor on the market for farm use. We just sold 7 new ones in an 8 day period. They by far the best swathing, baler and loader tractor you can get. The HP is perfect for the aplacation as it has enough to push an 18' sickle head and pull a 18' hydroswing swather at the same time, swathing 36' in one pass. They also have the right HP to push a disc head cutting 15' tall feed sorgum. With the high ground clearance and wide wheel spacing it can straddle 2 18' windrows raked together for baleing. They will do twice the loader work in an hour as a regular tractor with a loader. You can choose 3pt, PTO and remotes on either end or on both ends. A few poeple want one with more HP but that would result in a lot higher price and larger frame tractor which would limit it's uses. Price wise they are not much more than a similar equiped FWA tractor the same HP. Severial of our customers have 2 TV's and put over 1,000 hours a year on them. Out of the 100 plus Bi Directionals we have sold only 2 people have traded for anything but a Bi Di and both later on came back and bought new ones. Kind of says something about the package doesn't it.
The TV is a hydrostate ground drive so it is not very efficient for pulling large tillage equipment, but for everything else it ROCKS!!!!
They are great for row crop cultivating as you are looking forward and right down at your rows.
I could go on for pages.......................
The TV is a hydrostate ground drive so it is not very efficient for pulling large tillage equipment, but for everything else it ROCKS!!!!
They are great for row crop cultivating as you are looking forward and right down at your rows.
I could go on for pages.......................
whitetiger
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2004
- Messages
- 371
- Location
- Kansas City, Kansas
- Tractor
- BX2370 Kubota, Ford 1100, MF135
RFB said:
The TV145 replaced the TV140 a few years ago. It is indeed an articulating tractor.