test driving dilemma

[aczlan]

I may be entirely off the wall but for some reason I thought all (most) tractors had "lifts"... often when looking at used tractor listings they state that the "lift works great"...? perhaps this is something found only on full sized tractors? or maybe it is something I dreamed...?

the "lift works great" could be referring to how well the 3 point hitch lifts implements attached to it. Most tractors have a 3 point hitch, but (as has been mentioned) very few of the 3 point hitches "push down", they all "lift up" (if they are in good working order)

Aaron Z

 

[/pine]

I'm fearing that there are not that many manual shift machines out there anymore...!

The lift works great is most likely refering to the FEL

not the case because most of the older tractors listed do not have FELs but do mention a "lift"

What I am referring to may not be hydraulic it may be a mechanical lift that moves down and the tractor is powered forward to raise the rear and can then be "pushed" off backwards ???

 

[MarkV]

I'm fearing that there are not that many manual shift machines out there anymore...!
not the case because most of the older tractors listed do not have FELs but do mention a "lift"

What I am referring to may not be hydraulic it may be a mechanical lift that moves down and the tractor is powered forward to raise the rear and can then be "pushed" off backwards ???

Well there are manual shift machines out there.....but..... many of them come from the 50's and 60's or before. Some of them are great classic tractors and will work for many more years. You can also buy many new tractors with a straight gear tranny today. Keep in mind that the older gear tractors were primarily farming tractors, even the smaller ones, and where pulling a plow, disk or baler. They were 2 wheel drive and had manual steering. You will rarely find them with a FEL or it will have one that has limited ability.

Well I think you misunderstand the terminology as it relates to "lift", in this case. With very few exceptions tractor 3 pt hitches only apply pressure upwards and alway have. I would think that when seeing adds that refer to lifting ability they are saying it will lift an implement easily up. When you think about it, if the 3 pt hitch were to "push" the tool downward it would take the weight off of the rear tires and you would lose traction and the ability to pull. The 3pt is hydraulic.

It is also worth mentioning that gear tractors have evolved from the early ones where you came to a stop, clutched and changed gears to newer variations. The classic gear tranny is still available but some of the newer variations use a hydraulic clutch that allow shifting between froward and reverse as well as between gears without stopping or clutching.

MarkV