weight issues

[clarkfarm]

I am torn between a used TC33D and a TC24DA new. One of the issues is weight. I have 2-3 acres to mow with a sprinkler system and septic system. There is also a fair amount of trees and fence to mow along. I also have 8 acres to brushog and a couple to clear. My question, is the TC33 too heavy to mow with? should I worry about the sprinkler heads and septic tank?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Sprinkler heads: No don't worry about them, either tractor can mow them down or snap them right off without any problem. But seriously, if they are the pop up variety and if they are firmly in place and the ground is stable around them then you should not have too much trouble with them for either tractor. If the ground is soft or the head is poking up then they could shift under the weight of either tractor and be damaged.

Septic: if you have clay tiles in your field then I would strongly favor a lighter tractor, if you have plastic pipes and the field is well built, either tractor should be fine. As for driving over the tank itself, again it would depend on the age and construction and depth and soil. The newer tanks (past 15 years) seem to be better/stonger than the older tanks. There was a long thread not too long about about septic. I've not had any problems, but my system is only 10 years old. I wouldn't see any problem with the TC24, I'd be mildly cautious with the TC33, if it was simply mowing across it then I wouldn't worry, but I doubt I'd want to park on top of it.

Soil conditions dictate a lot of the problems.

 

[jwstewar]

One thing may persuade you toward the new 24. I just saw where Spencer posted that NH has too many 24s and are offering 0% for 48 months and 1.9% for 60 months. Don't know if you are financing or not but that could turn into a chunk of change saved vs. conventional financing at 6 - 8 %. With only 2 - 3 acres to mow, I would think the 24 would be just fine and would actually end up in less cutting time because it is smaller and more maneuverable (less trimming with either a push mower or weedeater up next to the house). The 24 would pull a 4' cutter great and depending on what you are cutting could also do a 5'. Yeah the 33 might make clearing the couple acres easier (the 24 will do it, but maybe just a little longer), but once it is done the 24 will keep it cut just fine.