Addition to the Lineup

Corley5 · July 02, 2020, 10:51:33 PM

This TC40D New Holland moved into its new home at Whittaker Farms today. Used it a bit tonight with the 7' finish mower. It's pretty nice. A big step up from the H Farmall ;) :D ;D

Need to buy some rattle cans and adjust the color on the bucket ;) ;D

Sedgehammer · July 02, 2020, 10:58:39 PM

Sweet. Details, details, details....... ;D

Corley5 · July 03, 2020, 12:01:56 AM

It's a 2003, 40 engine hp with HST tranny, Super Steer, and had 1275 hours on the clock when it arrived today. It's got a new oil cooler, PTO switch, starter, and seat. We put a new battery on it today. The old one was ten years old and that's how long it took the wrong battery to shift around and wear a hole in the oil cooler. Two trips to Car Quest and we got it figured out and got the bigger battery secured in place with an after market hold down and a little welding. Better than OEM. There's still a loose connection or bad ground somewhere, maybe the new starter solenoid is bad. It takes several turns of the key to get the starter to engage sometimes. Other times it starts instantly. Something for further investigation. The cruise control doesn't work. Research says the magnet and sensor fail. I need a service manual. The previous owners used it for snow removal and mowing a little grass for the 7 years they had it. It had 500 hours on it when they got it from the wife's boss. They weren't even aware of the cruise control feature. The platform sections under the floor mats need to be taken off, wire wheeled and painted. Salt has worked on them but they're not rotted.
I've been looking for a machine for a while now. We almost bought a Bobcat 853H on Monday. Older machine but low houred and very tight. Glad the dealer didn't call me back after our meeting. I'd have bought it then but he had to talk to his siblings in the business about our offer which was more than fair for a 25 year old machine. Oh well. Their loss.
I'd seen this machine on CL and FB Marketplace, had looked at the pics but hadn't really considered it. It was advertised with a 6' snow blower and pallet forks. Went to an auction last weekend to look at a 4610 JD like 400 other people did. No auction pricing at that sale. Then there was the Bobcat and back to this tractor. It was gone from CL but still on FB so I got a hold of the seller and we went for a look. Made the deal minus the blower and forks. We don't need a snow blower and the forks were pretty light and we've got forks anyway.
The bucket is a brand new Kubota complete with tags and stickers. They'd worn the original's non-replaceable cutting edge out scraping ice off the concrete in their driveway. They wanted a replaceable edge. Then they decided they wanted a new tractor with a cab and there's a new Kubota in their garage.

farmfromkansas · July 03, 2020, 04:39:19 AM

You went from an antique H to this thing? I have an antique super H, but have not started it in a few years. Amazing the change in technology over the last 80 years.

thecfarm · July 03, 2020, 05:30:21 AM

Nice!! I have a TC40A. I see you have steps on each side of yours. Like the real tires too. I bought mine with 800 hours on it,8 years old!!! I added some hours to it.

Corley5 · July 03, 2020, 07:09:55 AM

We used the 1941 H to mow with last year after adding a 3pt hitch. There are other tractors here but nothing newer than 1960s technology. The last two mower tractors were a 2010 JD row crop and a 400 Case. Both sent away before rebuilds were necessary. This joins a Bobcat 753 skid steer and a 544H JD wheel loader in the active lineup.

Sedgehammer · July 03, 2020, 07:52:42 AM

We've been looking fir a tractor, but like you the online auctions are stupid high. Nun my business, but may I ask what you paid? Thanks

Ron Wenrich · July 03, 2020, 09:21:29 AM

I have a TC35D. I bought it with 200 hrs on it. Now at 650 hr. I use it for mowing, dragging my lane, snow blowing, mulching, and just hauling stuff around (firewood). I had an older Farmall which was pretty much a beat machine, but all I could afford at the time.

I haven't had too many problems. I do have problems with the battery connection at times. Clean the posts and then good to go. The cruise control has given out. The glow plugs don't work. I haven't had any problems starting in cold weather, even down to about 0°.

I bought mine from a local equipment dealer. Probably about 15 yrs ago.

Corley5 · July 03, 2020, 09:51:45 AM

I've been warned by a local tractor mechanic, former head mechanic at the local NH, Kubota dealership to be careful lifting stuff with the loader. They're rated for 2,000lbs but will lift more. More muscle than bone. He's seen 3 break at the bell housings and one at the front of the engine. One of those operators was loading BIG logs on a Woodmizer. The other was moving junk cars.

Corley5 · July 04, 2020, 07:17:41 AM

The belt on the finish mower gave up yesterday morning so I played with the loader a bit. Dug around in a gravel pile and it didn't take anytime to confirm what I already knew. It needs weight either fluid in the rear tires or iron on the wheels. Gonna check this morning to see if a set of Farmall A wheel weights might work. That would be too easy. After playing in the dirt I pushed the sawdust away from the firewood processor's house. It works. After years of using left hand reversers the direction pedals will take some getting used to.

btulloh · July 04, 2020, 08:21:25 AM

Nice looking tractor. A couple more conveniences over an H. I'm sure you'll get a lot of good use out of it.

I'd recommend getting the tires loaded. Even with wheel weights, you'll probably want/need more weight. I have loaded tires and I always have a counter weight on the back when doing anything significant with bucket. The new stuff they load tires with now doesn't eat your rims like calcium did, so there's no downside.

Enjoy your new tractor!!

Corley5 · July 04, 2020, 10:06:17 AM

It's a whole lot easier getting on and off this than the wheel loader or Bobcat ;) ;D

Bruno of NH · July 04, 2020, 04:36:06 PM

Good buy

Larry · July 05, 2020, 10:18:17 PM

Thirty years ago I bought a 1720 which I think was the predecessor to what you brought home. Shibaura engine, maybe they made the whole tractor. My tractor only had 200 hours and I bought it really cheap. My intention was to flip fast and pocket a couple grand. At the time I didn't need another tractor having two 100 horse John Deere's and a Oliver chore tractor. The big tractors are long gone and I still have the little 1720.

I can't think of a better tractor its size. Has almost 4,000 hours now, looks really old, sorta like the owner. Only repair has been one set of glow plugs and I had the injectors cleaned/adjusted at the same time. It sips fuel, fast, quiet, and easy off and on. I use it all the time with logs, slabs, and lumber around the sawmill. Does the mowing and it gets used in the woods quite often. I only run the forklift for the heavy lifting.

Couple years ago I was thinking maybe a new tractor. The Kubota dealer brought out a 40 HP something. Nice machine but it struggled to lift anymore than the old Ford. I passed.

I had to weight the rear tires with a full load of calcium plus it has 250 pounds of wheel weights. Still not enough. My rims are completely rusted out at the valve stems due to the calcium. I bought new rims and need to swap, just haven't found the time. Thinking about windshield wiper fluid for fluid weight but I its not as heavy.

SwampDonkey · July 06, 2020, 04:57:42 AM

Quote from: Corley5 on July 04, 2020, 07:17:41 AM
The belt on the finish mower gave up yesterday morning so I played with the loader a bit. Dug around in a gravel pile and it didn't take anytime to confirm what I already knew. It needs weight either fluid in the rear tires or iron on the wheels. Gonna check this morning to see if a set of Farmall A wheel weights might work. That would be too easy. After playing in the dirt I pushed the sawdust away from the firewood processor's house. It works. After years of using left hand reversers the direction pedals will take some getting used to.

On our Kabota we use the backhoe attachment for weight. A Kabota also has more lift than weight behind it. So yeah, get some weight.

One thing though, we got third party bucket and blade because Kabota equivalent are light metal junk.

Nice little score. ;)

Corley5 · July 18, 2020, 04:44:11 PM

We had 60+ yards of crushed stone spread on the driveway the last few days and today we hooked up the tractor and the Adams #3 and graded it out.

Had the old quack hog hooked up a few days ago to smooth out the trails across the fields where the bio-sludge was knifed in.

I've been working on a Bush Hog we bought a year ago. It was absolutely abused by its original owner. It appears that it was used to mow rock piles. The blades were so beat and out of balance that it cracked out the top where the gear boxes mount. I checked out the gear boxes before I bought and they're smooth. We bought it from the 2nd owner who was going to do what I've done. I welded the deck where it was separating from the frame, replaced a wheel assembly and have welded up the cracks where the gear boxes mount. I thought I had pictures of that. I'm waiting for the two weld plates to be made that will be welded on for reinforcement to bolt the boxes back on. My neighbor, who also brought us the driveway stone is making them. I'm not rushing him. He turned 89 in May.

Looking forward using it. It's an expensive piece of equipment to buy new. New blades, blade bolts, tail wheel, welding rod, new bolts to mount the gear boxes and whatever Chuck wants for making the plates and I'm into for way less than new. It'll go good with Boomer. The last pic is of the 84" Woods finish mower. It's been a really good piece of equipment. It's got a new belt now.

SwampDonkey · July 18, 2020, 04:58:42 PM

I think I paid CDN $1600 with taxes on a new one 2 years ago. Made in Canada in Ontario. I think they said a Mennonite shop. I haven't much to hog, but still handy. Clutch on it to. I have a rough spot I keep the weeds and dogwoods under control.

Neat old grader. Some stuff is built to keep going as long as some of it isn't wooden. I lot of old machinery here in the bone yard had a lot of wood parts, so long retired. And because dad's uncles weren't much for looking after stuff, fell down around them. ;)

Corley5 · July 18, 2020, 05:07:21 PM

Still tracking down the electrical gremlin. It's common to these tractors from what I'm reading. The P.O. replaced the starter, PTO safety switch, and seat switch. SO I'm fairly sure those aren't the issue currently but they can be in. I've replaced the battery cables and battery. Next is checking the Ohms at the neutral switch. If that checks OK then the ignition switch is next. General consensus is that NH cheaped out on those. The contacts in them are weak and break, corrode, and actually melt over time. New ones are just as cheap and it's recommended to get an after market.

Corley5 · July 18, 2020, 05:08:35 PM

The old grader still has the holders for reins on it 8) 8)

SwampDonkey · July 18, 2020, 05:14:45 PM

And now you have a horse you can step off at quitting time and not have to feed and tend. :D

Walnut Beast · July 18, 2020, 07:10:16 PM

Pretty cool using the grader. How much a ton was it for the rock

Corley5 · July 18, 2020, 07:54:55 PM

$200.00 for a 10+ yard load. I'll ask how many tons are on a load.

Walnut Beast · July 18, 2020, 10:16:10 PM

Last time I got rock it was around 680 bucks for a truck and pup delivered. There is a rock quarry 30 miles away

Corley5 · July 18, 2020, 10:49:36 PM

The quarry is about 20 miles from us in Afton. Thus we call it Afton Stone. Used to be a rail road that connected it to the main lines and the harbor in Rogers City.

Corley5 · July 22, 2020, 06:14:46 PM

We adjusted the grade after a couple inches of rain. I worked up the trail in field again to smooth it out more. The big blue stem will be ready to be cut for hay in a couple weeks. A friend cuts it for his beef herd. That JD quack hog was bought new by my Great Great Grandfather James Collins.