2 Wheel Tractors - Buying & Using

[ZJ_HR]

Sorry, don't have any Berta pic. I have their CD somewhere ...
Principle of rotary plow you can see here .

[To20Chris]

ZJ - why do you have the tires on "backwards" ?

[hobbyfarm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ZJ - why do you have the tires on "backwards" ? )</font>

To20Chris,
You DO understand that these tractors are <font color="red">bi-directional</font> right? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] The handlebars rotate 180 degrees to pull or push its various attachments. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

The tires are on the right way for tilling, which requires more traction than mowing, etc.

[To20Chris]

Thanks, I'm more used to my Gravely with fixed handle bars. But still, for the tilling direction he's going, the tires are reversed from that of a tractor. Not that you'd want to spin the tires every time!

I've recently procured a rusted out Gravely carcass - but it has duals on it. I've been spraying the bolts with penetrating oil every week - one of these days I'll find the time to get the air wrench on them. Then I'll put on 4 ag tires, and I've heard some people put one on forward, one on backward on each side. I may have to give that a try.

[ZJ_HR]

To20Chris,
Reason why tires are backwards is that, as I mentioned, machine is borrowed from my friend, and I was too lazy to replace their side. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

BTW, when you till soft ground, reverse tires don't dig when tires spin in place, similar effect to snow (tractor goes better backwards than forward in deep snow). This is good effect if machine has narrow tires and is lightweight.
Machine on pic is heavy about 450 lbs, and traction is not a issue.

[Bentworker]

Still looking for my info on the Berta rotary plow.

Does anybody have the video from Earth Tools?

I should give them a ring and get a copy of the video.....

[js5020]

Well I don't have a Berta rotary plow, but I do have one for the Gravely. I used it for the first time this year, quite a piece of equipment. Although I must say the Gravely plow is a handful to control, especially in rocky hard soil, but from what I have read the Berta is supposedly more user friendly, I would contact Earth Tools for info, maybe if your close enough they have one to demo.

[Libertine]

js5020 ( &amp; ZJ_HR et al):

<font color="blue">the Gravely plow is a handful to control, especially in rocky hard soil, but from what I have read the Berta is supposedly more user friendly </font>

Gee, I'm surprised this thread is still inching along. Trust you all doing well. Yes, having used both gravely &amp; Berta, Berta much easier. No comparison. The gravely's is "out front" and the angle has to be adjusted just right or it's a bear to keep straight, Keeps wantin to pull to one side or other if not perfectly adjusted-the gravely rotary plow can jerk your arms REAL bad. Berta is pulled and winds churning. Rocks (or tree roots!) don't affect it nearly as much. While there were some things I miss about the gravely, the tiller/rotary plow arn't one of them.

Have about 100 hrs on my BCS and am glad I switched to the BCS. Doesn't steer as easily as gravely with duals, but has brakes which make up for it. Bush hog (31") much better than gravelies, but finish mower not so good-doesn't pivot laterally so is more difficult to control/guide on slopes, irregular surfaces. Traction very good even with singles (have about 100 lbs. of wheel weights on the BCS). 12" wheels much better than the 8" on the gravely and with the diff lock have never been stuck in a rut. Chipper is excellent-feed rate better than some larger ones I've used.

take care

JEH

[aesanders]

I just purchased a bcs 830. It is about three years old with with very low hours and appears to be in great shape. Has 9hp briggs and 26" tiller. Really looking forward to logging in some time behind it. I will most likely get the snowblower and chipper for it.

I wish we could make a seperate 2 wheel forum secion on the website. Would be a pretty cool section if you ask me...

[js5020]

Hey I'm up for it, I just picked up a 12 hp Gravely last year, never used one before, I got 2 mowers, snowblower, blade, and a rotary plow with it and have added a sickle mower and another snowblower to the collection. The thing is amazing for it's size and is a serious get something done machine. It's easy to maintain and runs pretty cheap too. Parts look to be available and reasonably priced.