Welcome to our informational web pages
This is a shared collection of pictures and information for our New Holland TC-40D SS tractor
Links to our other informational pages include

Our TC-40D-SS New Holland tractor
Adding front hydraulics to a TC-40D-SS
Building a bucket grapple for a TC-40D-SS
Adding a snowplow to a TC-40D-SS
Building a dolly for a 757C New Holland backhoe
Building a boom sprayer with foam marker
Dealing with wheel weights on a TC-40D-SS
Adding a larger toolbox to a TC-40D-SS
Removing 17LA loader on a TC-40D-SS
Adding rear remotes to a TC-40D-SS

This section covers adding A Larger Tool Box On A TC-40D SS

If you have a New Holland Tractor and have one of those small stock toolboxes then we are sure you will agree 
that they are about worthless for holding any real tools. We decided to do something to remedy the situation as it is 
good to have a few tools with the tractor, in the field just in case. If you would like a full size toolbox to hold tools, 
chains, or the like then read on. Click on any thumbnail picture to see a full size counterpart.

We went to a local steel scrap recycler and picked up 4 foot piece of 5 inch X 1/4 inch thick flat stock steel. It cost 
us $7.75 We cut 2 pieces 5 inches long and one piece 28 inches long. We used a metal blade in a Sawzall and it 
made short work of the cutting process.

Click on any thumbnail picture below to be taken to a full size counterpart.

This is the 28 inch piece. Please excuse the crust on my TC-40D SS. We just finished a 300 foot drainage ditch 
project and as you can see we slung some mud to say the least.

We placed two short pieces of 2X4 lumber on the fuel tank to act as temporary spacers and used high 
speed duct tape to hold each 5 inch piece on steel to the ROPS.

We then placed the 28 inch piece of steel on the 2X4s.

Good picture of a roll of duct tape. Hey it was there so why not!

We used a large piece of cardboard to trace the correct angle of the intersected steel pieces. You will need 
this angle for welding the pieces later on. We chose not to weld in place for fear of setting the fuel tank, tractor, 
and pole barn on fire.

We set the pieces on the concrete floor, propped the ends up using small pieces of 2X4s and used the cardboard template 
to achieve the correct angle. We recommend using just a tack weld at this point so that you can still do some 
fine tuning before doing the finish welds. The angles on both sides are the same just reverse the cardboard template.

After the steel has cooled set the tacked pieces on the 2X4s once again. Use a Crescent wrench to slightly bend 
each side if needed to get a good mate to your ROPS. Once you are satisfied with the angles on both sides 
remove the steel and set in on the concrete floor to finish your welds.

A good picture of a Crescent wrench. Hey it was there too!

Finish the end plates by arc welding on both the top and bottom sides.

We drilled the end brackets to accept a 4 X 4 U-bolt on each end plate using a 1/2 inch bit. It may be necessary
 to use a rat tail file to slightly elongate the holes so that the U-bolts will fit easily. We also purchased a 26 inch
 toolbox from Home Depot made by Contico called Tuff-Box. It is made of the same material as the 
New Holland fuel tank and is also the same color. It also carries a lifetime warranty and is nicely made with 
an interlocking lip to keep out water and the elements. The price was right at $19.95 

We drilled four 1/4 inch holes through the bottom of the toolbox and through the base pan of the welded steel mount. 
We used four 1/4 bolts, four flat washers, and four lock-nuts to secure the toolbox to the steel base. Prime and 
paint the welded steel base to prevent rust.

This is how the finished toolbox looks on the TC-40D SS. With the 2X4s that we used for spacing the box 
is only about 1 inch taller than the back of the seat. So it does not hamper your vision over your shoulder.

We adjusted the angle of the toolbox slightly back for drainage of rainwater. This can be adjusted before you 
tighten the U-bolts. We think that the toolbox blends in well with the tractor and gives the appearance of a 
factory furnished toolbox. Since it is made from the same material that the fuel tank is made of the color goes 
clear through. There is also no worry of rust developing on the toolbox itself and it will not interfere with 
implements such as the New Holland backhoe. You could however use any toolbox that you may already 
own to mount on the welded steel bracket. Good luck to you!