My dream tractor: is there such a thing?

[Rustyiron]

1) Not exactly a tractor really, but basically an articulated loader, for tight quarters maneuvering without tearing up the ground.
2) SSQA loader to accept my existing attachments
3) front hydraulics with enough flow to run a 5 ft., front mounted bush hog
4) 4WD with big tires all around
5) 40 to 50ish HP
6) maybe a heated cab but low profile for mowing around trees. (Or easily removeable in nice weather.)

Is there such a thing?

You pretty much described the Bobcat "A" series skid steer. The A stands for all wheel steer. It can operate as a SS as well. All Wheel Steer Loaders Overview - Bobcat Company

 

[vtsnowedin]

My dream tractor is a nice new cab tractor without a big fat payment book attached.
But what the OP describes sounds a lot more like a small articulating skidder then a tractor. There is no reason they can't deliver both PTO power and full hydraulic flow to both ends of a articulating machine.
Why are we spending so much time imitating owls trying to watch both the tool behind us and steer down the row in front of us.

 

[bcp]

Mules pulled implements. Tractors replaced mules, pulling the same implements. Tractors improved, implements improved, hitches improved, but the idea of pulling an implement didn't change.

Until skid steers became common. More and more implements are being made for them, to fit on the front. Now people with tractors want the visibility, too.

Bruce

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Sounds like a bi-directional tractor will do what you want to do...

SR

 

[tduby]

the new Holland bi-directional tractors are awesome just wish someone made something a little smaller/cheaper. I think skid steers track loaders are a better fit for what a lot of people want but lets be honest they are not the most roomiest easy things to get into.

 

[vtsnowedin]

If your out in the big dirt of the great plains then you want the tools and the dust they stir up behind you but for a lot of things where you both need to see whats being done plus see where your driving to, having the tools in front of you would be an advantage. Horses and mules wouldn't work very well trying to push a machine but there is no reason why modern tractors can't have engines behind and tools in the front. Not every tractor of course, a log drawn behind has to be behind etc. But I'm surprised that more units don't work reversed from their present configuration.

 

[jeff9366]

The Three Point Hitch is standard all over the world. It transfers implement weight to the rear wheels for traction through the Lower Links and to the front wheels for traction when the Top Link is in compression. The large rear wheels are for mechanical advantage. PTO is part of standard Three Point Hitch configuration. Mechanical transfer of power is efficient and cheap. Thus far, from 1940 to 2015, no one has been able to improve on the basic design of the Three Point Hitch. Instead it has become a world standard.

Engine behind and tools in front is a skid steer. Hydrualic power transfer is much more expensive per unit of work.
Traction is limited in ground engagement tasks.

Harry Ferguson, an Anglo-Irishman, invented and patented the Three Point Hitch between WW1 and WW2.

 

[vtsnowedin]

The Three Point Hitch is standard all over the world. It transfers implement weight to the rear wheels for traction through the Lower Links and to the front wheels for traction when the Top Link is in compression. The large rear wheels are for mechanical advantage. PTO is part of standard Three Point Hitch configuration. Mechanical transfer of power is efficient and cheap. Thus far, from 1940 to 2015, no one has been able to improve on the basic design of the Three Point Hitch. Instead it has become a world standard.

Engine behind and tools in front is a skid steer. Hydrualic power transfer is much more expensive per unit of work.
Traction is limited in ground engagement tasks.

Harry Ferguson, an Anglo-Irishman, invented and patented the Three Point Hitch between WW1 and WW2.

You can have PTOs in the front just as well as not. I'm sure some old salt said much the same thing about sailing ships as they watched a new steamship sail past them against the wind.

 

[jeff9366]

The problem is keeping PTO power transfer and equipment aligned when pushing. Only modest mechanical power transfers are possible pushing, then hydraulic power transfer is required.

When pulling everything self-aligns.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You can buy bigger tractors with a front 3 point and pto's and have been able to, for a LONG time in Europe... There are some smaller articulated tractors made with front pto and 3 points too...

SR