Egon
Epic Contributor
The Degree of slope can be found by taking the rise/run and looking it up in your tangent tables.
Egon
Egon
Best Mountain Tractor?
- Thread starter wasabi
- Start date
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Charlie_Iliff
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2001
- Messages
- 1,890
- Location
- Arnold, MD
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT1845, John Deere 2240, John Deere 950, John Deere 755, Jacobsen Turf Cat II
Bill:
Although I've seen a video of the Power Trac on what looks like about a 45 degree slope, if you ever see anything working on that kind of grade, you can be quite sure that I will not be the operator. I don't even like a flight of steps that steep.
Although I've seen a video of the Power Trac on what looks like about a 45 degree slope, if you ever see anything working on that kind of grade, you can be quite sure that I will not be the operator. I don't even like a flight of steps that steep.
Kent
Bronze Member
Other brands of off-road tractors
I bought a NH TC-40, but it is only suited for the "flat" parts of my property. And when there is a rut or a rock to traverse in the woods, "flat" is pretty scary on a traditional agricultural-type tractor.
I looked at Ventrac, Steiner (my neighbor has one), and Power-trac, but they all had non-standard attachments and didn't seem to have great FELs. I needed a serious machine to move some dirt and pull some big logs around.
What I REALLY wanted was a true off-road tractor, for example: Antonio Carraro TTR 4400 HST (http://www.holdertractor.com/c870h/main-c870h.html), or even a wisconsin engineering W-5000 (<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wisconsineng.com>http://www.wisconsineng.com</A>), but there are no dealers anywhere close. And in the case of the first two, the cost was in another league than compact tractors from JD/NH/Kubota.
So for now, I'll be patient with the NH and someday move to the flat land!
I bought a NH TC-40, but it is only suited for the "flat" parts of my property. And when there is a rut or a rock to traverse in the woods, "flat" is pretty scary on a traditional agricultural-type tractor.
I looked at Ventrac, Steiner (my neighbor has one), and Power-trac, but they all had non-standard attachments and didn't seem to have great FELs. I needed a serious machine to move some dirt and pull some big logs around.
What I REALLY wanted was a true off-road tractor, for example: Antonio Carraro TTR 4400 HST (http://www.holdertractor.com/c870h/main-c870h.html), or even a wisconsin engineering W-5000 (<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wisconsineng.com>http://www.wisconsineng.com</A>), but there are no dealers anywhere close. And in the case of the first two, the cost was in another league than compact tractors from JD/NH/Kubota.
So for now, I'll be patient with the NH and someday move to the flat land!
Charlie_Iliff
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2001
- Messages
- 1,890
- Location
- Arnold, MD
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT1845, John Deere 2240, John Deere 950, John Deere 755, Jacobsen Turf Cat II
Re: Other brands of off-road tractors
Kent:
Power Trac certainly has non-standard attachments, but pretty capable FEL. My 1845 can dig and move a considerable amount, but, of course, is a wimp compared to Mark Chalkley's EarthForce.
A couple of recommended additions to your dream list would be EF http://www.aebi.com/aktuell/english/index.htm
For enough money, there are some truly wonderful machines available.
Kent:
Power Trac certainly has non-standard attachments, but pretty capable FEL. My 1845 can dig and move a considerable amount, but, of course, is a wimp compared to Mark Chalkley's EarthForce.
A couple of recommended additions to your dream list would be EF http://www.aebi.com/aktuell/english/index.htm
For enough money, there are some truly wonderful machines available.
OP
wasabi
Platinum Member
Charlie, etal
I'm impressed with so much advice and most impressed that the seasoned operators with the most hours and the best gear are the ones to throw their shoulders to the wheel with my researching. Thanks to ALL...I really appreciate this!!!
I notice both you and MossRoad have and love the PT's and have also noticed you guys and MChakley spent major considerable time and effort on buying decisions. You all clearly have also developed cliques of sorts among TBNers and I sense more than a little lobbying for support...ah, politics....tis in all areas of life, neh?
While I would love to buy new gear, on some level some justification to the costs kicks in....perhaps that is simply the quandry of a newbie...maybe I'll get over it as addiction to this tractoring thing really kicks in. If that is to occur, it can only happen if I stay safe....I am old enough to be over the need for thrills of going up on two wheels and desirous of sticking around long enough to work for and realize our dreams.
The SC dealer for MChakley's brand (White?) is just a 1/2 mile off 26 in Columbia, which we travel to go to our property (the Bearpen), so I'll drop in to see those. I may also take the hike up to VA to check out the PT. I like your suggestions and approach and will most certainly follow up with local dealers and look into the customization issues.
With spring time and building focus, a very real force at work here is the sense of urgency...I've got the itch bigtime...which I am trying to mitigate by subbing out some clearing...but, watching isn't half the fun of doing, even tho there is satisfaction in making progress. There certainly is jusification is getting the heavy lifting out of the way so I can move on to dirt prep, pasture seeding, mowing, etc tho. I'm also going to take a serious look at renting so I can get some needed experience and get some work done in the process. That will either take the heat off or perhaps increase it.
It's easier for you guys that already have toy(s), oops, I mean Tools!...you can just appease the drools with seat time.
All that said, I vow to take enough time to make a good decision...and like motorcycles, not buy too small and end up losing out when trading up. Now, if I could just find the ideal package, on a dual wheel trailer, with elec brakes, within a couple of hours drive, for less than 15K....then the sawmill, and then.....
Where's my hankerchief when I need it to wipe up this persistent drool.....
I'm impressed with so much advice and most impressed that the seasoned operators with the most hours and the best gear are the ones to throw their shoulders to the wheel with my researching. Thanks to ALL...I really appreciate this!!!
I notice both you and MossRoad have and love the PT's and have also noticed you guys and MChakley spent major considerable time and effort on buying decisions. You all clearly have also developed cliques of sorts among TBNers and I sense more than a little lobbying for support...ah, politics....tis in all areas of life, neh?
While I would love to buy new gear, on some level some justification to the costs kicks in....perhaps that is simply the quandry of a newbie...maybe I'll get over it as addiction to this tractoring thing really kicks in. If that is to occur, it can only happen if I stay safe....I am old enough to be over the need for thrills of going up on two wheels and desirous of sticking around long enough to work for and realize our dreams.
The SC dealer for MChakley's brand (White?) is just a 1/2 mile off 26 in Columbia, which we travel to go to our property (the Bearpen), so I'll drop in to see those. I may also take the hike up to VA to check out the PT. I like your suggestions and approach and will most certainly follow up with local dealers and look into the customization issues.
With spring time and building focus, a very real force at work here is the sense of urgency...I've got the itch bigtime...which I am trying to mitigate by subbing out some clearing...but, watching isn't half the fun of doing, even tho there is satisfaction in making progress. There certainly is jusification is getting the heavy lifting out of the way so I can move on to dirt prep, pasture seeding, mowing, etc tho. I'm also going to take a serious look at renting so I can get some needed experience and get some work done in the process. That will either take the heat off or perhaps increase it.
It's easier for you guys that already have toy(s), oops, I mean Tools!...you can just appease the drools with seat time.
All that said, I vow to take enough time to make a good decision...and like motorcycles, not buy too small and end up losing out when trading up. Now, if I could just find the ideal package, on a dual wheel trailer, with elec brakes, within a couple of hours drive, for less than 15K....then the sawmill, and then.....
Where's my hankerchief when I need it to wipe up this persistent drool.....
Kent
Bronze Member
You really know how to torture a guy ;-)
Thanks for the links...and the testament to the Powertrac 1845 lifting power....which seems comparable to the NH TC-40! Must be that huge hydraulic pump that you have.
I wish they still made Jeeps with 3-point hitches and PTOs! I see Unimog has them as well (as well as a FEL...but now we're talking BIG bucks!)
One other tease....<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cadplans.com/cadtrac.htm>http://www.cadplans.com/cadtrac.htm</A>. If it only had a Power-trac arm and quick attach....
Thanks for the links...and the testament to the Powertrac 1845 lifting power....which seems comparable to the NH TC-40! Must be that huge hydraulic pump that you have.
I wish they still made Jeeps with 3-point hitches and PTOs! I see Unimog has them as well (as well as a FEL...but now we're talking BIG bucks!)
One other tease....<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cadplans.com/cadtrac.htm>http://www.cadplans.com/cadtrac.htm</A>. If it only had a Power-trac arm and quick attach....
Charlie_Iliff
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2001
- Messages
- 1,890
- Location
- Arnold, MD
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT1845, John Deere 2240, John Deere 950, John Deere 755, Jacobsen Turf Cat II
<font color=red>You all clearly have also developed cliques of sorts among TBNers and I sense more than a little lobbying for support...</font color=red>
Us? Cliques? Not a chance. In fact, we are completely united in our quest to help you make your selections. So far, by my calculation we can get you a pretty good starter kit - one from each clique, er group - for only a couple of hundred thou. The trailer may be a bit extra.
What you really need to do is tell Mark Chalkley that his EF isn't up to your jobs. Then, when the Brush Brute, Ammbusher, FEL and hoe are finished, you can go out in a garden tractor and chalk your new clear leveled ground into ball fields and maybe a flat track motorcycle course.
Us? Cliques? Not a chance. In fact, we are completely united in our quest to help you make your selections. So far, by my calculation we can get you a pretty good starter kit - one from each clique, er group - for only a couple of hundred thou. The trailer may be a bit extra.
What you really need to do is tell Mark Chalkley that his EF isn't up to your jobs. Then, when the Brush Brute, Ammbusher, FEL and hoe are finished, you can go out in a garden tractor and chalk your new clear leveled ground into ball fields and maybe a flat track motorcycle course.
OP
wasabi
Platinum Member
If I could afford that kind of freight, I might just as well host a TBN hoedown (pun intended) and have you all drag your gear from hither and yon for display/demonstration...I'd provide the beer, cabernet, roast pig and vittles and get the jobs done proper!!
Bird could be the Master of Ceremony and Byu the Grand Vizier! Then we could sort out these options with side by side comparisons....we could sell tickets!!! Sounds like a hoot, doesn't it?
Bird could be the Master of Ceremony and Byu the Grand Vizier! Then we could sort out these options with side by side comparisons....we could sell tickets!!! Sounds like a hoot, doesn't it?
Kent
Bronze Member
Has anyone installed 4-equally sized wheels?
Intriguing idea...to replace the existing wheels/tires (large rear, small front) with four equal-sized wheels/tires to increase the stability on slopes.
Would lower the ground clearance, but that would be OK. Actually better in my case.
This would seemingly mess with the mind of the 4-wheel drive trying to keep the wheels somewhat turning the same speed.
And of course mess with my warrantee, I am sure!
So, has anyone actually done this (like with a NH TC40D?)? Where did you buy the rims/tires to fit?
On a side note, I think much of the "pucker factor" experienced by everyone has something to do with the fact that we are sitting so high off the ground such that any lift on an axle gives an exaggerated feeling of tractor instability (I'll call it the "lever-effect"). I hit a 6" rock and I think I am going to roll! Oh boy. I see that my neighbor's old Ford has him sitting on the differential between the two rear wheels. I know being high helps with visibility greatly, so I won't complain too loudly! Since getting the tractor (and learning all about instability on slopes), I have noticed that when I drive my 4x4 truck in places where I would go boldly before (with a full load of logs, no less!), that I now feel really uncomfortable going there. Better safe than sorry, I suppose...or maybe I have just become over-sensitized to that feeling of tipping over?
Intriguing idea...to replace the existing wheels/tires (large rear, small front) with four equal-sized wheels/tires to increase the stability on slopes.
Would lower the ground clearance, but that would be OK. Actually better in my case.
This would seemingly mess with the mind of the 4-wheel drive trying to keep the wheels somewhat turning the same speed.
And of course mess with my warrantee, I am sure!
So, has anyone actually done this (like with a NH TC40D?)? Where did you buy the rims/tires to fit?
On a side note, I think much of the "pucker factor" experienced by everyone has something to do with the fact that we are sitting so high off the ground such that any lift on an axle gives an exaggerated feeling of tractor instability (I'll call it the "lever-effect"). I hit a 6" rock and I think I am going to roll! Oh boy. I see that my neighbor's old Ford has him sitting on the differential between the two rear wheels. I know being high helps with visibility greatly, so I won't complain too loudly! Since getting the tractor (and learning all about instability on slopes), I have noticed that when I drive my 4x4 truck in places where I would go boldly before (with a full load of logs, no less!), that I now feel really uncomfortable going there. Better safe than sorry, I suppose...or maybe I have just become over-sensitized to that feeling of tipping over?
n6ckv
Bronze Member
Re: Has anyone installed 4-equally sized wheels?
Kubota (and others) make the tractor you have described. All four tires are the same size, all are the size of the rear tires. They are used for working on the row crops in my area. They are called mudders because that is what they run in
carl
Kubota (and others) make the tractor you have described. All four tires are the same size, all are the size of the rear tires. They are used for working on the row crops in my area. They are called mudders because that is what they run in
carl