What compact tractor is safest on hilly terain?

[JerryG]

I know for a fact that the MF 1433 and MF 1440 do and it looks like the MF 1431 does, but I can't say with absolute certainty. I don't like the way the latest sheet that I have is laid out.

 

[jfdlaw]

I think the Power-trac 1430 could handle your requirements, but I understand your desire to go with a more conventional unit. I did the same thing. If you want real stability maybe you should outfit your tractor with a set of these:

Mattracks tracktor assist

Just kidding.

 

[Egon]

Shucks; if you are going to make a custome tractor why not start with an old 4x4 frame from a small P/U or old Suzuki. Put duals all around - use two front ends for four wheel steering - Mount them solid - Put a suitable motor right in the middle for good weight distribution - get a proper sized hst for the engine and ???

Or maybe put duals on the B7500 and insert a bigger motor as mentioned.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Don't forget the lawn chair seating. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Just kidding. Put two trannies in series so you can really gear it down.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> The articulated machines won't cut my snow and dirt "plowing" requirements. The wheel/tire diameters are much too small. </font>

I find snow removal with our Power Trac and the front mounted power angle plow on the FEL arms to be much more efficient than a conventional tractor with rear blade. Snow blowers are available for the Power Tracs, too, if you need to go that route.

How much dirt do you need to plow? Fields? If fields, then I could see the problem. However, Power Trac offers tillers and other dirt working attachments, too.

Here's a link to my webpage. Click on the VIDEOS link to see a few movies of our little Power Trac in action. They may take a few minutes to load over dial-up connection, but they are fun to watch. Remember, this is the smallest frame size that they offer. They offer many larger models.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red">
The articulated machines won't cut my snow and dirt "plowing" requirements. The wheel/tire diameters are much too small.
</font>

Moss . . . I'm not sure what he is trying to do, but I'd guess his assumption to be wrong.

Keith . . . I've seen a Ventrac demonstration where a 4200 with a FEL dug a hole deep enough to bury the tractor to the top of the ROPS and it then piled the dirt at the edge of the hole. The tractor drove down into the hole and then straight up the pile. It moved all the dirt with those little tires. Also, the larger PT equipement would probably move a mountain.

What I really think is that you are thinking about traction in conventional tractor terms, but the articulated-oscillating machines seem to have significantly better traction because all 4 tires place virtually equal amounts of pressure on the ground, something that only exists with a rigid frame tractor when it is on smooth/flat ground.

After working with a couple of these and seeing a few more of them working, there is no doubt in my mind that they are generally superior to traditional CUTS, and since I own 2 traditional CUTS, that is a lot of crow I am eating every time I state that the PTs are generally better and more capable machines!

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

The color choice is not the factor; it's the wheel set up you should be concerned with. What you want is a tractor that has adjustable wheels. You want to find one with wheels that can be "dished" out and the rims attached at the widest point. I haven't seen too many 16" wheels that have this configuration. I have seen it mainly on 24" or larger. I was able to do this with my Cub Cadet and gained almost a foot in width.

I did notice the B series Kubotas have adjustable axles. Looks like you loosen a clamp and slide the wheel outward. I did not look at them very closely, but you might be able to swap the wheels from side to side to gain more width.

Good luck! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Dargo]

I've seen the dual wheel Power Trac units on highway crews mowing the sides of hills that would be a challange to walk up. Those things must be like having a mountain goat on steroids! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The Grashopper mower I have is extremely stable on hills, but not nearly as much as the PT machines are, and my Grasshopper does nothing besides mow. I need to add onto my barn so I can buy one of those Power Trac machines. Man, are they ever the beast for hilly terrain!

 

[keithym]

Well, like the woman told her husband in one of the posts "just buy one!", I did. I settled on a CASE DX33 with FEL. Now if I can just convince my wife that I shouldn't sell the Kubota, because I need both!

I'd like to thank everyone for their input.

Keith

 

[RickO]

That's a nice tractor. I looked at those also. Little out of my price range. Good luck with it.