MultiMow
Gold Member
Check out the Antonio Cararro TTR subcompact. The turning radius isn't as quite as good as "big/little" combos... but it's definitely capable of reasonably tight turns... especially when used in the reverse position as a rear steer (it's a bidirectional tractor with reversible seat/console/steering).The blue tractor in MossRoad's post above is a Ford New Holland 9030 "Bi-Directional" tractor. Pretty sweet setup, but it appears New Holland ended production of Bi-Di's around 2015.
I found a youtube vid of one being used for snow removal. 3pt Snow blower right below the operator, and a drag blade on the other end make fast work of things! Man, what a sweet setup!
Even without the Bi-Di capability, I still think that most CUT's would be better off with similar sized tires all around, even if the rears were slightly smaller. The trouble is that larger tires on the front limit turning radius unless you do an articulated design. Articulated designs are a bit more expensive, and take some getting used to, but Power Trac operators seem to get the hang of it quickly and it is more maneuverable in tight quarters once you learn to run it.
Perhaps someone will come out with something one of these days that's a little less traditional, but if they do, it'll probably end up a niche product, kinda like the Power Trac.
You can buy a Kubota L series with roughly the same horsepower for less money and a tighter turning radius... but by the time you add in all the options that come standard on the AC, it costs more (and still isn't bidirectional).
$26k gets you a TTR ll with all the standard hydraulics you'll likely ever need (front and rear), and bidirectional capability. To get anything else with that kind of capability here in the states... you're looking at a 96hp New Holland that is FAR from the subcompact range, size, or price.
