Articulating or 4-wheel steering?

[hodge]

You say 60 hp or less range, but it is probably more helpful to know from what hp to what hp that you think you might need. It sounds like your budget isn't big enough for what you want.

 

[flusher]

Hi Guys,

I need a farm tractor with a very sharp turning radius. I don't want to spend $10k or more on a tractor though. So what I am wondering (and haven't found from searching) is if there were ever any tractors produced in the 60hp or less range that either articulated or had 4-wheel steering? I'm thinking if I could find something old to fix up that would be the most economical. I don't need 4WD.

I'd consider taking old tractor parts and building my own. I do have the tools to do it. You could make a tractor with 4 wheel steering using two front-ends from a 4WD tractor -- but then I don't know how a guy would implement a PTO.

Anyone have any ideas?

All (or nearly all) tractors have separate braking on the rear wheels to facilitate tight turns. Tight left turn--stand on the left brake and steer left. Similarly for right turns.

If that's not enough for your needs, I'd find an old track layer like a large Cletrac, like this. You can find these under $10K.

 

[rankrank1]

My 1950 narrow front John Deere A (similar to video) will literally turn in place without even using the brakes (by turn in place I mean the inside tire stays in the same real estate). I like my vintage JD A putt putt for hobby work, but for true farm work then I would want a JD 720 or better yet a JD 730 if you desire a putt putt for true farm work although they will command a price premium at least they willl have modern features like 3-pt, live hydraulics, live PTO, power steering, etc..

If the narrow front option works for you then I would be looking for something like an International 656 or Farmall 706 from the mid-1960's. These will easily cover your tight turning requirements and have modern fetaures. and can be be easily found at less than your budget range. If less hp will do then International and Farmall also made smaller models too with less hp with narrow front.

John Deere 2510 or 2520 with narrow front would be very nice too but will command a price premium. (whatever you do though do not buy a JD 2010).

 

[rankrank1]

Just did a little more searching and it looks like Antonio Carraro already makes tractors like you might be interested in. They are articulated, reversible, outfitable with front and rear mounted 3 point hitches. Really the possibilities are endless for configuarations although doubtful to be in your budget.

Regardless it does not look like any of the articulated tractors will turn as tight as the old narrow front tractors if turnig radius is priority #1. While I could not find any turning specs on the Antonio Carraro's there were some posted on Valtracs, Ventracs, Steiner's, etc which are tiny articulated tractors in comparison to the much bigger Anonio Carraro's and the turning radius's were not what I expected even out of the little tractors. My guess is it only gets worse when bigger but could be wrong.