Smallest tractor with locking front diff?

weesa20 · Aug 21, 2011

Hello- I have searched this site and several tractor sites but can't find any info on what the smallest MFWD CUT or SCUT- in terms of foot print and/or HP- has a locking front diff...not really wanting to have a discussion of necessity, just looking at options for purchasing. Would love to buy another MF, but am open to other options.

Thanks for any info.

Weesy

stravis · Aug 21, 2011

I don't know the answer, but it made me wonder. Is it possible to add a mechanical limited slip or even a cable locker to a front axle of a tractor? Are there any manufacturers that make one? That might be the better option, if it is an option. Buy the size tractor you need, then install a locker.

Good luck. Wish I could be of more help.

Don87 · Aug 21, 2011

weesa20 said:
Hello- I have searched this site and several tractor sites but can't find any info on what the smallest MFWD CUT or SCUT- in terms of foot print and/or HP- has a locking front diff...not really wanting to have a discussion of necessity, just looking at options for purchasing. Would love to buy another MF, but am open to other options.

Thanks for any info.

Weesy

You are coming up with some really weird questions.

What exactly are you looking to trade your GC2300 on?

EDIT: Or better yet...........What are your plans for the future............It will help us to help you if we can get you figured out.

electrarc · Aug 21, 2011

weesa20 said:
Hello- I have searched this site and several tractor sites but can't find any info on what the smallest MFWD CUT or SCUT- in terms of foot print and/or HP- has a locking front diff...not really wanting to have a discussion of necessity, just looking at options for purchasing. Would love to buy another MF, but am open to other options.

Thanks for any info.

Weesy

Italian hill tractors like Ferrari, AC and similar are very small. Mine is full time 4x4 with front and rear diff locks operated from 1 switch.

Cheers

weesa20 · Aug 22, 2011

Don87 said:
You are coming up with some really weird questions.

What exactly are you looking to trade your GC2300 on?

EDIT: Or better yet...........What are your plans for the future............It will help us to help you if we can get you figured out.

So my questions are somewhat related- I am looking for specific options in the smallest platform possible for working landscape projects on small lots. Nobody around here wants to work on small landscaping projects so there is a open market for this type of business, I wouldn't be trading in the GC, looking to add something else that is more capable and heavier duty but still small so that it can get into type places.

Don87 · Aug 22, 2011

weesa20 said:
So my questions are somewhat related- I am looking for specific options in the smallest platform possible for working landscape projects on small lots. Nobody around here wants to work on small landscaping projects so there is a open market for this type of business, I wouldn't be trading in the GC, looking to add something else that is more capable and heavier duty but still small so that it can get into type places.

Great idea, and I wish you the best of luck in your venture.

Now to answer your question. Forget the tractor, get a small mini-excavator, and a skidsteer.

DAY · Aug 22, 2011

"Small landscaping projects" covers quite a bit of ground. As does"small lots". Most housing developments are a quarter acre, and the house/garage takes up much if it.

Depending on the "project", a skid steer may fill the bill. They sure do have a lot of attachments. There are also walk-behind machines- more popular in Europe and the Third World than here in SW Pa

Kubota makes an orchard/vineyard tractor that is narrow.

Grandad4 · Aug 22, 2011

+1 what Don said. Also, at least around here, when the landscapers and groundskeepers need to get into really tight quarters, they rent one of those stand-up, mini-skid steers (I think Toro makes them). The trade-off to all that kind of equipment is the tracks being hard on whatever surface you operate on. If you're trying to work on finished landscape, one of the articulated tractors, like a Ventrac or Steiner, might be the ticket.

Don87 · Aug 22, 2011

DAY said:
"Small landscaping projects" covers quite a bit of ground. As does"small lots". Most housing developments are a quarter acre, and the house/garage takes up much if it.

Depending on the "project", a skid steer may fill the bill. They sure do have a lot of attachments. There are also walk-behind machines- more popular in Europe and the Third World than here in SW Pa

Kubota makes an orchard/vineyard tractor that is narrow.

That's exactly why I threw the mini-ex in there also, but you are correct..........a skidsteer would probably do 80 to 85% of most small lanscaping jobs with ease.

Don87 · Aug 22, 2011

Don87 said:
Great idea, and I wish you the best of luck in your venture.

Now to answer your question. Forget the tractor, get a small mini-excavator, and a skidsteer.

Buy a skidsteer, rent attachments, and rent a mini-ex when needed. A plan like that may work well.

tcartwri · Aug 22, 2011

Deutz makes what you are looking for.

I looked at this unit last year. Nice machine, except that the operator station is very low. I guess it's meant as an orchard tractor.

M&P Farm Equipment Ltd. - Equipment Listings

DAY · Aug 22, 2011

the John Deere 20A greenhouse tractor may work.

John Deere Ag - New Equipment Features for 20A Nursery and Greenhouse Tractor (21 hp)

ovrszd · Aug 22, 2011

Well,,,, it took a few "advice" posts but finally these last two are giving you answers to your question. :thumbsup:

I didn't know of either of these two tractors!!!

Don87 · Aug 22, 2011

ovrszd said:
Well,,,, it took a few "advice" posts but finally these last two are giving you answers to your question. :thumbsup:

I didn't know of either of these two tractors!!!

Sometimes one needs to look farther than 'face value' to answer questions in the correct fashion:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...sons/217191-most-powerful-tractor-w-48-a.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t-tractor-locking-front-diff.html#post2484858

If you've ever worked in tight areas, such as the OP is talking about,(after I finally narrowed it down) you'll quickly find that a 'tractor' is not the tool for the job.

electrarc · Aug 22, 2011

DAY said:
the John Deere 20A greenhouse tractor may work.

John Deere Ag - New Equipment Features for 20A Nursery and Greenhouse Tractor (21 hp)

The JD 20A is an Italian Hill Tractor with a green paint job. 2 cylinder air cooled. I looked at these but purchased a 3 cyl turbo with rotating drivers position. It is great to be facing the 3 point linkage when working in tight places like inside a greenhouse.

jenkinsph · Aug 22, 2011

I use the Deere x749 for my tight space work, seems to do a good job for me. With limited cat 1 hitch, 540 pto and 4 wheel steer.

A few other tools to consider, the Toro Dingo loader, with multiple attachments and it is available with track or tires. This is basically a hydraulic power pack on wheels.

Don't know if it is current model but the small Kubota mini excavator K008 is about 32" wide to get thru doorways. May not be a fast digger but it is alot faster than a couple of shovels.

Also look at the Kubota 420 articulated loader (with tires). IIRC Kubota made one even smaller 320?

art · Aug 23, 2011

Kubota offered a slider hoe for the 420 chassis which is a very versatile unit. Might also want to look at the B-26!

ovrszd · Aug 23, 2011

Don87 said:
Sometimes one needs to look farther than 'face value' to answer questions in the correct fashion:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...sons/217191-most-powerful-tractor-w-48-a.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t-tractor-locking-front-diff.html#post2484858

If you've ever worked in tight areas, such as the OP is talking about,(after I finally narrowed it down) you'll quickly find that a 'tractor' is not the tool for the job.

Sorry Don, I was just replying to this statement in his original post: not really wanting to have a discussion of necessity

But still looks like he got some guidance on where to look for a "locked" tractor.

Don87 · Aug 23, 2011

ovrszd said:
Sorry Don, I was just replying to this statement in his original post: not really wanting to have a discussion of necessity

But still looks like he got some guidance on where to look for a "locked" tractor.

Don't misunderstand, I wasn't jumping you.

I just saw questions asked by the OP that got my attention, so I asked what he was looking to do, and susequently followed up with advice for his stuation.

His first thread was for a powerful 48" wide tractor, some pointed out up to 100hp machines, but a machine like that might not work so well as a TLB(may be topheavy). This thread shows machines that are much larger than the 48" category of the first thread.

tcartwri · Aug 23, 2011

Don87 said:
This thread shows machines that are much larger than the 48" category of the first thread.

The Deutz is under 48" wide without the bucket. It is a very compact and heavily built unit. For reference, if you were to stand beside the unit in the trader add, the seat height would be at your hip.

The current model is the agrokid 30.

http://www.deutzfahrusa.com/product-pdfs/Agrokid30-50SpecSheet.pdf