Confused about Supersteer

[Maurice]

All,

I have really confused myself. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I have been trying to make sense of the NH doc on the SS. I have been looking at the TC40D and was debating on the SS. The specs state a turning radius of 110" w/o SS and 106" with SS. That sounds to me like I can only turn a 4 inch smaller circle radius.

Then immediately following states a turn around diameter of 127" w/o and 83 with SS. Now it has cut 44 inches out /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Can some one put it in laymans terms that my simple mind can understand. I know what the radius and diameter are, but I guess what I am after is .... how tight of a circle can I make. For example, circling around a tree.

If I measured the diameter of the inside circle made by the inside tires, what size will it be?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Maurice,
This is a question that is definatly going to have to be answered by the TBNr's with super steer.
I am not doing any mowing, in fact, I don't even own a mower of any type for my tractor. But I do know that my TC35D turns one heck of a tight circle even without SS.

 

[thcri]

Maurice,

I have a TC29D with super-steer. I have never looked in the data to actually see what it says about turning radius, but I can tell yor the back inside tire pretty much stops when you turn the steering wheel tight. You won't find a tractor that can turn as sharp as it.

I like my super-steer for mowing and plowing snow with my FEL I can get in tight corners with it. As far as normal FEL work, brush hoggin, tilling you don't need it. In fact with heavy loads on the loader and having the front axle in the tight position I would tend to think you could tip the tractor easier. If I had to buy again, I would take the super-steer.

But you have to decide what you are going to use the tractor most for and if the $1,000 to $1,500 is worth it.

Murph

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">…the back inside tire pretty much stops when you turn the steering wheel tight…</font>

If the one back tire basically stops in SS mode… wouldn’t this greatly hinder snow plowing operation with lack of traction…?

 

[TCowner]

Maurice, I've posted several times about the supersteer. I have it on my TC40D. My experience may be different from other members but let me offer my opinon here. Without the loader attached (17LA) I love the way the tractor steers and turns. Supersteer also gives you the feature of disconnecting the front wheel drive when you make a sharp turn. You can lock the front wheel assist full time if you want but the disconnect feature allows the tightest turn in the industry with a pretty gentle touch on your turf. I work around hundreds of trees on my property and the ability to move in an around in tight circles is nice. However, with the front end loader attached my love for Supersteer drops just a bit. The loaders for the Class III supersteer tractors (TC35D,TC40 and TC45D) require the longer loader. I beleive it is around 10 inches longer than the one for tractors without supersteer. The loader sticks out in front of the tractor quite a distance. The supersteer design has the quirk of the front of the tractor (or loader) actually moving in the opposite direction of the direction you turn the steering wheel at first. This can create a problem if you are tight quarters with the loader. I was moving some crushed rock for a neighbor around his deck and had about 8 inches of clearance between the posts and the side of the loader bucket. Normally this would not be problem. You simply approach in a straight line, making a few steering adjustments as needed, and dump the rock. WIth supersteer as I approached the opening between the posts I tried to make a slight adjustment by turing the steering wheel to the left and the front of the loader actually moves to the right in the opposite direction I wanted. I was able to stop before I hit the posts. Getting out of the jam requires to completely rethink the way you steer. After some practice you learn to adapt but the problem does not completely go away. Every couple of months or so I find myself in tight quarters cursing the supersteer. But after I get out I seem to get over it. The bottom line is that pros of the supersteer outweigh the cons in my opinion. But I think anyone contemplating the supersteer option needs to try it out on your property for an hour with a loader. In the end I think most will like the feature and decide its work the $1000 or so. But if you do a lot of loader work where you work in tight quarters where precision work is required you may rethink the idea. New Holland's regular axle gives a very nice turning radius.

 

[grainger12002]

I have to agree with MarkNH,the TC does turn real tight w\o the ss option, I did try it at the dealer but was not what I wnated. The TC turns tighter than any tractor we have had and is very nice to work with in close quarters. Good luck,hope this helps-Lloyd /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I think not sure why nothing scientific about my thougths.. just thoughts I guess that using the FEL with my SS actually allows me to turnin to position more so that the posibility of getting off tilt is lessen.

 

[kensfarm]

Maurice.. I have the TC35D w/ SS.. and I'd have to agree w/ Terry.. w/ the FEL.. it takes some getting use to the fact the bucket moves to the right.. when your turn the steering to the left. Besides the tight turning capabilities.. I've found uses for this "pivot" effect.. w/out moving the tractor.. I can turn the steering wheel to move the bucket 6 inches to the left or to the right.. and it does the same for a post hole digger.. it's not the purpose of the SS.. but it saves me some time from not having to backup/pullforward to re-align implements. The SS has gotten me in/out of some tight spots.. in the barn.. in the woods.. I'm glad I have it.

 

[Maurice]

Many thanks to all who responded.

Here's a little more background. I have a Case/IH dealer about 10 miles away and a NH dealer about 50 miles away. I have test drove both, however that was last year. I test drove the 35 version of both. But no SS /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif The NH guy had just sold his last one.

I'm getting rid of an IH 856 with a loader, which is way under utilized. I'm trying to keep the power and lift capacity up while using the tractor for more things around the place.

I do have a few more questions now.

What makes the loader initially move in a different direction. Does the front axle start to do its thing even with small changes in the steering?

Do any of the 35-45 range folks finish mow with their tractor and if so MMM or RFM? Never used an RFM so naturally leaning toward the MMM.

Do dealers let you test out new equipment, tractor and mowers included? I've only bought used in the past. They have had no problem testing used.

 

[djradz]

Maurice, I finish mow with my 40D with a Woods 6 ft. RFM and no SS. I've always been very pleased with this setup but think with a MMM I might be able to do an even finer job and get a little closer to trees. However, with this big of a rig, I'm not sure I want to get that much closer. If given a choice, I've been so happy with the RFM that I don't know if I'd venture into the untried (for me) area of a MMM.