Steiner? Ventrack? What is the relationship?

Industrial Toys · Mar 10, 2015

I've operated enough regular tractors to suggest that a def lock is a necessity.

But on the Steiner, I just have never even thought about it. And on my articulated Kubota Wheel Loader, I have been stuck enough times as well, but it doesn't have def locks and I never cursed that it didn't.

I am just guessing that an articulated, 4 equal size tire machine is just a "different animal" and the tractive forces compared to a "conventional" tractor are quite impressive.

In general, I have never used a def lock as much as on a 2wd tractor. When I have used it on a couple of JD 4x4 tractors and my Kawi Mule, it never seems to make a BIG difference. I was driving the Mule accross a VERY rough field last fall, getting hung up and that was the first time in maybe ten years that I actually felt that the deff lock made the difference between going and staying put!

prs · Mar 10, 2015

Must a horse of a different color. I was thinking to myself, well I could always load the spinning rear tire with the brakes, to force the lazy wheel to pull. Used to that years ago when had an old Gravely. BUT, evidently these machines have no conventional brakes at all. Geeze, that would be something to get used to. I dunno, I'm getting a little skeptical now. I need to see these up close and maybe they have a driving area with steep bank there. I am a bit far away for them to come to me with a machine.

prs

Industrial Toys · Mar 10, 2015

When I bought my wheel loader, it had turf tires. I spent countless sleepless nights wondering what I was going to do in the winter? I priced new R4s but the size was Odd and the prices beyond my means. In the end, I found I have amazing traction with the turfs on anything short of glare ice! A lot of worrying for nothing.

I am sure that Raw Dodge will alleviate any fears of yours about the lack of a def lock on these two machines. I have read any possible forum on these critters and to be honest, you are the first person ever to bring this concern up.

Raw Dodge · Mar 10, 2015

There are no diff locks on the ventrac and steiner .the 2 wd Steiner 220/230/235 have a diff lock as they need it. I would like to have one ,not sure how much it would help,what I've found is that the only thing that stops these machines is the lack of ground clearance.Also don't forget that with an articulated setup,it would be impossible to steer with locking diffs ,and the weight is fair.y evenly distributed even over uneven terrain,even running 30 degree side hills without duals on a steiner will not spin your uphill tires,you will still be able to continue forward.We have a Ford 1910 33 hp compact 4x4 tractor at work,even with its locking diff,there are many places the steiners easily go that would sink the ford to its axles,same with climbing hills the steiners are glued to the ground,that's how they feel,and this is without diff locks.
I do feel the Steiner frame is stronger,especially in the center pivot area,it's much thicker steel and the pivot is fully boxed and welded,the Ventracs is better in that you ca replace the upper pivot bearing easily,but the entire setup isn't nearly as strong,you can feel a ventrac flex when you drop it in a steep ditch with a 72" deck,where a steiner will not.a steiners pivot is a large ball with a welded socket when it wears out replacement is difficult,our old machine has play we just live with it,it's only annoying when the machine is close to naturally balanced and you feel it rock over every little bump.when it's loaded with a heavy attachment and counterweights i
You never notice it to much pressure is on it,

prs · Mar 11, 2015

Great information! Thanks.

prs

Raw Dodge · Mar 12, 2015

Even with what I feel is a stronger frame, let me be clear I'd walk past a steiner to get a ventrac. ..i believe they are that much better overall.I can't speak for the 4500 series ventrac or the 440 steiners, as I don't have those maxhines, I am comparing the 4000/41/4200 series Ventrac vs the Steiner 420/430....The additional power the ventrac lineup has available, the electric pto clutch is a much better setup for belt life, and gives less problems overall when you factor in the constant need to adjust the belts and the extra wear from bending the top belt backwards, the extra filter on the ventracs hydraulic system, and the return setup is better, as is the factory fill of amsoil synthetic is way better..The ventrac uses a splined low pressure pump whereas the Steiners use a pin, the splines allow you to turn up the hydraulic pressure without fear of sheering a pin, a $3.00 sheered pin takes hours for a trained mechanic to replace....it's important to note Steiner made alot of changes with the 440, and they fixed alot of of the shortcomings. .I'd like a week with one to see how they are.id like a kubota gas or diesel..like to try the big block air cooled Kohler 40hp as well.

prs · Mar 12, 2015

I plan on visiting a Ventrac dealer Saturday AM. He has 4500 with the Kubota gas engine and some others. With duals, 3pt hitch, and 72" mower he says retail is $25,989.00. With the 84" contour mower it comes in at $29,700.00.

Not sure how much room they to deal, my Kubota dealers can usually give 10% pretty easy and in slow times can be pushed to about almost 20%. And even at that the prices are fairly comparable.

I have always done all of my own mechanical work, never had any dealer services after the sale. But, I am not spring chicken now.

prs

murphy1244 · Mar 12, 2015

Ventrac won't sell less than the State pays. At least that's the way it works here.

MossRoad · Mar 12, 2015

prs said:
They are similar. So similar that Steiner is discussed only on this Ventrack forum. Apparently similar enough that some proprietary attachments seem to interchange. Right?

So, is this a Ford/Mercury or Plymouth/Dodge kind of thing?

Or are they truly different with maybe a little interesting espionage story to boot? Is one the original and the other a kopy kat?

I have been lazily ogling Ventac for the past several Spring seasons and have noted a TV ad campaign for them locally. I notice that there is a dealership for each, pretty close together about an hour and a half from me.

I notice they are very mute about pricing on the web. Is it a situation where, "If Ya gotta ask, Ya can't afford it?"

prs