At what point does a tractor become a tractor?

Soundguy · Feb 21, 2005

( Tractors" are traditionally diesel powered. Most lawn tractors are gasoline powered. I can't think of a "real" tractor that is gasoline powered )

That one was obviously typed with out any research.

1, At least very recently, cub-cadet had a gas powered CUT/SCUT. The model number escapes me.. but if pressed.. I'll dig it up.

As for 'traditionally' diesel powered. I think you need to hit a history book. Look up kerosene, distalate, TVO, and petrol / gasolene. Start reasearching from the late 1800's. I think you will find that tractors are overwhelmingly 'gas' powered.

Diesel has only taken over predoninately in the latter half or quarter of the 1900's. In the 50's.. still mostly gas tractors. Gas tractors had a good following into the midtolate 70's where diesel became pretty much the rule, and gas was the odd exception.

Soundguy

Soundguy · Feb 21, 2005

( think its to do with what it looks like,
the engine out front )

Not a tractor right? Engines in back.. Allis chalmers G.. 1949

Also not a tractor? ( Big tires in front.. and articulates in the middle.. ).. Ford County 6.

I think the concept of 'traction engine' came closest. As thru history there were many 'tractors'.. even 2 wheeled tractors...

For today.. probably the best defining point I can think of is whatever ASAE says has to have a rops/fops.

As I've seen a big hybred snapper 'tractor' that has a gas engine, and cat 0 3pt hitch. but no rear pto. however it had a mid pto and mower deck... No rops.. so i guess it was getting by as a MONDO riding mower.. with delusions of being a tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif?

Soundguy

texastomtom · Feb 21, 2005

I have a john deere yard sprinker...

The back wheels are bigger than the front

It has a draw bar - well ok hose connector that it draws the hose behind itself with.

It is geared very low for pulling.

It has neutral / low / high gears

Has a water powered 'engine'

It does have a seat - and it isn't bigger than the tractor. Although you wont catch me sittin on it...

It has ribbed tires / r1 style,, I wonder if they are loaded ????

Just like my JD4720,,,, you must be carefull to keep it from tipping over..... ( yea a sprinkler can do that also )
I should put a ROPS on it.....

Last but not least,,, it must be a real tractor since it says john deere on it....

tom

normde2001 · Feb 21, 2005

Actually, I agree with Henro that there is no answer. If a 2-wheel Gravely can be called a tractor, why can't a no-wheel Ryobi line trimmer with a tiller attachment also be called a tractor?

Egon · Feb 21, 2005

Think it's sorta a perspective thing. Sorta like how short is short or how tall is tall! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

Soundguy · Feb 21, 2005

Them 2 wheeled tractors are neat. However.. i think the wheel would be the defining issue between that and the line trimmer-come-tiller. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I say a cart that a guy welded up, and hooked up to a 2 wheeled tractor.. added a seat.. and it became an articulating powered wheel barrow you could ride. If I ever get a 2 wheel job.. I'm gone make one of those I think..

Soundguy

hitekcountry · Feb 21, 2005

When a fence get in it's way and it can take out the fence, IT's a TRACTOR!!

Works for me! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Soundguy · Feb 22, 2005

So.. If I'm mowing and I take a corner, and the leading edge of my mower hits a 3.5" 20' tall tree.. and knocks it over.. and I don't know till I look back and see the tree on it's side.. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.. then I guess I got a tractor right? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Um.. don't ask me how I found that out... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Soundguy

johndeere2210 · Feb 24, 2005

Good evening guys. I was just reading another thread and noticed that poster was going to buy an LT155 and another poster congratulated him on his new tractor purchase. Interesting. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

twinstackram · Feb 25, 2005

it's funny this being FFA week me and my son went to grandpa's and hauled a super C farmall home for him to drive to school,I said we should have grabbed the 2 seat farmall B,he said he wanted to drive the "bigger" super C because the guys driving the big 4x4 tractors will make fun of him. So I told him to ask the guys WHEN DOES A TRACTOR BECOME A TRACTOR? He just gave me that teenage confused look,and I just smiled,because he knew what his answer was.