Some times it certainly feels like that's the case... I thought this original poster MIGHT be a capable of thinking outside the box since he'd already considered skidders (which are either articulating, or 4-wheel steer machines), skidsteers, and small tracked vehicles...
I wonder how many of these posters
ever use their machines for what that design (ag tractors and all subsequent derivatives) was originally designed for -- pulling a plow or something similar. Once you get past the need for plowing, almost every other thing they do is a compromise, and sometimes a serious compromise. Ironically, farming is going away from plowing, and using no-till planting to avoid erosion and such...
At least some have tillers, where it is advantageous to readily till out your tracks, while keeping all four wheels on solid ground. Having most implements out front where you can see them, and keeping the body of the machine out of the "work area" is an incredible advantage for most things you try to do... before you even talk about the maneuverability and traction that full-time 4WD and articulation/oscillation provides...
Thanks for stepping in guys -- at least we've tried!
It's kinda funny, I typically don't even jump in any more, recommending PTs, unless I see something in their needs that clearly points to using one. Otherwise, it's kinda like trying to swim upstream against the current of strongly and widely held preconceptions by the majority of posters...
There are none so blind as those who will not see...
Power-Trac
really needs a dealer network, where people could have the opportunity to try for themselves and experience the advantages -- not to mention the whole service/support issue...
If I were "king for a day" -- I'd try to inject PTs widely into equipment rental outlets (even at a discount), and potentially use them as a dealer network... There is simply no substitute for experiencing one -- words to describe them are almost totally inadequate.
As a minimum, PT should have high-quality videos (similar to Moss's) showing each attachment being used...
