XmasTreeGrower
Member
Here's a couple of pics of my two workhorse Steiners that are used on our tree farm. One is a 1979 S-16 "Traction Master" that underneath it's even uglier sheetmetal, is basically the same tractor they produce today. It is normally equipped with a 48" mower that fits perfectly between the tree rows. As you will see in the pic, it also carries a front blade that turns it into a great snow plow when needed.
My other Steiner is a 1980 "Turfmaster", the predecessor to today's Utilimax. I use it primarily with the stump grinder attachment (superb by the way). Bob, it's equipped with a full hydraulic dump bed, making it a great all around utilty vehicle and firewood gatherer, as you have suggested. Attached is a couple of pics of the stump grinder attachment, and the Steiner in action inside the tree rows cleaning up stumps from last years cuttings.
Nothing inspires confidence like these machines in our constant off camber mountainside situations, and these Steiners have become my primary "go-to" machines. Just for contrast, I bought a brand new Kubota B1700 in 1998, and in 8 years time, it only has 146 hours. It gets used mostly for loader work, and loses out to the Steiners on most days.
Both machines are over 25+ years old, and are tougher than nails, requiring only routine maintenance with some occasional powerplant attention. Biggest aggravation I encounter is the carbureted Briggs motors loading up after you exceed about a 20 degree slope angle. Hope to solve this by finding the right deal on a diesel Steiner or Ventrac in the future. Tough to justify the big bucks though, when the old girls are getting the job done everyday!
Thanks
Bill
My other Steiner is a 1980 "Turfmaster", the predecessor to today's Utilimax. I use it primarily with the stump grinder attachment (superb by the way). Bob, it's equipped with a full hydraulic dump bed, making it a great all around utilty vehicle and firewood gatherer, as you have suggested. Attached is a couple of pics of the stump grinder attachment, and the Steiner in action inside the tree rows cleaning up stumps from last years cuttings.
Nothing inspires confidence like these machines in our constant off camber mountainside situations, and these Steiners have become my primary "go-to" machines. Just for contrast, I bought a brand new Kubota B1700 in 1998, and in 8 years time, it only has 146 hours. It gets used mostly for loader work, and loses out to the Steiners on most days.
Both machines are over 25+ years old, and are tougher than nails, requiring only routine maintenance with some occasional powerplant attention. Biggest aggravation I encounter is the carbureted Briggs motors loading up after you exceed about a 20 degree slope angle. Hope to solve this by finding the right deal on a diesel Steiner or Ventrac in the future. Tough to justify the big bucks though, when the old girls are getting the job done everyday!
Thanks
Bill
