NH TC30 @ 50 hours

[wayne440]

Purchased this tractor in early March, and just turned over 50 hours. No major issues with the tractor, it has performed well and offers a good basic machine for the $. Don't look for a foldable ROPS, cup holder, fancy styling or any of the other frills that the Boomer series has, you won't find that here. What you will find is a tractor that does what its older counterparts have done since the 3 point hitch was invented - it serves as a basic power and traction source to make what ever it is attached to work. I have said that the TC30 may be the modern day 8N, since it is of about the same dimensions and power. It is somewhat (about 800 pounds maybe?) lighter, but the MFA makes up for that unless you have a really heavy implement on the rear.

The tractor has more than enough lift capacity at the 3 pt. to lift the front wheels, even with a couple of front weights. In fact it was enough to bend my new box blade when I over estimated the quality of the blade. It also has more power than it can put to the ground, which IMHO beats a heavy machine that never spins but instead pulls until something breaks. It will spin well before you get to the point where parts begin to break. AG tires might change this scenario, mine has R4 rubber.

Very few gripes so far- the PTO shift and Range selector often require a little clutch "fiddling", since they are apparently square cut gears. Some more use and wear will probably fix that eventually. A $2 radiator overflow bottle would be a nice touch, the unit puked antifreeze in my driveway on delivery.
A rear work light was an extra cost option, I thought that should have been standard, since it has all kinds of other red and amber lights back there- I bought a $3 flea market "fog light" and used the wire already provided.

Best feature- the hydro transmission; well worth the cost.

[draddogs]

Wayne, glad to here that you are satisfied with your NH. I really like the NH TC 30 series and have never heard any bad problems with the NH tractors in general. Please keep us updated as it ages gracefully in you possession.

[Argee]

Nice review Wayne...I have the 1715...a little older but similar...I feel the same way..a lot of tractor for its size.

[Wingnut]

Good Report!!!

Planning on a 75 hour or a 100 hour report next?

[wayne440]

I'll probably post another review at some point, my feeling is the machine has lots of hours to go before its performance will change significantly. I have been using a 6ft flail with it lately, a large mower for 24 PTO hp. It does better than I expected, as long as the ground speed is reasonable.

[dd85]

Since you have 50 hours on the machine, You are remembering to do the 50 hours service.... aren't you?
Just remember the engine oil filter is on the left side of the engine next to the oil dipstick, and the hydro filter is on the right side of the engine. ( you would be surprised how many people get them confused)
Glad you like the tractor. :goodl:
and :wwp:

[wayne440]

I just completed the 50 hour service. Bought $60 worth of "NH brand" filters to do so, then found that Wix brand would have been about half the price. Went back for some more stuff, and found the dealer I bought the machine from closed up last week :fing20:

At least the tractor is still doing just fine, here it is when delivered... http://www.mytractorforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6316

[dd85]

Wayne440 , Sorry to here about the Dealer closing. What Stste are you in?
If you want to PM me I might be able to help.

[wayne440]

I appreciate your offer, I'm a good distance away in KY - there are a couple of NH dealers within 30 miles or so, but they don't seem to have much time for a guy with only one small tractor and a few old implements. I may call on you once in a while, if you don't mind. :thanku:

[wayne440]

After nearly 100 hours the TC30 has been trouble free, as expected. I compared the TC30 to Ford’s 8N in my initial review and it has filled the 8N’s place admirably so far. It isn’t perfect, but is a good basic tractor as was the 8N.

The TC30 is light over all for its horsepower and size at about 2400lbs, you will want at least 100lbs of front weights when an implement heavier than about 500 lbs is attached unless you are operating on a smooth level surface, or enjoy steering with prayer and the brakes. At the rear, the sheet metal is thin, with both fenders vibrating wildly at various engine speeds. Axles, housings etc. are not nearly as substantial as those of models just a few years older. Granted, it may last “forever”, but the little NH looks alarmingly under built if you are accustomed to older machines.

The tractor has plenty of 3 pt. lift capacity, but the lift arms are cumbersome to adjust. Not using check chains, this unit has a turnbuckle assembly outboard of each lift arm. These require two wrenches to properly adjust, and the adjustment is tedious. When no implement is attached a rubber bungee cord is used to keep the lift arms off of the tire sidewalls, a cheap “fix” for poor engineering. The right side lift arm has an adjustable link but once again, two wrenches are needed for adjustment. It is sad to say that the 8N has a far superior 3pt. hitch design, with inboard check chains and a hand-crank adjustable leveling link.

Fortunately, once hooked up and adjusted, the TC30 shows redeeming qualities. The hydro transmission and power steering make it a very easy to operate machine. Anyone who can use a riding lawnmower should be able to handle the TC30 within minutes. It will run “wide open” all day without complaint; the engine will probably outlast the remainder of the machine. Much of the time mine has been used with a 6ft. flail mower, a substantial load for a 24 PTO horsepower tractor. I have also used it quite a bit to run a generator during power outages with good results. The rear PTO remains a bit difficult to engage, but works quietly when in use. To sum up, the TC30 is a good little machine that is a bit of a hot rod. It is a small, light and easily maneuverable tractor with perhaps a bit more power than it can put to use effectively, even with front wheel assist.