Are ATV's Morphing into Tractors?

[have_blue]

I think ATV's are rapidly morphing into tractors. Am I wrong?

If you think about how ATV's started out as sqirrely 3 wheelers, to 4WD, to side-by-sides with canopies, to power steering, to the proliferation of small implements, it looks like the classic 80 year old cast iron tractor configuration is going to have competition. (I'm referring to ~45hp and smaller CUT's, not big ag tractors.)

Take a basic ATV design, make the frame bigger and heavier, tires larger, add diesel, a PTO (not integrated with the engine or transmission PLEASE!)and you have a serviceable CUT. There would have to be a way to temporarily firm up or lock the suspension for lifting implements and FEL, but that's a small detail.

I like the thought of a soft suspension to speed up mowing, and not having to split the whole tractor in two just to work on a clutch or seal.

 

[MikeInEburg]

Take a look at Bobcat's "Toolcat" on their web page. It is exactly what you describe - an ATV/tractor morph. And they look mightly comfortable!
Mike

 

[MMagis]

The primary issue is weight. They simply don't have the weight needed for ground engaging implements.

 

[TripleR]

Some are trying to use ATV/RUV vehicles as tractors and for light work like food plots and snow removal they seem to be OK. I have a 700 Grizzly and 660 Rhino and while very handy suck at doing any real work. I might be interested in an "up armored" ATV for some things as a supplement to a tractor, but would hate to even think of the cost.

 

[Scooby074]

Its been done! Check out the Yamaha TerraPro. Was ahead of its time for sure. THey didnt sell a whole lot of them, and the ones that are around demand a pretty penny considering they were only made in 1988.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA - 1988 Terra-Pro Home

 

[TheFlatlander]

Take a look at Bobcat's "Toolcat" on their web page. It is exactly what you describe - an ATV/tractor morph. And they look mightly comfortable!
Mike

Went there and checked it out. Very useful machine that definately makes the cross over.

 

[jas67]

Its been done! Check out the Yamaha TerraPro. Was ahead of its time for sure. THey didnt sell a whole lot of them, and the ones that are around demand a pretty penny considering they were only made in 1988.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA - 1988 Terra-Pro Home

It's only 349cc. It would have to be spinning awfully fast to make enough power to make it useful for mowing, tilling etc. I don't think I'd want to have to listen to it.

 

[lhfarm]

I think ATV's are rapidly morphing into tractors. Am I wrong?

If you think about how ATV's started out as sqirrely 3 wheelers, to 4WD, to side-by-sides with canopies, to power steering, to the proliferation of small implements, it looks like the classic 80 year old cast iron tractor configuration is going to have competition. (I'm referring to ~45hp and smaller CUT's, not big ag tractors.)

Take a basic ATV design, make the frame bigger and heavier, tires larger, add diesel, a PTO (not integrated with the engine or transmission PLEASE!)and you have a serviceable CUT. There would have to be a way to temporarily firm up or lock the suspension for lifting implements and FEL, but that's a small detail.

I like the thought of a soft suspension to speed up mowing, and not having to split the whole tractor in two just to work on a clutch or seal.

Willys wanted the Jeep to morph into a tractor (see our Web site) and they had some success. Like you, I've watched ATV's change and if I didn't already own 3 jeeps, I'd have one for the farm. Come to think of it, maybe the ATV is set to become the new "farm jeep."

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

A bit off topic, but it's another type of tractor. In fact, they're called road tractors. You can still buy some nice used ones (under $10K), and even a newer one ($150K+) !!

Check out this old brochure... I don't think there's another tractor out there with this versatility.

http://vonsmog.com/images/caseunimogbrochure.pdf

I read once that they can pull 300,000 lbs. (I wouldn't try it.)

 

[have_blue]

Take a look at Bobcat's "Toolcat" on their web page. It is exactly what you describe - an ATV/tractor morph. And they look mightly comfortable!
Mike

I knew Bobcat was making (or re-labeling and selling) tractors, but had never heard of the Toolcat. Very cool, just about what I'm talking about.

I've been thinking for years that 45hp and smaller tractors are handicapping their customers by using the ancient casting configuration that the big tractors have.

Someone mentioned weight. By the time you drop in a 30-45hp diesel, add 4 large wheels, and beef up everything, weight need not be a problem!

The main problem I see is adding a 3 point hitch, but hey, maybe it's time to bury that too. There should be better ways to mount equipment in this day and age.

 

[Scooby074]

A bit off topic, but it's another type of tractor. In fact, they're called road tractors. You can still buy some nice used ones (under $10K), and even a newer one ($150K+) !!

Check out this old brochure... I don't think there's another tractor out there with this versatility.

http://vonsmog.com/images/caseunimogbrochure.pdf

I read once that they can pull 300,000 lbs. (I wouldn't try it.)

Unimogs are an awesome piece of equipment. I still hope to someday get a "Swiss Mog" with the ambulance or radio cab and turn it into a RV with removable camper. Or find a Doka (crew cab) which would be my dream! and add a cab on back

jas67: I dont know how loud they'd be, but i imagine theyd be no more than a regular ATV. If im not mistaken the TerraPros used proprietary attachments so they were likly geared different than what one would see used on a tractor.

 

[PUSHINDIRT]

Take a look at Bobcat's "Toolcat" on their web page. It is exactly what you describe - an ATV/tractor morph. And they look mightly comfortable!
Mike

I priced one about a year and a half ago. Just about every attachment that goes on a Bobcat goes on the toolcat. Pretty Cool! The only problem was the cost. I could have purchased 2 of my 2920's with all my attachments (snowblower, mmm, FEL, rake, and toothbar) for less than a toolcat with a snowblower. Still they look sweet!

 

[jas67]

If im not mistaken the TerraPros used proprietary attachments so they were likly geared different than what one would see used on a tractor.

That would be on par with most garden tractors that have PTOs.

 

[Dargo]

Its been done! Check out the Yamaha TerraPro. Was ahead of its time for sure. THey didnt sell a whole lot of them, and the ones that are around demand a pretty penny considering they were only made in 1988.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA - 1988 Terra-Pro Home

I had one of them and loved it except for the fact that they only have about 14 hp. The rear mower is a 2 pt. Woods finish mower sold under Yamaha's name. They are far quieter than a regular lawn tractor and their ride is in a different league. Their demise was based on their extremely steep price and lack of enough hp to cut much more than 3" worth of grass per pass without bogging down. With the mower deck off, it was a very capable 2wd ATV.

As others have mentioned, the Bobcat Toolcat truly blurs the line between a high end side by side and a tractor.

 

[Tom_H]

"Tract" is an English verb, descended from the Latin verb tractus which means "to pull". Traction and tractive power are words/terms coming from the same root. Thus a tractor is that which or one who pulls. ATVs seem to be performing that function more than any other these days, so I'd say your observation is right on the mark.

 

[have_blue]

I had one of them and loved it except for the fact that they only have about 14 hp. The rear mower is a 2 pt. Woods finish mower sold under Yamaha's name. They are far quieter than a regular lawn tractor and their ride is in a different league. Their demise was based on their extremely steep price and lack of enough hp to cut much more than 3" worth of grass per pass without bogging down. With the mower deck off, it was a very capable 2wd ATV.

As others have mentioned, the Bobcat Toolcat truly blurs the line between a high end side by side and a tractor.

Scale that Yamaha up to 40hp, capable of pulling a 6' bush hog, and I would be in love.

I really like the ToolCat concept, but the front and rear implement hookup look awkward, just looking at pictures.

I think modeling modern compact utility tractors after large tractors is senseless. When those behemoths were first designed, there was no high strength steel, no robot welders, no small, powerful diesel engines. They don't need to be made from 2 giant, fragile, expensive castings or have giant rear wheels with rigid suspension. I'm betteing ATV's keep getting bigger and more versatile, and the lines between ATV and CUT will become blurred.

 

[Scooby074]

Not really an "ATV" but a different concept in tractors are the McCormick G series. Bi Directional and really compact. But i dont think theyre made anymore. In the second picture theres an atv in the background so you can get a feel for the size of the McCormick

 

[Muskrat84]

We are forgetting the all important attachment. Grounhog Loader System
Electric over hydraulic FEL

Its a pretty cool design, even if it is quite limited, but 300lbs is still more than I can lift.

 

[plastikosmd]

"sqirrely 3 wheelers"

I love my sqirrely wheelers... (big red and 250R)

 

[Ken45101]

I would call what you are describing a "utility vehicle" (UTV), not an ATV.

ATV's went from 3 wheels to 4 when the government prohibited manufacture of 3 wheelers due to safety issues (they really tip easily when going downhill at an angle).

Standard ATV's aren't morphing into anything. There are many UTVs and specialty machines.

Perhaps the machine with the most widely varied attachments is the skid steer: you can get dozer/snow blades, tillers, post hole diggers, metal tracks, landscape rakes, mowers, tree shears, grapples, buckets, and many more attachments. Of course, you could also use it as an all terrain transportation vehicle too, LOL.

We have 4 wheelers as well as a Kubota RTV. Although there is overlap, both have their separate specialties. I'll use the 4 wheelers for jobs where the RTV won't go. Besides, 4 wheelers are more aimed at recreation than a utility vehicle or tractor.

Ken