I was getting excited at the thought of a rear steer 100hp wheel tractor to run a PTO forestry mulcher instead of a PosiTrack loader until i saw that photo . Unless they recast those housings to at least 1/2" thick i would not now entertain the idea .
The problem is that it's a design that under manufacturer recommended standard of operation, they don't fail (until that one). Which is why this is an issue. Dave admits that he was lifting the tractor up, which actually is not standard in use for tractor or loader according to the manufacturers,,, and it does void the warranty on both,, I know, it seems odd because for some guys this is common practice, but if you read back a few,, you'll note that I've said it before,,, it causes no end of problems, and should not be done. Any how, it's basicaly now like a public admission of guilt,,, sorry Dave because I really do empathize with you,, but it is unfortunately what it is. And like I said I'm virtually powerless to do anything because I'm just a peon.
Anyway, I don't think anyone really knows how to look at this. It is what has always been in the past,,, a bullet proof casing. Under normal circumstances it's not an issue and with no loader units it has never been seen before in the Carraro line up. Honestly, up until a few years ago that oscilationg tunnel was really the soft spot,,, the bushing was too soft and required more maintenance then the average American user was ever going to give. Since then, they learned better and developed a hard metal compound bushing/sleeve and sealed it up for better lube retention and easier/less maintenance. But those casings are made really well and with metal that Carraro uses to make axles and several other key componants for other makers models that also have not seen such breakage. So I'm sure everyone feels for Dave, but I can only venture to guess that they just don't know what to do and have it also come out fair for them.
As for making 1/2 inch castings,,, you must not be planning to buy a compact, ultra low profile, high horse power tractor from anyone for a darn long time,,,
We all know it would be a complete lie for any tractor dealer or rep to say that their tractors were perfect and built to do
anything and everything. And anyone that believes some one that says that is a fool. But used with in the recommended work that these tractors are designed for specifically, you couldn't ask for something more agile, safe, and with any better out right pull abilty then these tractors. Carraros biggest issue is that they are always WAY ahead of everyone else. So they are kind of like the sacrificial lamb of the orchard vineyard tractor industry... they'll always be light years ahead of everyone else,,, but unless you are doing orchard vineyard oriented work or traversing some seriously scary ground, there are other tractors that are cheaper that will do ok for the average work scenerio. Carraro tractors are a specialty tractor. They will go where other tractors just can't and they will do it far safer.
People ask for loaders and other things,,, somebody will make them, regardless of the risk, some one will always be standing there, ready to take your money and fulfill a wish or need, regardless of the long term out come. And that outcome unfortunately really is entirely upto the end user. As with any equipment, a person really has got to use common sense when adding any kind of equipment or load. And again, I have to say it,, you can look at the Carraro desgn and see they are not a tractor built to take a front mounted loader,,, the rear loaders on them are a more sensible design, but still, they are just not intended to "Carry" loads above the 3 point, they are made to pull.
Few tractors were designed to take loaders until the last 30 or so years ago, And those were often the commercial only models that no one except contractors could afford and many were still primative and large. But, with the housing and economy growth,,, more do it your selfers and folks with a few dollars moved out of town buying land to farm has forced a huge growth in the loader manufacturing business.
Tractor makers this last 12 years in particular have been really catching up and making the needed changes and building the traditional tractors to take that kind of beating, we've especailly seen huge leaps in the axle designs. But the specialty market is the specialty market.... they are intended to excell at something in particular,,which in the case with Carraro,, pull heavy loads up steep narrow and low canopy
orchard and vineyard hills, turn themselves and their load around on tight headlands then hold it all back and keep a driver safe from the effects of inertia and gravity when coming down the next row. Plus do it in reasonible comfort by preventing operator fatique which is the biggest cause of accidents with ANY
farm machinery.
If they do well at other tasks (and they do) this is wonderful,
but no tractor is intended to be everything to everyone. It's the reason that you really have to evaluate the difference between want and need, and use complete common sense when you evalute the use and matching machine to implements and the combination there of to the jobs you want to do.
It's all about balance, force and geometry....
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