Working on TC34, TC35, TC40 tractors?

[Fields_mj]

I'm looking to replace an old Ford 1710 and I'm considering a TC34, 35, or 40. I'm curious if there are known issues with any of these models, and how difficult they are to troubleshoot and work on. I'm very good at troubleshooting and working on things, but I'm limited in my access to diagnostic equipment at home, and I pretty much have to work on my vehicles/equipment in the driveway. Not the best place to have to tare down an engine. Anyway, before I make the investment, I want to make sure I'm not jumping into a world of headaches. My 1710 was bought used, lived outside it's entire life, and at over 3600 hrs it's never failed to start with the exception of an easily accessible plugged fuel filter and the subsequent air purge after replacing said filter.

 

[mjonesnh]

Currently own a TC34DA purchased new in 2007, 600 hours on meter. In shop 1 time 2 weeks after purchase for minor warranty glitch. Only problem I have had was the steering tilt cylinder had to be replaced last year. Common problem on New Holland compacts. Other than that 1 repair, just normal maintenance items. Cannot comment on the other models but my New Holland has done everything I have asked of it without complaint

 

[Sportsman762]

If I recall the one issue was that you had to fill the engine oil slow.

Heads up to TC26DA Owners!

The TC26 DA is getting old enough now that there might be some owners out there who are not original owners and not on the mailing list from CNH, so I thought I'd put this up as a warning: There is a service bulletin out on oil: When you add oil, or change oil in the TC26DA (don't know about...

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Rick B worked at a NH dealer and posted about it.

New to NH, Oil change advice

I have recently acquired a NH TC29DA and need to change the oil. In researching how on here one thread implied I needed to do it slowly. Does anybody recall that thread? For the life of me I can稚 see why, nor can I find reference to the thread. What would be the danger? You can only pour...

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Flooding the valve cover with engine oil can cause some of the oil to enter the intake manifold via the crankcase vent system. This can cause the engine to hydro lock and potentially bend a connecting rod. This can and has happened.

Its not a major issue, but one you need to be aware of if you buy one.

 

[airbiscuit]

I have a T2310 12x12 shuttle. It has been trouble free. Great ergonomics. I know the mechanics at the Case/IH dealership liked those Shibaura New Hollands better than the TYM versions.

 

[Seven Gables]

I’ve got a 2004 CIH dx35 which is a twin to the NH tc35D made from 2000-2003 . In 2004 NH changed to tc35da model. According to tractor data the DA models were few hundred lbs lighter . CIH dx35 were identical to tc35D but made tiil
2006.
It appears the oil thru breather issues were all confined to the later A models.
I’ve only owned mine couple years , changed out the glow plugs, 2 of 3 were bad . Not to bad to get to .
Little bit I’ve used it , like it a lot very easy to drive, comfortable to operate, great ergonomics. Very nice operating and stout loader for 35 hp tractor.
Mine has 680hrs , engine nice and quiet.

 

[Fields_mj]

I ended up stumbling across a used one owner 2008 TC40DA with a 240DL loader, 1,010 hrs, and a cab with heat and AC for 16k plus anothergrand for transport. It's a little bigger than I was planning, and it's about 4k more than I was hoping to spend, but for the hours and cab with heat and AC, I couldn't pass it up. Everything else I could find in the 32-40 hp range was going to be 14k-16k with no cab and more hours (some a lot more hours).

 

[airbiscuit]

That is a bargain!

 

[TCowner]

I had a TC40D, and later a TC40DA, and loved both. I traded a John Deere 4400 compact for the New Holland.

They both had the SuperSteer front axle which is great for tight turning but also has a few "quirks". It also had Sensitrack which is an on demand 4 wheel drive system. If you got the SuperSteer option then you got the 17LA loader which was longer to clear the SuperSteer axle when it turned but because the loader is longer it reduced the lifting capacity of the loader. I also liked the sloping hood which provided great visibility to the front of the tractor.

These tractors had the two speed hydro transmission with a high-low shift in each range, essentially giving you 4 ranges. I think it was the best hydro on the market at the time and maybe would compare nicely with any built today.

One of the great features of the Shibaura built 4 cylinder TCD and DA tractors was how quiet they were. I know engine noise may not be high on the criteria when tractor shopping but I think all today's tractors are too loud. Just my opinion of course. I never understood why New Holland dissolved their relationship with Shibaura.

I don't know about parts availability today on these tractors but if I could find a nice lower hour TC40D/45D I would tempted to bring one back into the arsenal. I think they were that good.

 

[Fields_mj]

I'm currently waiting for the transport company to pick it up down in Arkansas and haul it up here. I normally wouldn't spend this much on something so far away without putting eyes on it, but the dealership has an A+++ rating with the BBB and has been around for over 50 years. They took some video of it for me, and they sold the machine to the PO when it was new, so I'm rolling the dice on it. At this price point, I can't imagine going wrong on it.

I'm not sure why the dealership installed a 240 loader on it, but I'm guessing that means it doesn't have super steer. Probably best for me. It also had a backhoe, but the dealership sold that separately which is better for me since I don't have much use for one and have nowhere to store it. I'm not sure if that means that the machine has a suffrage installed or not, but that would be nice.

It sounds like the only thing I should need to do is add some ballast to the tires, modify my tire chains to fit the larger tires, and make some skid plates to protect the belly. I'm looking forward to the machine arriving, but based on the weather forecast it's going spend an extended amount of time in the driveway waiting for the ground to either freeze again or dry out...

 

[Seven Gables]

You sure that’s a 240 and not 250 loader? I think the 240 was designed for tc 31 and 34 . Smaller loader with less lift capacity

 

[spitter]

I also bought my TC 45d sight unseen from a dealer halfway across the country couldn't be happier with the purchase. He gave me 2 video's and around 50 stills. The only problem was that the 3 pt developed a hiccup which I had to do the seals on the 3 pt lift cylinder which I did fairly easily.

Parts availably has not been a problem except for the price, which seems to be on par with every other original manufacture parts. I order everything through Messick's which usually gets delivered in 1 or 2 days. There is a great NH, Ford tractor boneyard by them it's called Long Lane Tractor where the owners are a guru on these tractors and has been very helpful in finding original equipment parts.

From what I heard is that NH was forcing Shibaura to cut their price of the tractors which could only kill the excellent build quality which you can see in the change from D models to DA models. The D models had thick fiberglass "sheet metal" and the DA models went to plastic which had problems with cracking on the fender mounting points where they left out rubber gromets that the D models had. Also, the grab handles on the D models where steel and the DAs are plastic.

There were some improvements on the DAs over the Ds, a mid pto could be had on a 45 and something with the battery but I don't recall also the hood vent was deleted. Plus, the ugly ass head lights.

I see a lot of dealers marking As and Ds as DAs either out of stupidity or to try to get more money out of it. Turkey foot has a D marked as a DA and Kan equip has an A their selling as a DA. Buyer Beware.

 

[Fields_mj]

You sure that’s a 240 and not 250 loader? I think the 240 was designed for tc 31 and 34 . Smaller loader with less lift capacity

You're right, it's a 250. My memory never has been what it used to be....

My machine is the newer TC40DA (2008). I'd rather have the older version with stronger body panels, but you know how it goes with beggers and choosers. In this price range, I'm definitely begging...

 

[WM75Guy]

You're right, it's a 250. My memory never has been what it used to be....

My machine is the newer TC40DA (2008). I'd rather have the older version with stronger body panels, but you know how it goes with beggers and choosers. In this price range, I'm definitely begging...

Sounds like a deal. Mine has the 16LA loader. The 250TL is the model that replaced it in 2006. And remember the TBN rules, no pictures - it never happened.

 

[Fields_mj]

Pictures will be forthcoming, nut it may be Saturdaybeforei can get any in the daylight. It was delivered last night. Unfortunately, the battery is in sad shape, and the leads were completely loose causing intermittent connection. It took 2 hours to figure out what was going on and then get it jumped and unloaded. When I finally got ahold of the dealer, they told me they had it inside on a charger before loading it because the battery was weak. That would have been nice to know. It would have been easy to have a charged battery sitting here waiting on it. The upside is that at least the salesman answered his phone at 7:30 last night.... other than that, the plastic on the tractor is rough, but otherwise it's in good shape.

 

[Fields_mj]

Needs a couple of small repairs, but it will last me the rest of my days with a little luck.