Adelaide Panda
New member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2012
- Messages
- 6
- Tractor
- New Holland TN55S
G'day all!
A man from Australia who does things a bit differently with a tractor. The work that I do is brick cartage, and the method in Australia is to use tractors with rear mounted forklifts. Most brands of tractors have been used for this work, which is very hard on tractors. Many have broken in half, some have survived and thrived in the harsh conditions.
I started off with a 35 series Massey Ferguson with a Kaesler mast on the back. Good for 35 cwt on a good day, often had 2 tonne on the poor girl, with the front wheels in the air! Still have this tractor and use it from time to time.
Another tractor that was enjoyable to operate was a 444 International, set up with a Robot rear mount mast with the seat turned around. Trouble with the Inter is that the stub axles are too light, and the disc brakes are not up to the work in winter months as once moisture gets into them, they grab, which is not good.
About 12 years ago, I decided to upgrade the tractor. I went to the Paskeville field day, and the local agent had a New Holland TN55S doing circle work. Only in bottom gear, but going in a slow circle, on the grass, not disturbing the grass. When I set up this tractor, I done all the odd things to it that few others in the industry would do... low mast allowing me to get under 6' clearance, an overloaded counterweight, and mirrors at the first service.
After about 3 months, I decided to find out what I could lift with this machine on the rear mounted forklift. I went to one of the scale companies, and at the end, I had 3.03 tonne (6,785 lbs.) on the forks at a 2' centre and that was just lifting the front wheels off the ground.
The sales rep that sold the machine to me, he was giving me a very hard time about how I was setting this machine up. He set up the Iseki tractors for one of the large transport companies when they won a brick cartage contract in 1991. The Isekis' had problems with the gears in the final drive, so I understand. The rep come out to site after the mirrors had been fitted, and was shaking his head at how the tractor was being used. Fitting mirrors made me lazy - I could now look into the mirrors to see where my forks were when unloading off the truck! No more turning around and screwing my back and neck off!!! Having the extra counterweight allows me to drive up a hill with a pallet of bricks on the back, which is a lot quicker for me when unloading.
At the moment, I am having a quiet time, as am off without a truck. But, I have confidence that things will sort themselves out soon.
I look forward to learning from other members in this community. One is never too old to learn so I keep getting taught!
Ding.
A man from Australia who does things a bit differently with a tractor. The work that I do is brick cartage, and the method in Australia is to use tractors with rear mounted forklifts. Most brands of tractors have been used for this work, which is very hard on tractors. Many have broken in half, some have survived and thrived in the harsh conditions.
I started off with a 35 series Massey Ferguson with a Kaesler mast on the back. Good for 35 cwt on a good day, often had 2 tonne on the poor girl, with the front wheels in the air! Still have this tractor and use it from time to time.
Another tractor that was enjoyable to operate was a 444 International, set up with a Robot rear mount mast with the seat turned around. Trouble with the Inter is that the stub axles are too light, and the disc brakes are not up to the work in winter months as once moisture gets into them, they grab, which is not good.
About 12 years ago, I decided to upgrade the tractor. I went to the Paskeville field day, and the local agent had a New Holland TN55S doing circle work. Only in bottom gear, but going in a slow circle, on the grass, not disturbing the grass. When I set up this tractor, I done all the odd things to it that few others in the industry would do... low mast allowing me to get under 6' clearance, an overloaded counterweight, and mirrors at the first service.
After about 3 months, I decided to find out what I could lift with this machine on the rear mounted forklift. I went to one of the scale companies, and at the end, I had 3.03 tonne (6,785 lbs.) on the forks at a 2' centre and that was just lifting the front wheels off the ground.
The sales rep that sold the machine to me, he was giving me a very hard time about how I was setting this machine up. He set up the Iseki tractors for one of the large transport companies when they won a brick cartage contract in 1991. The Isekis' had problems with the gears in the final drive, so I understand. The rep come out to site after the mirrors had been fitted, and was shaking his head at how the tractor was being used. Fitting mirrors made me lazy - I could now look into the mirrors to see where my forks were when unloading off the truck! No more turning around and screwing my back and neck off!!! Having the extra counterweight allows me to drive up a hill with a pallet of bricks on the back, which is a lot quicker for me when unloading.
At the moment, I am having a quiet time, as am off without a truck. But, I have confidence that things will sort themselves out soon.
I look forward to learning from other members in this community. One is never too old to learn so I keep getting taught!
Ding.