Buying Advice Opinions on 4wd compact tractor

[Jay4200]

RD MacGregor "rocks with an individual volume of about 4.5 cubic feet. Granite is 2691 #/cuft,"

I figured the volume assuming it is roughly a sphere (he supplied dia).

V=4/3 Pi (r cubed) I got 14 ft cubed

Ditto. But granite is NOT 2691#/cu ft. In any case, that is too big to lift with an FEL. Use a backhoe or excavator.

JayC

 

[LittleBlueTractor]

If I did my calculations correctly, you are looking at moving rocks with an individual volume of about 4.5 cubic feet. Granite is 2691 #/cuft, so these boulders would be about six tons each (sandstone would be about 5 tons and even pumice would be nearly a ton and a half)! You might be able to drag them, but I don't know of any CUTs that will pick them up, even with the 3ph (unless you have a field of pumice boulders). If you have very rough (or soft!) ground, dragging could be a challenge, too.

Even if you could pick up a rock that heavy, carrying it up and down hills could be a serious risk with a conventional tractor.

BOB
Mass, Weight, Density or Specific Gravity of Bulk Materials

Went to that page and saw that it was 2691 kilograms per cubic meter. Found a converter and ran the number and it gave 168 lbs/cuft. Don't know if that's right or not, but it seems more reasonable.

Mass per Volume - Density Calculator

 

[rjkobbeman]

Went to that page and saw that it was 2691 kilograms per cubic meter. Found a converter and ran the number and it gave 168 lbs/cuft. Don't know if that's right or not, but it seems more reasonable.

Mass per Volume - Density Calculator

I found it to be 168 p/cf also. But I also came up with 14 cf for a 3' sphere... which is like 2400lbs.

 

[Jay4200]

I found it to be 168 p/cf also. But I also came up with 14 cf for a 3' sphere... which is like 2400lbs.

I could lift that and still drink a beer.

JayC

 

[rjkobbeman]

I could lift that and still drink a beer.

JayC

Yeah, I could too. But the size tractor wasn't really discussed -- I think the OP mentioned 22-50 HP range.

Not to mention, 2400 lbs of dirt in a bucket is one thing. A 2400 lb rock dangling from a chain on a FEL navigating sloped terrain is entirely different.

 

[HHR]

I found that I have a New Holland dealer near me. Does anyone have experience with the Boomer 8N? I love the retro styling.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

For the few big granite boulders that I have had to move that were too big to pick up I just rolled them with the front forks instead of the bucket, more control, visibility, and leverage. Just go slow and don't let it get away from you on the hill.

 

[HHR]

Most of the rock moving will be on level ground. The tractor will also be used to remove snow on a 1/2 mile drive, and run a pto bush hog mower.

 

[doall]

The new 8n looks great. But for way less money you can get a 3050 and still have all the features. Same HP too.

 

[memman]

Went to that page and saw that it was 2691 kilograms per cubic meter. Found a converter and ran the number and it gave 168 lbs/cuft. Don't know if that's right or not, but it seems more reasonable.

Mass per Volume - Density Calculator

I work in granite. 180 lbs. c/f. At any rate, you're talking about some heavy awkward objects that can shift unpredictably. Be very careful with FEL