TC33D new extra heavy duty step added

[Davefromfriendsvillemd]

I installed a new welded extra heavy duty tractor step for my TC33D New Holland tractor. I have it bolted up temporarily to see how it works and the step works perfect. I bought the welded step MADE IN USA from eBay and bought two 1/4”x4”x9” steel plates. I used 1/4” carriage bolts to temporarily secure it in place. I have grade 8 3/8” bolts, nuts, lock washers, washers I will be using. I did not want to buy the available stamped steel tractor step. Trying to avoid buying import junk. These welded steps are great and high quality. The 1/4” mounting bracket are around 1/4” wider on each side of the two tractor step mounts. When you tighten the bolts the two steel mounting plates pull inwards to make a nice tight fit. The tractor welded step mounts are around 7” center to center. The step is 9” wide 9” drop. I wanted a wider step. It worked out great.

 

[raz0rcuts]

That sounds awesome! I'm new to tractor mods. Your setup sounds solid. Did you have to drill new holes or did it line up with the factory mounts? Also curious if the wider step gets in the way when climbing off with tools or gear. Thinking about doing something similar but not sure where to start. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Davefromfriendsvillemd]

The new holland step mounts are around 7” apart. The welded step is 9” apart. Mounting the 1/4” steel inside the step brings the gap 1/2” closer. I placed the 4” steel underneath against the mounting bracket to mark the holes where to drill. Drilling the holes I used an 1/8” drill bit to drill all holes then used the the larger drill bit to drill the final hole. I installed all the nuts and bolts loosely and slowly tightened each one a little at a time pulling the gap on the top mounting bracket closer till completely tight. The 4” steel will bend slightly as you tighten the nuts bolts. I am very pleased with the step. I just need to change the nuts and bolts to 3/8” grade 8 so I can really have them super tight. You can buy a 7” wide step to fit the mounting bracket perfect but I wanted the wider 9” step which worked perfect and absolutely no clearance issues. My step has a 9” drop, I could have gone 10” but I thought 9” was best and I would still choose 9”. I have 1/4” cheap carriage bolts on now which are to small just wanted to see how it looked mounted. I will be changing to the 3/8” grade 8 nuts bolts lock washer.

feels rock solid and extra heavy duty and absolutely not slippery.

 

[Davefromfriendsvillemd]

I used grade 8 3/8” x 1 1/2” bolts because I wanted extra tightening power to bend the steel slightly to conform to the OEM tractor step 2 hole mount. It worked out great.

 

[AlanD]

It's a great idea however, everyone needs to understand that step does not come with inner two treads welded in place. You will have to weld those in. I missed that before I ordered.

 

[Davefromfriendsvillemd]

My TC33D had the mounting holes already there just needed two bolts two nuts washers and lock washers or nyloc nuts