Two...welll, three complaints re my TC30

[Rabbit]

I love her but she's got her weaknesses.

My biggest complaint is the flimsy fenders. I mean if they went any thinner on the sheetmetal it would be called tin foil. Any branch swinging back with some force will put a dent in her and heaven forbid an uprooted scrub oak follow the tire around!

Second is the 2" or so brass valve stems on the rear tires. Nice effort placing them on the inside for protection but that 2" poking out is a magnet whenever you back up over some downed material. Let one piece of brush hit that flag pole called a valvestem and you're down. (When you find a replacement stem look for a shorter one.)

And finally, NH could have done just a little better at protecting some of the sensitive items on the underside. There are simply too many exposed lines and wires ready to catch and pull loose.

In short, you're fine in the field but be careful in the woods.

 

[Soundguy]

Depending on the position of the bolts, if a loop style rim.. the old fords had a vavlve stemp protector.. which was not much mor ethan a 3/4" flat bent around the stem.. might fit the new jobs too??

As for the critical exposed wires and components underneath.. there's been many posts about that.. I think that is NH's way of generating service calls...

Soundguy

 

[JASTN70D]

I think the truth of the matter is they have given very little thought of using tractors in the woods. I have owned several and of different Manufactures and they have all shown there weak points very fast in the woods. Of course even bigger equipment does the same. The manufactures are still making Plow tractors when in fact many people use them to make the plow fields also.

Maybe they will start to evolve a new line to be more effective in the woods.! Theres an idea a Cut for the woods and the field. OK who wants to design it? I guess it may look a little like henros with the frops on it. It would need some Tire protectors One heck of a skid plate extreme clearance and...?????

 

[PineRidge]

A cross between a Hummer and a TN-75D might work.

 

[RickB]

Part of your complaints are due to the fact that TC30's are Economy models which no doubt was a factor in your choice of this model. Folks bark about the fiberglass fenders and hoods on other TC's, but they are much stronger than most steel counterparts of recent vintage. For double the money or more, you could have bought a skidloader which has a full bellypan, no exposed wiring and very few hydraulic tubes. The TC30 is a compact tractor, not a skidder.

 

[Rip]

If you look on forestry forums you will see that anyone using any size or brand of farm-type tractor builds a full skid plate to protect the various underside componants. They also weld a piece of pipe stub or similar for valve stem protectors.

Your complaints regarding the TC30 would apply to most any brand and size except those that have been modified specifically for forestry use which often include heavier or reinforced fenders & hoods plus full operator cages.

 

[henryjacobjosh]

Hi,

I must agree with the flimsy fenders and hood issue. I thought that they were manufactured with a light guage metal. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Don't get me wrong, I love the tractors performance so far and I'am somewhat partial to the older style look of the TC30. In fact, the apperance is one of the deciding factors which I used when I purchased the tractor. Not just price. I also didn't need all the fancy "bells & whistles".
As far as the other complaints that you have, I do not see an issue for me because I did not purchase the tractor for working in the woods.
My biggest complaint would have to be the front bracket (bumper) for the 7308 FEL. I think that the way it is bent so far forward that it really cuts back on the reach I have with the FEL when loading high. I understand the hood opens forward and the clearance is needed to open the hood, but I think NH could have done something different. I know on the older models they had the front bracket swing out of the way when servicing the tractor with the hood up.
Sorry to ramble on but I just got caught up in the moment. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[henryjacobjosh]

Hi,

I must first say that I have seen alot of your replies and think you are a big asset to this board.
I totally agree with the belly of the tractors and their lines. These tractors weren't designed for heavy industrial or construction work.
I have to comment on the flimsy metal fenders and hood issue though. I agree that the fiberglass is a strong counterpart to the steel but I still think even if the TC30 is considered an "Economy" tractor, the steel skin for the tractor could have been a heavier guage steel. I had an older model 1210 before my TC30 and you could feel the hood when u lifted it and the kids could have jumped up and down on the fenders and it wouldn't have done any damage.
In my opinion, for the amount of steel skin on the tractor it would not have been that much more to increase the guage even if it would have raised the price a few dollars.
Just my $.02
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[RodgerF]

Rabbit,

Which type of tires do you have? Mine has the R4's and the valvestems are short with a stem protector welded around it.

I agree with the thinner metal. I also have a '78 Kubota and the sheet metal is thicker. I think this is a trend in general though, my '66 Mustang has much thicker sheet metal than my '97 Grand Marquis.

Rodger

 

[Rabbit]

I have the Industrial tires. No protectors on mine although I will investigate getting some. I have to tell you that it is no fun trying to inflate that rear tire with a marginal compressor <grin>.

Just to let everyone know. I really love my TC30 and I'm not disrespecting her when I say these things. She just needs a little support on some items. I'm looking at getting some of the nicer trailer fenders found at places like Northern Tools and cutting them longitudinally and welding them onto the existing fenders to add strength and pretty her up. OR does anyone here think that would make her look like a two dollar girl of the evening? <grin>

As for the exposed wires I guess I'll tape and wrap; tape and wrap.

Rabbit