Tires Why Small Front Tires?

[catvet]

I imagine this has been discussed in the past but I didn't come up with anything useful with the search terms I used.

Why do most tractors have small front tires? It would seem to me you could support more weight (FEL) and possibly get more traction in 4wd if the fronts more equaled the real tires. For instance if you look at the M-series from Kubota many have them have front tires which are more inline with the rear tires.

Does it help steering? Keeping the tractor level? Allow for impliments to be attached? Stability?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[jimmysisson]

Front wheels steer, need room to turn. Easier to see what you're doing with less tire in the way. Easier to configure the loader arms. Lighter steering gear with smaller footprint/leverage. Less expensive. Tighter turning radius possible. Easier access to engine and accessories. Historic design inertia. Probably more...
Jim

 

[N80]

 

[radman1]

Don't see those high crop tractors in my area. I bet the turning radius on those things are horrible but I suspect they could go through a major mudhole. I only see those units in brochures.

The opposite extreme are the orchard, vineyard tractors.

http://www.deere.com/en_GB/products/brochures/agriculture/tractors/yy0614116_5015FV.pdf

 

[catvet]

George,

Exactly my point. Is that Kubota's "Mudder"? I spend a lot of time in mud. Looking at that tractor makes me think with larger fronts I wouldn't get stuck as often

 

[LBrown59]

I imagine this has been discussed in the past but I didn't come up with anything useful with the search terms I used.

Rite you R
It has

 

[Robert_in_NY]

George,

Exactly my point. Is that Kubota's "Mudder"? I spend a lot of time in mud. Looking at that tractor makes me think with larger fronts I wouldn't get stuck as often

Yes, that is their vegetable/mud tractor. But just look at it and if you ever saw one up close or operated on one you would realize how terrible the design is for every day use. It is a specialty machine designed for where you need high ground clearance. It has poor visibility, no loader option, poor turn radius, poor access to just about everything but they are great for working in vegetables.

 

[Egon]

Most Loader specific equipment is articulated and has the same size tires all around.

 

[plowking]

A neighboring town has a JCB Loader backhoe, it looks like a conventional TLB ,except it has same size tires and four wheel steering. plowking

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Most Loader specific equipment is articulated and has the same size tires all around.

That is true, except an ag tractor isn't loader specific. And adding an articulation joint into a tractor just so you can have equal size tires or re designing the rear axle so it can steer will add a lot of money to the price of the tractor for what gain? Better in the mud? How often does everyone get stuck in the mud with R-1's on a FWA tractor? Usually if you do it is because you have an implement that gets hung up in the mud (transport disc is what does me in), having 4 equal size tires won't do much good except dig deeper holes unless you have 3pt equipment that lifts high enough to clear the mud.