New Holland TL and TL-A series tractors originally spanned 65 to 95hp in TL guise, the firm subsequently bracketing 72 to 100hp as the more cutely curved TL-A. So what should you look for ‘used’, and how much should you pay? James de Havilland reports.
Head back some 15 years to the venerable Ford 35 series. Identical in all respects to its Fiat L siblings, this blue Ford 35 line morphed into the New Holland TL in 1998 which, in turn, eventually gave way to the Stage 2-compliant TL-A in late 2004. Although the TL-A benefitted from a hefty injection of style and higher capacity power units, the Ford 35 key fundamentals were carried over: straightforward tractors adept at yard work but still with sufficient spec to tackle a range of field tasks.
The T5000 series, which replaced the TL-A in early 2008, follows essentially the same tractor format, albeit with a new, cleaner engine up front, and in the not too distant future we’re likely to see the T5000 family upgraded yet again. From a used buyer’s perspective, strong sales must be good news, as there should be plenty of choice out there in the marketplace. At least, that’s the theory.
In practice, used TL models are becoming increasingly thin on the ground, with older examples finding a ready and profitable market overseas. Thankfully, TL-A models are more plentiful. Three- to four-year-old examples make up the greatest numbers, which means that those searching for an older, low-cost ‘yard’ tractor will have to work harder to find a suitable buy. And don’t expect to pick up an absolute steal.
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