Ya'll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

VaTractorGirl · Mar 24, 2004

Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

Thanks for everyones responses, they have helped, but also reading all the posts have kinda scared me off. I am the type that changes her own oil, helped build our house (roof work was NOT fun) and would rather regrout her bathroom than cook Thanksgiving dinner! I thought that I would just have my husband buy me one of these, (of course he would think it was his too) and just have a great time getting this yard the way that I would like. The problem now is since I have been reading the posts, they sound kinda difficult to work and get the hang of. I am all for reading manuals, but it doesn't sound like they will help me a whole lot. and I don't want to risk messing up a $14,000 tractor. I still like the TC24 over the 30 but my husband actually prefers the Kioti, I have convinced him to go with New Holland. I thought that the TC24 would be easier for me to figure out since it seems to be more "homeowner" friendly. Any who anyone that wants to tell me there is "nothing to it" please do so, but be honest. Also has anyone dealt with New Holland in Orange, Va? Thanks so much

DUMBDOG · Mar 24, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

If you can change your own car oil, you can take care of the tractor. Everything is easier to get to.

On one of your posts you expressed concern regarding turning, then get the supersteer.

rcaretti · Mar 24, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

While I can't speak to the ease of maintenance, I can say my wife has really taken a liking to driving the TC40 around and using the front end loader. It only took her a couple hours to get a handle on what everything does. She currently draws the line at plowing snow and mowing the fields. But, I think with a little coaxing, she'll be mowing soon.

I think that as long as you take your time and are careful doing things, you'll be fine.

NIXON · Mar 24, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

While I can't say there's nothing to operating a tractor . The learning curve isn't all that steep . When you first get on it ,just remember to go Slow . It'll take a bit of time . But after a while you'll find that operating your machine becomes very natural . The more you use it the less you'll find your self looking for the various controls . It all comes down to getting accustomed to your machine . Just remember to take it slow .. You're not in a race . The amount of work you can get done even at a cuts slowest rate is so much more than you can get done with a shovel ,rake ,and wheel barrow /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
There's nothing about a tractor to fear . But at the same time you have to respect the power of any machine . . John

VaTractorGirl · Mar 24, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

Your talking to a person whos husband found her hanging by her seatbelt straps, after I carried too heavy a load in a skid steer and didn't dump the bucket quick enough /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Talk about the pucker effect, I know it!

Inspector507 · Mar 24, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

Then you've already experienced most peoples worst fear, tipping. If you feel more comfortable on the TC24, then take a real hard look at it......and BUY it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I have the TC18 which is basically the same frame size. I am very comfortable operating it. My wife on the other hand won't even get near it. I think her fear is mainly "hurting" it. She would not even get on my 25 year old Yanmar when I had it.
The TC24 certainly has a few more "creature comforts" than the TC30 does. But the TC30 is larger and has more HP if you need it later.
Maintenance is easy to do. You'll have no problem if you can take care of the oil in the car/truck.

RoyJackson · Mar 24, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

These machines are pretty tough. Just go slow at first to familarize yourself with the capabiities and limitations (if the rear of the tractor comes up when you use the loader, you either need more ballast or a little less in the bucket). If the rear wheels spin when you're pushing or pulling a load, try moving a little less material.
For me, getting use to working on even a gentle (<5°) slope was a challenge. With your butt 40 or so inches off the ground, it feels intimidating initially. Just never, ever lose your respect for those slopes!

As far as hurting the tractor...as long as you check the oil, let it warm for a few minutes, keep the radiator grills clean and keep an eye on the instruments now and then...you ain't going to hurt it.

NIXON · Mar 24, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Your talking to a person whos husband found her hanging by her seatbelt straps, after I carried too heavy a load in a skid steer and didn't dump the bucket quick enough /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Talk about the pucker effect, I know it! )</font>
Then you've already learned the hardest lesson of all ! Respect your machine !! It can ,and will hurt you if don't think through what you're doing with it . Buy the machine you're thinking of . I'm sure you'll wonder how you did without it . John

AndyMA · Mar 25, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

Traci

Buy the TC24 with a loader and an attachment or two. You'll never regret it. It's much easier to maintain. I have a 2120 which is a little larger than a TC45 and my daughter started driving it when she was 8 or 9. By the time my kids were 10 or 11 they could do some real work with the machine. The loved moving rocks and pulling trees out of the woods. They did this all by themselves with me on the ground. I can tell you that I wouldn't have let them drive a car around at that age. I just had them keep the tractor in a very low range until their confort level build up. If they can do it you and your husband will have no problem. Find a friendly dealer and have him show you all the controls. Most dealers will have a place where you can practice with the loader and stuff. Just have fun as as others have said go slow for a while. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Andy

markie61 · Mar 25, 2004

Re: Ya\'ll have Made me Kinda Nervous about Buying

You can do it!

My wife is 4'10" and 100lbs and has very little mechanical inclination. She uses her dad's 1950's Ford that has a 150lb clutch and is literally held together with baling twine to bushhog, dig post holes, and move stuff with the FEL.

Today's tractors are easier to use, safer, and more capable. If you've already nosed over a Bobcat, you know to use your safety items and understand the danger possibilities. At least with a tractor, you can adjust the width of your tire track and add counterweights to make it more stable.

Good luck!

Mark