Are There Enough Tractor Models Produced Today?

[hobbyfarm]

Being a long time equipment junkie - both the modern stuff and the vintage models. I've come to a simple conclusion:

There are plenty of choices but... modern technology has left some markets completely untapped. True, these would not be for everone, and are really a specialty type piece of equipment, but, so are skid steer loaders. Yet they are one of the hottest markets.
For instance:
Where are the modern compact crawler tractors? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif With all the new rubber track technology here and almost every manufacturer making some sort of a compact excavator, it would seem like a natural idea to make one. Not to mention, most of the big three start at about 70 HP or so for their crawler models. A true high flotation, low center-of-gravity tractor with awesome traction. It seems like there could be a market for it.

Next,
If one wants a specialty cultivating tractor with good ground clearance for his market garden, he needs to find about a 40+ year old Farmall 140 or such. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif This is another niche that seems to not be filled with modern technology.
(Are you listening Deere, CNH, Agco, Kubota, etc??)

Can anyone think of an ag product to add to the list of untapped equipment niches??
What do you think?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Last summer I went on a search for a modern compact crawler tractor, not a crawler bulldozer, but a true ag tractor that was in crawler format. No such luck. I would have entertained buying something up to about 40hp, but I'd have preferred closer to 30hp.

It would make a lously turf tractor, and would tear up the lawn, but it would likely be an excellent machine working in the woods, or in the fields. It could pull a tiller without compacting the soil much better than a wheel tractor. It would be better on slopes for just about any task. And the floatation on snow might make it a lot of fun in the winter too.

 

[RobertN]

ASVi sells thier track systems for those that want to build a custom setup. CAT uses that track systems on thier track/loaders.

A crawler could surely be built on this type format. I have used the ASV RC30, a 3000lb 30hp machine, and the Cat-247, a 60hp 6000lb machine on turf and in wet conditions. It was amazing how nimble they were on wet turf.

ASVi market a turf edition of the RC30 that basically has smooth tracks. It is made to operate on golf courses and putting greens.

Too boot, they even have a torsion bar suspension, which makes for a smooth ride.

Both of the machines I used are a tracked replacement to a skidsteer, which would not meet your needs. But, the track technology is definitely out there. These machines work well in snow, and have really good terrain handling capabilities.

Check out www.asvi.com

 

[eee]

New Holland agr crawler

Same Krypton

 

[KiotiJohn]

Some intersting tracks

 

[dbear]

I wholeheartedly agree. I would love to get my hands on a modern, 20-30hp crawler tractor; one designed and setup from the get-go as a tractor, not a dozer. The only one I've found that looks interesting is a Collina out of Italy, but the only dealer I've remotely heard about on N. America is somewhere in Ontario, Ca.

Collina Crawler

 

[mygoatboy]

I thought I would follow up on roughcut's post and here is the up to date link for the New Holland crawler:

New Holland Crawler

 

[Henro]

Here's a hybrid answer from Kubota that sells in Japan. Pic was taken last year...

This is a 15 HP tractor...

 

[hobbyfarm]

Greetings All,
Yes, I'm aware of all these models and except for the Collina, they still aren't "compact".
The closest one I've see is the <font color="blue">Same Rock 55HP and up </font>
Even the New Holland starts at 60HP. They at least have something close to compact, but still heavy and twice as big as it should be to be compact.
The ASV's look neat, but they aren't made for ag type applications as they are more of the industrial type. (no TPH, PTO, etc.)
As I mentioned in my original post, an untapped market.
Just CaseIH has around 14 compact models, you would think that they could cover their bases with a 30HP crawler with a choice of metal or rubber tracks.

Look at this thread: <font color="blue">any info in this iseki crawler </font> .

Follow the link that <font color="green"> jdkid </font> posted and there is a cool Iseki crawler there, but, 46 HP and up.

At the link to the left, click on #10 thru #14 and they appear to be various types of crawler configurations, no doubt for rice farming etc.
Cool, but still not "compact" yet.
phil

 

[Henro]

And this is a 33 hp if I remember right...

 

[bandit67]

Here's an aftermarket company that makes tracks for tractors, ATV's, pickups, & SUV's. They bolt right on to the hubs, but are fairly expensive. http://www.mattracks.com/html/track-tor-assist.htm

I'd like to get a set for my tractor, my pickup, and my wife's ATV. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tractors4u]

Yanmar has them in Japan. Attached is a pic of 28 PTO hp model.

 

[Tractors4u]

The inside of the cab

 

[Tractors4u]

120hp model

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Personally I find the tracks that replace wheels less than desireable, I saw all those when I was looking, but they keep the center of gravity of the tractor high, and they look bad under the curved rear wheel wells. I'm sure they work, but it is not what I really want.

There are some interesting European vinyard crawler tractors, and the New Holland crawler tractors are awesome looking too, but for the most part they are bigger than many small land owners (like the majority of us who post on TBN) would be interested in. There are a couple mini-ag-crawlers out of Italy, but finding one here in the states is a tough thing to do.

I think that what I want really doesn't exist. And I guess I'd like interchangable tracks too! One with an aggressive tread for doing real work, and one with a near slick tread for mowing the lawn!!!

 

[RobS]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned
Struck. They've been around forever, I remember seeing their ads in the back of popular mechanics when I was a kid.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

I was looking to find an offset tractor for cultivating vegetables. Does anyone make them still? Case-IH and John Deere each had a model during the 80's, but neither seems to have one now. You can't find a good used offset tractor w/a 3PT hitch on it. My Cub Cadet isn't high enough for cultivating. The seats on the modern compacts are too far forward to see the hitch anyway. I tried to find a good, complete set to go on my Farmall, but they are nowhere to be found.
What do the tobacco farmers use now? I imagine they must still have to cultivate? Then again, they probably don't have much use for a one-row rig. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

The mini-dozer really is not an AG machine, and what I am dreaming of is an agricultural type crawler, capable of plowing, running PTO implements, etc. I know the Magna-Tracks have been around but they are really designed for a slighly different market, they probably can do what I want done but that is not the same as what I am looking for.

Imagine a NH TC29, or a Kubota B2910 with a lower center of gravity and wide tracks. Make the loader an option, but not a necessity. Give me about 24 PTO HP so I can power a decent size implement. I would go up in HP a bit but not too far, probably no more than 35 hp, yielding about 30 PTO HP, so there would be lots of power to run sprayers and foggers through a mini-orchard on the back 3 to 5 acres. You'd have far more traction than any wheeled tractor and you could drag a proportionately larger box blade, etc. You could power a large tiller and not compact the ground before tilling.

I think the main reason the market does not exist for this machine is that there are very few of us who could afford to have 2 or 3 different tractors for different tasks. Let's face it, mowing the lawn with a crawler is not a good thing. Doing loader work with a crawler could be more productive if it handled like a skidsteer. But it would also be pretty expensive.

 

[pekabu]

Cool Link. It reminds me of some of the Tractor to Groomer conversions going on for Grooming snowmobile trails.

Ebert Welding NH Groomer

 

[RobertN]

This is kinda along those lines. If they can do this:
www.asvi.com/rc30_main.cfm
www.asvi.com/rc30_turf.cfm

They should be able to do a CUT based unit using:
www.asvi.com/asv_undercarriages.cfm

I've used this 30hp version(RC30). It would be amazing what it would do if it was a chassis with a B2910 or similar power-train to run the thing.