What is the lowest CG / Widest Stance Tractor?

[jcmseven]

In my opinion, if you are mainly going to mow, but also wish to do other things, I would look strongly at the Steiner or Ventrac. Our hospital has two Steiners and they mow great on steep hills. With dual tires they do not slip and really go well on very steep hillsides. Our facilities director tried virtually every tractor combo before he went with Steiner and has not regretted it. They also offer attachments that make the machine like a SCUT/CUT. I do not own one, but really like them and have used the hospital one some too. They have styling from the 1980's but are tough and have good dealer support. Well worth a look. One of my business partners sold his MF tractor and bought a Steiner. He said there were areas on his property he would not touch with his big tractor that seemed comfortable on the Steiner machine. He also has a bucket loader and tiller for his and says it is not much slower doing classic tractor work than his old and much larger MF.

John M

 

[KMA]

For mowing very steep slopes, I believe Power Trac is the answer. Either the 1845 or 1850. These machines are purpose-built, but still able to perform other types of work with 30+ quick attach/detach attachments available. (e.g buckets, forks, trenchers, etc...)

TSM Class

Good luck!

 

[odleefs]

Another option, but I have never seen one is an Antonio Carraro TTR 4400 HST. Interesting set up with oscillation standard and dualie able (pun intended). Check them out at http://www.acamerica.com/TTR_4400_USAPDF.pdf
steve

 

[IslandTractor]

Cool video on the Carraro tractors too: http://www.acamerica.com/ACA%20NO%20Sound_0001minweb.wmv

Looks kinda like a PowerTrac on steroids painted Ferrari Red.

 

[odleefs]

Cool video on the Carraro tractors too: http://www.acamerica.com/ACA%20NO%20Sound_0001minweb.wmv

Looks kinda like a PowerTrac on steroids painted Ferrari Red.

Island Tractor,
You hit the nail on the head...Ferrari Red PT on 'roids!
Steve

 

[daTeacha]

The Steiner and Ventrac were invented in this area. The Steiner was first, and the Ventrac came along after the Steiner company was sold. I believe the same guy or a close relative came up with the Ventrac. They're pretty similar and both have solid reputations in the residential and commercial fields for serious lawn/garden/landscaping work. They are very well built machines, but have a couple of limitations compared to a standard tractor. Ground clearance is not much for one, and the FEL lift height is limited.

On the plus side, the things are about as agile and stable as a mountain goat. I used one to make and maintain a hiking trail in a park I used to work in. It would go and mow some places that nothing else would touch except a weedeater.

The front mounted mowers are super for working around and under trees. The maintenance guy rigged up a furnace squirrel cage fan running off the PTO plus some sheet metal and 6" duct work to make a 25 hp rider leaf blower to clear the leaves off park roads. He could switch the output from left to right by pulling a light rope while driving the thing. There are all kinds of attachments for them. We have two here in the school district for detail mowing, mowing the athletic fields, brooming the sidewalks free of light snow and debris, plowing heavier snow, spreading salt or fertilizer, etc.

 

[woodlandfarms]

thanks to all for the comments. I would love to make one of these articulated tractors work, cause they are really nearly perfect, except the Front Loaders appear to be questionable in ability.. Really too bad, liked what I saw...

 

[IslandTractor]

thanks to all for the comments. I would love to make one of these articulated tractors work, cause they are really nearly perfect, except the Front Loaders appear to be questionable in ability.. Really too bad, liked what I saw...

I don't think there are any serious problems with the PT front loaders. They don't have the lift height that tractor loaders do in general but they work just fine and have the flexibility of rapidly changing implements too.

 

[TBrown]

You might want to pay a visit to an orchard/vineyard tractor dealer, if you have one in your area. Aside from the aforementioned Antonio Carraro, there is Goldoni and Ferrari.

Many of the tractors offered by these manufactureres are lower and wider than standard CUTS.

 

[MossRoad]

thanks to all for the comments. I would love to make one of these articulated tractors work, cause they are really nearly perfect, except the Front Loaders appear to be questionable in ability.. Really too bad, liked what I saw...

My little PT425 lifts 800 pounds at the quick attach point. Not bad for a 1500 pound machine. The larger units lift more, of course.

You should make a spread sheet and list the models and features that you want to compare. Then include the weight of the machine, how much it lifts, other statistics, etc... and start comparing. You will be surprised at the bang for the buck of some of these machines VS conventional tractors.