Amazing little tractors-Foton 250

[jimogeek]

My wife and I just moved into a house with a small plot of land (11 acres), mostly wooded with a few small pastures for our animals. I picked up an '06 Foton 250 (2 wheel drive) with a Spirit FEL a few months ago and have been abusing it moving dirt, pulling/dragging trees, trenching/burying cable, mowing and maintaining our road. Picked it up for $5,000 and it only had 125 hours on it. I've driven bigger and more 'feature rich' machines before, but this thing is great. Yes, it's a bit un-refined, but man it works! No problems so far and not missing the 4 wheel drive yet, haven't gotten stuck anywhere that a bit of creative driving and locking the rear wheels hasn't fixed. I picked up a new King Kutter 6' finish mower and it works great, and got a used 6' box blade that this thing has no problems pulling, and the front end loader is an amazing time saver.

Very happy with the purchase so far (knock on wood), looking forward to years of reliable service.

 

[CliffordK]

The Foton 250 (tractordata.com) looks like an excellent sized small tractor. Do you have AG tread or turf tread on it? It seems as if every time I think I'll disengage my 4x4, I find a place where my Ford starts spinning.

 

[jimogeek]

I've got turf tires, would much rather have the ag tread, but it does the job.

I think because of the weight of this tractor it does fine in most situations, and I've usually got something heavy on the back. Bad thing is once you get some mud in those treads you're having fun getting un-stuck, although locking the rear wheels has gotten me out of most situations.

 

[CliffordK]

A locking differential would be a nice feature. The best I have is independent brakes which helps some, but is far from optimal.

 

[RonMar]

Don't forget the Frontend loader when you do get stuck. Put the bucket edge on the ground, and put a little downforce on it, and you can push or pull the tractor forward or back with the bucket. I use this method occasionally when the wheels won't move it, and I have 4WD I also use the loader in this same way to fine position the tractor when I am changing impliments...

 

[jimogeek]

Now that's a good idea! Thanks for the suggestion, I'll definitely use the loader next time I have to swap implements out, good advice!

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you are so pleased with your 250 just imagine how pleased us guys with 4x4 284's are. Mine with R1 ag tires is a beast that will out work my other 40HP tractor.

Chris

 

[RonMar]

Another trick that works well with a locking diff and low low range is to pass a chain or rope/cable THRU the rear wheel and attach it back to a solid anchor point. With the rear diff locked, the wheel will roll right back up the line/chain and it will work just like a winch. The anchor point does need to be prettymuch directly behind you, but this works great... With turf tires having a more wide and flat tread, it should work even beter than it does on AG treads as the line will stay on the tire like cable being rolled onto a drum. It tends to walk off AG treads pretty easilly. Yes, 4WD tractors DO get stuck

Here is a pic of what I am talking about. You pass the end of the chain thru the wheel and hook it back to itself.

 

[jimogeek]

That's brilliant! Definitely using it next time. Almost got stuck last night dragging trees out of the woods in some tight spaces. Lots of readily available 'anchor points' also with trees all around...

Heck, you could almost t-bar in a couple of fence posts in an emergency and get enough to drag yourself out.

 

[RonMar]

Another one I have seen is a loop thru a wheel with a 2' or so bar passed thru it. This acts like a paddle. To move a short distance, as it won't go around all the way and must be pulled off as soon as the wheel starts to lift it away from the ground after the wheel rolls over it. There is even a youtube vid out there of someone using a 4X4 chained across both rear tires to help the tractor back out of some deep muddy ruts. the tractor only moves about 3 feet, then you re-rig it behind the tires and do it again as needed till you are clear of the slop...