Heaviest 55h.p tractor

frank_f15 · May 27, 2005

( I still am missing the point of interest in the "heaviest 55 hp tractor"
)
YOU ARE NOT ALONE; was wondering why the interest in the heavy weights?

Dargo · May 27, 2005

My tractor is well over 6500 with the loader and bush hog. For 95% of what I do, any additional weight would give me a pig in a poke. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif That is why I haven't considered loading the tires or adding any additional weight. Also, having used higher hp tractors that do weigh more, I'd have to say that you would be severely underpowered if you had a lot more weight. So what if you can move 15,000 pounds at 1 mph. When disking and plowing you need some pretty good speed to get the job done right. Both gear drive and hydro tractors in the 50 to 55 hp range will flat run out of oomph of you load them up to over 10,000 pounds. I'd say that 65 hp would be marginal for most work with that much weight. For that weight, I prefer using tractors that have over 90 hp.

In the swampy areas, heavy weight will result in basically a giant anchor. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif With no hard bottom, the more weight, the more you sink. Have you ever seen a dozer with "swamper tracks"? I had one. They are really wide; like 20" or so. That is to spread out the weight so you don't end up with a giant anchor as well. Also, the largest tractors around here use triples on each corner. The whole idea is to prevent the weight from compacting the soil and from sinking and getting stuck in the spring and fall.

I couldn't imagine using a heavy 2 wheel drive tractor's loader in anything but the most solid of soil. We have a lot of mud where I live. A local sportsman's club has a 2wd tractor with a loader. If they want to use the loader anytime but in the summer, they have to bring another tractor or a 4x4 truck along to help it back up once the bucket is full. It's really heavy built and probably only has around 30 hp. After having it a few years, they don't even bother to get it out if the ground is soft at all. And, it even has ag tires. My tractor is 4X4 and weighs almost too much as far as I'm concerned and it is under 7000 pounds. I have to agree; unless you have a specific task, I see the additional weight more as a detriment than an advantage. If I need more weight, I can easily add it. I just don't need it.

RedDog · May 27, 2005

Gmol,

I don't have a clue as to what is the heaviest. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I'm just amazed at the responses you have recieved about this. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

People trying to tell you the do's and don'ts of weight when I'm sure you know all about that. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

It looks like nobody knows for sure.

RedDog

gmol · May 28, 2005

Sure am glad this is not my phone line or I would have cauliflower ear. I am interested in weight as a lot of my work is in the woods cleaning up and skidding logs, weight is your friend. The DK 55 is o.k for this but was interested in what the options are without getting into job specific tools i.e skidders etc. I am also looking into forwarding trailers that are becoming more and more popular. Seems once again if you are pulling 10,000lbs. you want some weight on your side,

Cactus · May 28, 2005

If you are skidding logs.....you need weight...and HP..

tjkadar · May 28, 2005

Weight can be your friend. Just make sure it matches the amount of horsepower available.

Dargo · May 28, 2005

( Weight can be your friend. Just make sure it matches the amount of horsepower available. )

I say that every time I step on my scales. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Dargo · May 28, 2005

( I am interested in weight as a lot of my work is in the woods cleaning up and skidding logs, )

I had to post this eBay link for a skidder. It is one of the best laid out auctions I've seen. It has a video of a skidder that pops up on the auction. It is of a JD skidder in action. This model skidder is identical to one I got to use a few times. I think it is sort of the ultimate off road machine. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Check it out here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11766&item=7519208484&rd=1

fish_wisperer · May 28, 2005

when i was shopping for my tractor weight was and still is a big deal to me so i looked at that on all the different brands. heavy duty case and 00 series mahindra were the winners.

Cabinholler · May 29, 2005

gmol

I own a 55 PTO horsepower 4341.1 Zetor tractor with 4X4, with cab, and with loader. The tractor weights 7,520 pounds, and the loader weights 2,100 pounds. With fluid in both of the rear tires, you can gain another 1,000 pounds to this tractor. The total of this tractor with loader, and fluid in the rear tires would be 10,620 pounds. There aren't to many other brand tractors this size will weigh as much as this tractor.

I don't know if you like a heavy, or light tractor. Some people on this post say they like a light weight tractor. For my farm use, I like a heavy tractor. If you want a light tractor, a Kubota might be the tractor you would want. When I was shopping for a new tractor, it seemed like the Kubota tractors were the lightest horsepower tractors that I looked at. Although, there could be other brand of tractors per horsepower lighter than a Kubota tractor.

Cabinholler

The water will never clear up until you get the hogs out of the pond. (You got to find what the trouble is, and eliminate it).