How fast does a big tractor go?

[JRobyn]

But tractors aren't usually set up with much caster to provide directional stability at any speed. They usually have near-zero caster to make turning the front wheels easier on soft surfaces (dirt). Getting mine much over 15-20 makes me nervous. A little too twitchy.

 

[LiveRoll]

Farm tractors are changing, a lot of the manufacturers are now adopting to go with the European design, with IVT transmissions, resulting in higher road speeds. In Europe, the cost of ownership of a farm having a bigger type truck, or tractor trailer unit are almost cost prohibitive with licensing, taxes, etc, so the tractor manufacturers have adapted the tractor to travel at near road speed, not only to improve turn-around times from field to farm, but to also help with traffic flow. Some of the JCB's ( fast-tracs) and Fendts etc have road speeds of 40 plus MPH. A lot of these tractors also have a front suspension system to help cope with the road surfaces. This is slowly transferring to North American models as well. I guess the biggest limitation would be in tire design, to build a tire that can handle the road and field surfaces, as well as the speed and the heat generated.

Cheers

Roger

 

[bigtiller]

My neighbor has a Fastrac that will go over 40 mph. I don't know which model he has though.

Agricultural Tractors

 

[MinnesotaEric]

JCB Fastracs fly insofar as tractors go.

 

[dickfoster]

Freekin krauts truly crave speed don't they?

 

[newbury]

My neighbor has a Fastrac that will go over 40 mph. I don't know which model he has though.

Agricultural Tractors

That's sort of what it looked like. I'd hate to get in it's way. Looked like the driver need to get someplace quick.

Freekin krauts truly crave speed don't they?

Do you need to dump on everything?

 

[JerryK]

You get up around 18 mph or so on an big old open station tractor with a little loosy goosy steering [ bouncing up and down thru the total range of your seat ], and that is plumb fast enough.....

 

[buickanddeere]

Europen depending has 50 and 60KM/hr tractor speed limits . Thier tractor trailers really do have "tractors" pulling them.

 

[PILOON]

If I'm not mistaken on many they have a highway gear option that is special order.
Same as creeper gear for snow blowing or tilling.

A friend used to drive 30-40 miles in all directions to collect hay and for sure they were moving at 40 or more, it was a ford.

 

[teejk]

Farm tractors are changing, a lot of the manufacturers are now adopting to go with the European design, with IVT transmissions, resulting in higher road speeds. In Europe, the cost of ownership of a farm having a bigger type truck, or tractor trailer unit are almost cost prohibitive with licensing, taxes, etc, so the tractor manufacturers have adapted the tractor to travel at near road speed, not only to improve turn-around times from field to farm, but to also help with traffic flow. Some of the JCB's ( fast-tracs) and Fendts etc have road speeds of 40 plus MPH. A lot of these tractors also have a front suspension system to help cope with the road surfaces. This is slowly transferring to North American models as well. I guess the biggest limitation would be in tire design, to build a tire that can handle the road and field surfaces, as well as the speed and the heat generated.

Cheers

Roger

My brother writes for several ag publications (free-lancer) and gets invited to a lot of machinery events...he said the primary goal in the industry now is "road speed". Figure with huge fields and expensive equipment, makes sense to be able to move quickly from one field to the next.