Age old question; which tractor for steep hills

[Komrade]

Most come with ROPS these days.

 

[jeff9366]

I would never use U-ship. The people that are hauling on there can not be hauling legal. The money that they charge to move things does not cover the cost of fuel and insurance. Would you handover $20,000 cash to a perfect stranger. That is what you are doing if you hire an unauthorized hauler. What will happen if they have an accident and total your brand new tractor? Regular every day insurance will not cover the cargo if damaged in an accident. What happens if you hire a U-Shipper and he sells your new tractor in the middle of nowhere? He can easily forge or fake his way onto U-Ship. These people are avoiding the government regulations that are a pain to deal with but are in place to try to keep the roads safe and keep your things that you are shipping safe. And yes I know that the government is not great at this but it is the best system there is in place.

I have used u-Ship several times with complete satisfaction.

 

[Gee Ray]

Next time you use U-ship ask for a Certificate of Insurance and MC or DOT numbers. If they do not produce one of these is no insurance on you shipment. If you do not value your shipment then go for it. If you move something for, example a tractor, and it falls off the trailer and kills or harms some one who do you think they are going to come after for compensation? With an illegal hauler I bet they would look at the owner of the tractor. A truck crossing state lines "For Hire" without a MC number is breaking the law. A heavy truck hauling intrastate without a state DOT number is breaking the law. Having done something that is illegal does not make it right. These people are running under the radar just like an unlicensed contractor repairing your home. Can you save some money? Perhaps, but what do you do when things go wrong?

One more thing, they can and do impound trucks for not having the correct paperwork. They do not unload them first either. Just food for thought.

 

[jeff9366]

When I was a young man entering business in the 1970s I had to telephone New York from Washington, D.C. occasionally. The cost was $0.35 per minute. Now my friends call Switzerland and Argentina via Skype or FaceTime almost gratis.

I like internet innovation, including eBay and u-ship, both third-party auction service sites.

U-ship has offered at least five alternative shipping bids when I have used it, including major names.
The consumer makes the choice. I have usually chosen the least expensive, no brand recognition option. I have been happy although two of my shipments arrived one day past promise. The final leg, from the freight terminal in Ocala, Florida to my home, was by relatively local truckers who know my area.

 

[machinerycircle]

A better option would be to go for the AC

 

[woolyAcres]

@RunningSpring- I've got an AC TTR4400. It's great machine, extremely stable, though I'm not sure I have used it on anything as steep as what you've got.

I'd be very cautious of a loader in that kind of terrain. The center-of-gravity moves around (vertically) as you operate a loader and you could easily get yourself into a bad spot on a tractor that is otherwise very comfortable on those steep slopes. I can't really see tipping this machine (sans loader) without being on a serious side slope and then having one of the wheels fall into a hole. Even then you'd really have to be tipped for it to roll.


My tractor is a 2008 (I believe). Although some folks can/do mount loaders on these, I wouldn't recommend it. I've thought about (and even started the process) of trying to get my grapple to attach to the 3PT via a 3PT->Quick Attach plate. Same for a material bucket for moving gravel/mulch/etc. The problem I ran into is that there isn't enough throw in the 3PT arms to get the grapple/bucket onto the ground as well as up in the air. Total change in height of my lift arms are about from 4" off the ground to probably 20" off the ground. That part would actually be workable, but what I haven't figured out is how to increase the 'roll-back'. I have an hydraulic top-link but I think it needs both more extension AND more contraction. I can't roll the grapple far enough forward to grab stuff off the ground and when I roll it back, things aren't tipped back as far as I'd like.

In addition, attaching anything to this adapter plate is difficult because the 3PT arms won't drop low enough. Other than buying the plate I haven't put much effort into it. I suppose with help from folks here an suitable solution could be devised. But even if/when that happens, there still going to be very little lifting with this arrangement. It would be fine for moving mulch or gravel but pretty frustrating if trying to pile something (like a big brush pile).

In my particular case the AC is nice because it's our only HST machine and isn't intimidating to wife or teenage helpers. Not sure that would matter in your case.

In my opinion this machine would loose more than half its value if it were not reversible. That's a HUGE plus. One downside to the stability is it does sit pretty low to the ground. It still travels well, even over rough terrain thanks to the articulation but I've gotten it high-sided in a snow bank before.

Anyway if you've got specific questions let me know.

 

[ptsg]

@RunningSpring- I've got an AC TTR4400. It's great machine, extremely stable, though I'm not sure I have used it on anything as steep as what you've got.

I'd be very cautious of a loader in that kind of terrain. The center-of-gravity moves around (vertically) as you operate a loader and you could easily get yourself into a bad spot on a tractor that is otherwise very comfortable on those steep slopes. I can't really see tipping this machine (sans loader) without being on a serious side slope and then having one of the wheels fall into a hole. Even then you'd really have to be tipped for it to roll.


My tractor is a 2008 (I believe). Although some folks can/do mount loaders on these, I wouldn't recommend it. I've thought about (and even started the process) of trying to get my grapple to attach to the 3PT via a 3PT->Quick Attach plate. Same for a material bucket for moving gravel/mulch/etc. The problem I ran into is that there isn't enough throw in the 3PT arms to get the grapple/bucket onto the ground as well as up in the air. Total change in height of my lift arms are about from 4" off the ground to probably 20" off the ground. That part would actually be workable, but what I haven't figured out is how to increase the 'roll-back'. I have an hydraulic top-link but I think it needs both more extension AND more contraction. I can't roll the grapple far enough forward to grab stuff off the ground and when I roll it back, things aren't tipped back as far as I'd like.

In addition, attaching anything to this adapter plate is difficult because the 3PT arms won't drop low enough. Other than buying the plate I haven't put much effort into it. I suppose with help from folks here an suitable solution could be devised. But even if/when that happens, there still going to be very little lifting with this arrangement. It would be fine for moving mulch or gravel but pretty frustrating if trying to pile something (like a big brush pile).

In my particular case the AC is nice because it's our only HST machine and isn't intimidating to wife or teenage helpers. Not sure that would matter in your case.

In my opinion this machine would loose more than half its value if it were not reversible. That's a HUGE plus. One downside to the stability is it does sit pretty low to the ground. It still travels well, even over rough terrain thanks to the articulation but I've gotten it high-sided in a snow bank before.

Anyway if you've got specific questions let me know.

Here is very common to use rear loaders made for the 3 pt hitch. Might be a good solution for you. It's cheaper than a front loader and it's still very useful.

It's a good solution for articulated tractors like Antonio Carraro, BCS, Pasquali and a some others. Specially with reversible driver platform.

These are often made for loading manure onto trailers, that why you see the spikes on the picture, but it can be easily changed to a grapple or something. Some will also have extendable boom.

 

[woolyAcres]

Those are very clever. I've not seen those here before. Might be a good option for the OP. I'm fortunate enough to have 2 other tractors with loaders on them so I haven't had a real impetus to 'solve' this but something like that clearly would.

 

[RunningSpring]

Wooly Acres,

Thank you very much for your post. Has the machine been dependable for you? I would be a good distance from a dealership so I will probable be doing most of the maintenance myself. Has it given you any major issues? I was looking at the TN Major as an option, which is non-reversible; It sounds like the reversible operating station has been a boon?

PTSG,

Could you point me to a website so I could look at those rear end loaders?

Thanks again

D

 

[ptsg]

Wooly Acres,

Thank you very much for your post. Has the machine been dependable for you? I would be a good distance from a dealership so I will probable be doing most of the maintenance myself. Has it given you any major issues? I was looking at the TN Major as an option, which is non-reversible; It sounds like the reversible operating station has been a boon?

PTSG,

Could you point me to a website so I could look at those rear end loaders?

Thanks again

D

I can give you a couple websites but it will only be Portuguese websites. I'm afraid that there aren't any companies doing this type of loader in the US or Canada, so it would need to be fabricated.

https://agroramoa.pt/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Carregador-Traseiro-Agricola.pdf

Agriduarte

These two are two of the best brands here when it takes to implements and loaders.

I'll give you some specs for those rear loaders. Both have telescopic arm with 3 positions.

Max lift/height: Position 1 - 1800 lbs @ 100"
Position 2 - 1600 lbs @ 112"
Position 3 - 1488 lbs @ 124"

You can also get buckets, spikes for manure or bales, grapple, forks and a hook to use it as a crane. Since it's a single arm design vs the two arm on a front loader, the attachments are usually narrower (40" wide) than what you are used to.

The price here, goes from 900€ (1000$) to 1100€ (1220$). The cheaper won't come with its own valve, so you would need 2 sets of remotes, one for lift and another for curl. The expensive one comes with a 2 element valve.