The perfect tractor.

[BrokenTrack]

TimberJack skidders USED to be that way as well, with many of their components being GM off the shelf stuff like transmissions and rear ends. Don't quote me, but I think you could even drop in a gasoline engine from a pick up if in a pinch...but no sure. They were very easy machines to work on, but then so was everything in those days.

 

[BrokenTrack]

My honest feeling is...and I know people will fly to Maine and slit my throat for saying this, but...if anyone is going to even dream of a 100 year tractor, they probably should be thinking one that is nuclear powered or driven by electric batteries.

I was thinking of this post last night and got out my yesteryear tractor books, and in 1918 they were still converting from Steam Engines to Gasoline. Diesel was still on the horizon. Heck the Great Northern paper Company was still using horses in the woods in 1966!

No one can predict the future, but since all we have is the past, based upon that, a far better engine will be here soon that is not reliant upon oil that reached peak supply.

I am not trying to let my dog pee on your picnic blanket, but reaching out 100 years seems pretty arrogant to me. The builders of these old tractors never did that, they just happened to hit upon a really good design, but like the Ford 900 and 8N...one of the most successful and useful tractors in my opinion...they did so because the 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 were failures. They never tried to design a perfect 100 year tractor, they just stumbled into building one.

 

[MossRoad]

The ground looks like you ran a tiller across unless you just drove across it in a straight line. And on asphalt I can just see dollar signs wearing off the tracks.

I have no idea what you are referring to. :confused3:

 

[MossRoad]

We will most likely have to sacrifice "road" gear, for low end torque. Our primary focus is to make the machine last for as long as possible. Cv transmissions are very efficient at transferring torque even for gas motors. They make hydrostatic transmissions for combines, so scaling up and getting torque and turning large wheels is very possible. We are looking at something similar to a torque converter or liquid coupling for each wheel. They deal with shock and changes well, and we like the idea of several small modular bolt on parts that one man can carry, as opposed to a 400 lb tranfer case. Most of the tractor drive train should be quick connect hydraulic couplings and 4-6 large bolts.

If you do that sacrifice, in order to get enough "grunt", or power to the ground to do hard, earth engaging tasks like plowing dirt and pulling stumps, you won't have nearly enough ground speed to get anywhere on someone's property in a timely manner.

No one wants a super-powerful tractor that can't be moved at more than a fast walking pace.

 

[MossRoad]

Note that you are better off using a fitting (such as a JIC fitting) rather than a quick connect. Quick connects disrupt the flow of fluid and cause heat.
Eaton makes a 2 speed hydraulic wheel motor: http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/public/@pub/@eaton/@hyd/documents/content/pct_430501.pdf

Aaron Z

I'd need four of those 2-speed motors. Could get expensive, quick.

 

[MossRoad]

Basic...less sensors and safety switches.

You just described my Power Trac. :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

How would issues be handled , Crate it back up and ship it back to the factory and your without a machine for weeks maybe months ??? all the quality controls in the world will not prevent failures.

Power Trac machines are factory direct. There are NO dealers. To get it repaired, you either do it yourself, pay a local shop to do it, or send it or the damaged parts back to Power Trac and they'll either repair the parts or ship you new if it isn't cost effective to repair.

 

[fried1765]

My honest feeling is...and I know people will fly to Maine and slit my throat for saying this, but...if anyone is going to even dream of a 100 year tractor, they probably should be thinking one that is nuclear powered or driven by electric batteries.

I was thinking of this post last night and got out my yesteryear tractor books, and in 1918 they were still converting from Steam Engines to Gasoline. Diesel was still on the horizon. Heck the Great Northern paper Company was still using horses in the woods in 1966!

No one can predict the future, but since all we have is the past, based upon that, a far better engine will be here soon that is not reliant upon oil that reached peak supply.

I am not trying to let my dog pee on your picnic blanket, but reaching out 100 years seems pretty arrogant to me. The builders of these old tractors never did that, they just happened to hit upon a really good design, but like the Ford 900 and 8N...one of the most successful and useful tractors in my opinion...they did so because the 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 were failures. They never tried to design a perfect 100 year tractor, they just stumbled into building one.

I've been through Belfast a number of times........and I'm commin to git ya!

 

[woodlandfarms]

I wonder if there is an electric version of a tractor that makes sense. 4 high torque wheel motors and just a ton of battery. I would think there would be a huge market for something like this if you could hold the price point under 20K. The way I see it is that the assuming you got a tesla sized battery you could probably get a minimum of 5 hours of work at least. Wether you use a hyrdualic pump to work implements or make your own electric would be something to explore. but yeah, I would consider an electric tractor for sure.

 

[4570Man]

I have no idea what you are referring to. :confused3:

The destruction caused by the tacked CTL.