New holland TC-30 or T1510 tractors

[Wile E]

Does anyone on this site own or know anyone who owns a New Holland TC-30 or T1510 tractor?
I am wondering about, reliability? Durability? Cold Starting? Any known problems? I think that New Holland is discontinuing this model and the dealers have some left. I would love to have one of these tractors but I need to know if there are known problems with these.
Please chime in with your comments.
 

[Jim SC]

Neighbor has a TC-33, 1100 hours, that he bought new. He loves it, has never been in the shop. He doesn't do heavy work, garden discing, cultivating and mowing with bush hog and finish mower. Hope this helps.
 

[Will Gumbert]

I have had a TC-33D since 2002 and it is my main mowing tractor since then. I haven't had any major problems with it just the gauges weren't made well and I had to replace them (oil and temp) a few years ago. It will just barely handle a 72" brush hog on hilly ground, so I added a little front weight. But overall I love it and it is very reliable. Mine has the R4 industrial tires which are a good overall tire on 4x4 tractor. Highly recommend the hydrostatic tranny if you can swing it. -Will

 

[Wile E]

That is a nice machine you got there.
I am referring to the economy tractor, the T1510 or the TC30, (I may be calling the TC30 by the wrong name)
I think yours is the 1.5 liter engine. (I would have to look that up)
Did you buy that new? or used? It is amazing to see new tractors with 50 hours on them and they are for sale, Incredible to see someone take a bath on a tractor that they bought new and then sell it after 1 year, or less.
 

[charlie n]

2300 hours and no problems.I bought it new .It's been in the shop twice.Once to have the remote valve installed and once to have the loader put on.This is a 1998 1530.


 

[Scott PA]

They are reliable, it is one of the longest production of a Ford tractor design except for the Fordson, the design came out in 1987 called the model 1520.
 

[Will Gumbert]

I think I remember the tractor you're referring to and if it's the one I'm thinking of it is a 30 hp machine similar in size to mine, just with a more squarish hood. I actually wanted to buy that at the time but the dealer didn't have one (or they didn't make it) with a hydro trans. If so, it is made by Shibaura in Japan who still makes the engines for New Holland compact tractors (and the engine in my TC33). I think you would find it to be a good, reliable machine as there are quite a few around here, but I don't have any first-hand experience with one. -Will
 

[DGinVT]

MY neighbor has a TC30 and loves it. It bush hogs in the summer, draws wood and is used heavily in the winter for snow removal with loader and snow thrower. I have a TC 34DA and I have never had a any problems.I do the same thing with mine and also use a rototiller on the back end. Both always start in the winter with the glow plugs. In my opinion they are both good machines and we have an excellent dealer.
 

[John_PA]

I have one. I actually have several shibura tractors. a 1210, 1910, and the TC-30. The TC-30 kept it simple and plain, improved on some things that were problems before. The one thing I don't like about it is the location of the lights on the front of the hood. They are bright, but the only thing you can see is the ground in front of the tractor. it blinds you to the sides. So, when I pull in the building at night, I'm almost better off to shut off the lights and use a flashlight to avoid rubbing against another tractor. I've thought about mounting side fender lights, but want to build fiberglass bezels to make them look built in. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. Seems there is always something else that needs fixed, no time to improve... drawback to owning 9 tractors and all the other farm equipment.



The one thing you should consider heavily is tire choice. The R4 tires do not like wet grass or cut grass with a lot of moisture. If you don't live on hills, it might not be a problem for you. it is problem for me. I wish I had bought Ag tires and turf tires.


The hydrostat is pretty strong, but the zeroing damper looses adjustment pretty easily and it's not easy to get to, to readjust. I could have gotten a lemon in that respect, but, it is still a nice machine.
 

[Wile E]

I appreciate all the input from everyone.
I mainly would be using the T1510 for driveway plowing/grading and major land cleanup in the back of my property. The R4 tires are what I would get, I would only do light mowing, no real hilly areas.
I have neighbor that had the TC-30 at his house for a month in the summer several years ago. It was a nice machine. (his friend lent it to him for a case of beer or something) I would love to have one before they are obsolete and gone for good. They have been in production for many years, so there should be no problems with the design.