Compact Tractor Advice

neilly2 · Jun 10, 2004

Bob Skurka,

I believe the Power Trac is an articulated machine. If I am wrong ignore the following.

I disagree that this would be safer on hilly terrain. On the contrary I believe that in tight maneuvering situations this could be more dangerous. If turning towards the uphill when the machine is oriented across the slope, the center of gravity moves further downhill while the downslope tires move towards the uphill aggravating the possiblity of turnover.

Articulated machines are, in fact, more maneuverable, so it would boil down to just how hilly it is.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 10, 2004

Yes the PT machines are articulated. In fact so are the Ventrac and Steiner tractors.

Ventracs and Steiners are known as some of the best slope tractors in the world. They have special weight transfer systems to increase traction on slopes. Some of the PT units also have weight transfer systems to move the implement weight back onto the front wheels and are rated for slopes.

I can tell you from personal experience that my Cub Cadet was very unstable on my slopes and was only able to go up & down my slopes, but my Ventrac can do "figure 8s" and "u-turns" in places that would flip the Cub Cadet. And the worst slope I have is a compound slope and there is no place on that slope that I would ever take my B2910 or my TC24D, but the Ventrac runs across it, up & down it and all over it.

The best traction machines seem to have both articulating and occilating frames which allow all 4 wheels to be on the ground even in rough terrain, combined with weight transfer systems that carry much of the implement's weight on the front wheels, several models of Ventrac, Steiner & Power Trac combine those features.

neilly2 · Jun 11, 2004

I'm quite interested in the weight correction features. I'm glad to hear this as I intend to investigate articulated machines someday when I buy new. Of course my property is dead flat, so no big issue here.

How is the weight adjusted?

Is the frame oscillation you refer to similar to the all terrain forklifts(lulls) where the cab levels off? Or is it more similar to an independent suspension that keeps 4 wheels on the ground?

Do you have any ability to post a picture of your Ventrac in action? I'd sure like to see something besides the Power Trac website pictures.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 11, 2004

Take a look at this thread, it shows a bunch of pictures my little Ventrac 3000. You might also want to search for JackIL, he posted some pictures of his Ventrac 4200.

Link to Ventrac 3000 thread

Steiner and Ventrac make normal looking tractors capable of using a FEL that are articulated, and Ventrac make the model I purchased which is much more like a serious garden tractor than a CUT, it is an amazing mowing machine that is typically used by golf courses, municiple parks, etc and not very commonly used by homeowners due to the high cost of the units. The 3000 is well suited to mowing, blowing snow, sweeping parking lots, but not well suited to actual tractoring tasks. The model 3000 is NOT suited to the uses of the original poster for this thread, but the model 4200 would fit the tasks very well.

neilly2 · Jun 11, 2004

I didn't realize it was so low to the ground, that's probably the biggest advantage right there.

I've been looking at the 4200 on the web. For the work the poster described I'd be a little weary of the clearance and tire size.

Maybe we can agree on recommending him a wide-track loader from Caterpillar.