Sometimes I wonder.......

[MossRoad]

You can稚 run circles around around a decent sized tractor because it痴 too small. Now show up with a big skid steer and the tractors go home crying. My buddy has an articulated loader that痴 about the same strength as my CTL. I like the fact that the wheels don稚 wreak everything, but the visibility off the front of mine is better. The loader is made to be a loader of course it痴 better than a tractor at being a loader. But a 1500 pound power trac just isn稚 going to beat very many tractors.

Of the same weight and size. Sheesh. I would expect you to understand that I'm not comparing a 1500# machine to a 5000# machine.

 

[4570Man]

My buddy’s loader is twice as big as my skid steer to obtain similar loader specs. His loader is worse equipped to go in the woods than my skid steer is.

 

[MossRoad]

Why don't one of the tractor companies offer a good 30 PTO HP tractor that is WELL equipped to work in timber?? Add some armor to protect stuff. They could offer some super grill guard, make certain their are no vulnerable hoses, or hydraulic lines that are unprotected from the timber.....and make certain no wires or lights are unprotected from brush or stray limbs. Puncuture resistant radiator, hydraulic lines,....etc. It would not really cost that much to prepare a tractor like this......but alas....every tractor I look at is ill-equpped for use in food plots or timber. They don't seem to know the market they sell to?.....or simply get by with limited offerings. And nobody really offers a good solution?? Like Kubota does not have a decent grill guard??? Green aint much better....IMO. Baffles me.

To answer your question as to why? Well, we all know why... not enough profit in it for a limited, small market. That's where aftermarket companies can step in and fill a niche. And it's why so many people/commercial operators modify their own equipment.

 

[4570Man]

The power company has some approximate 60hp tractors with a significant amount of armor, foam filled tires, and a bad to the bone bushhog. They’ve also got skid steers with munchers but I’m betting the modified tractors are cheaper to operate.

 

[Industrial Toys]

They just don't give a crap. I could not believe when I was looking to buy a JD 110 years ago. It was (IMO) falsely marketed as some kind of Construction Grade machine. I was horrified to look underneith to see a maze of the most delicate stuff waiting to get hung up on a stump or something. Yes, they offered an optional belly pan, but that's besides the point. Disgusting!

 

[MossRoad]

They just don't give a crap. I could not believe when I was looking to buy a JD 110 years ago. It was (IMO) falsely marketed as some kind of Construction Grade machine. I was horrified to look underneith to see a maze of the most delicate stuff waiting to get hung up on a stump or something. Yes, they offered an optional belly pan, but that's besides the point. Disgusting!

That's a long time ago....

 

[MossRoad]

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[foggy1111]

I just traded my JD 3320 for a Kubota L 3560 HSTC (cab). I have no quarrel with the JD or the Kubota loaders that can lift any trees and dirt that need lifting to heights I need. The loaders and grapples are strong.....the three points are adequate and the power of the tractors is great for properly sized implements. As said.....no quarrel with the performance of the machines......they simply are ill-equipped for working in the timber.......and it would not require much foresight for these manufactures to add a little more protection to hoses, lights, radiators and such to make them more bullet proof. I can do this stuff.....but it would be nice to buy one that way.

 

[Jchonline]

Perhaps a welder and a bit of training would lead to something fun? You can start making and selling aftermarket skid plates!

 

[oosik]

MOSS - don't intend to change the subject but......... the picture in your post #4. Is that the "typical" undergrowth you have on your property - in your area?? I don't have 1/3 of what you can see in that picture - if you scraped everything on my 80 acres into one spot. My property would appear to be bush hogged to you, because there is little to nothing between my big 'ol Ponderosa pines. I continue to be amazed at the heavy undergrowth on a lot of pictures posted here on TBN.

Right now - if I were to post a picture of my tallest and heaviest "undergrowth" - it would be two patches of wild mustard growing out in the middle of one of my open areas. Each is about 15 to 20 feet in diameter and about 4 to 5 feet tall.