Compact Tractors are Designed All Wrong

[MossRoad]

Look at the guys who operate the stand behind mowers on steep banks. They have no problem. As long as the ergonomics of the machine work well for the standing position it's easy and secure. In my case my heals lock into a spot on each side of the transmission hump and my legs straddle the steering wheel. So I have 4 points of contact with my feet / legs. I acknowledge that this works so well because the ergonomics of my particular machine fit my 6'3" frame well in the standing position and that if I were much shorter, the position wouldn't work as well. But I don't need to stand to see the tips of my forks. I can see them on the ground from the seated position. If I stand, I can see the full attachment up front. I typically only stand up when I need that little extra visibility or if digging out a stump with the stump bucket. Then I stand the entire time for skid steer like visibility.

One of my CUT criteria when shopping was visibility and I didn't even look at anything that didn't have a seat height higher than the front of the hood. The JD CUTs are terrible. The seats are so low and hoods so high (with exception of the JD 110 which is awesome)

After purchasing my tractor, I build brackets to raise the seat a little more. This was to fit my long legs in the seated position, but it had the added benefit of increasing seated visibility.

I've been eyeing up the JD110 in our local cemetery where we take walks a few times a week. Pretty neat machine. Gets into really tight spaces between all the graves and has no problem lifting the concreted vaults into the holes.

 

[MossRoad]

If the Power-Trac had some kind of hydraulic rear hitch, or even an electrically actuated rear hitch, I probably would have coughed up the cash and learned how to work on it. Although I agree some attachments are better on the front, some are better on the rear. And dragging an attachment behind with no ability to lift it really limits the usability.

Like I said before, I think PT is a major step in the right direction of rethinking tractor design for non-farmer landowners. With a few more changes, it could be a nearly perfect solution.

Still waiting for an all-electric tractor.

I hear you. Some people need to perform certain tasks that require pulling power. I don't. :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

And this is what you look like!!
View attachment 574186

Exactly.... and I have the same hair, too! :laughing:

 

[airbiscuit]

First, let me say that I would like to own a Power Trac for its many uses around the yard. It fills a useful niche. It comes from a small manufacturer with lower overhead, and no dealer network which helps keep its cost down. It uses many off the shelf parts which also keeps thge cost down. Owners say they are easy to work on which is good news, but they also seem to work on them a lot which is bad news. Their industry code is lawn and garden equipment which is telling.

It would be interesting if they were bought out by someone like Kubota or Kioti to add to their stable. (an even better fit might be a major zero turn mower manufacturer who could expand their product line). I would expect the following design enhancements:

• More robust components
• 2 or 3 speed hydros
• Differential Lock(s) (mechanical of hydraulic)
• Rear 3 point
• Refined Ergonomics
• Larger Tires on Larger Models
• Bi-Directional
• PTO

Of course, with all that comes higher price. So maybe it is perfect for what it is. Just not sure you can say it is more perfect than a CUT :scratchchin:

 

[prof fate]

F

It would be interesting if they were bought out by someone like Kubota or Kioti to add to their stable. (an even better fit might be a major zero turn mower manufacturer who could expand their product line). I would expect the following design enhancements:

• More robust components
• 2 or 3 speed hydros
• Differential Lock(s) (mechanical of hydraulic)
• Rear 3 point
• Refined Ergonomics
• Larger Tires on Larger Models
• Bi-Directional
• PTO

Of course, with all that comes higher price. So maybe it is perfect for what it is. Just not sure you can say it is more perfect than a CUT :scratchchin:

you just described a tractor...

 

[gladehound]

Put a rotating operator platform on a modern CUT. Put the loader and the 3pt off the "rear" (i.e. big tire side). Put another 3 pt off the front and be done with it!

 

[MossRoad]

First, let me say that I would like to own a Power Trac for its many uses around the yard. It fills a useful niche. It comes from a small manufacturer with lower overhead, and no dealer network which helps keep its cost down. It uses many off the shelf parts which also keeps thge cost down. Owners say they are easy to work on which is good news, but they also seem to work on them a lot which is bad news. Their industry code is lawn and garden equipment which is telling.

It would be interesting if they were bought out by someone like Kubota or Kioti to add to their stable. (an even better fit might be a major zero turn mower manufacturer who could expand their product line). I would expect the following design enhancements:

• More robust components
• 2 or 3 speed hydros
• Differential Lock(s) (mechanical of hydraulic)
• Rear 3 point
• Refined Ergonomics
• Larger Tires on Larger Models
• Bi-Directional
• PTO

Of course, with all that comes higher price. So maybe it is perfect for what it is. Just not sure you can say it is more perfect than a CUT :scratchchin:

And don't forget, I'm not just talking about Power Tracs. There's all kinds of other machines out there. Ventrac. Avant. Tracked machines. Compact telehandlers. Look at European machines, the Swiss machines. There's so much out there. Keep an open mind, and try a few different machines out and see how they work and operate.

 

[4570Man]

Yeah, OK. :laughing:

It’ll take you 15-20 trips to move with I can do in one. If the ground is dry enough for you to make 20 trips it’s dry enough for me to make 1. I’ve dumped a little bit off the end directly into flowerbeds plenty of times. Woods might be a stretch but I’ve driven on trails through trees plenty of times. But never mind that. The power tract with its tiny bucket and 8 mph max travel speed is great for long distance hauls.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Companies have to be careful to remember their markets. Sure, you could build machines approaching perfection, and they would be too expensive for most markets. I think JD learned this lesson on the 110. It was a nice machine, and way over priced considering it was basically a 4000 series tractor.

 

[airbiscuit]

And don't forget, I'm not just talking about Power Tracs. There's all kinds of other machines out there. Ventrac. Avant. Tracked machines. Compact telehandlers. Look at European machines, the Swiss machines. There's so much out there. Keep an open mind, and try a few different machines out and see how they work and operate.

I hear you, but if you're going to do it right, they just get too expensive. Company design and marketing departments don't always get it right, but the market does. Look at how Bobcat revolutionized the industry. Their early skidsteer models were crude (a 6hp motor and a rear steering tail wheel), but they served a market so well, they grew and others followed.

If the small articulated machine was the "be all and end all", the market would respond and we would be asking if the Kubota Model was better than the John Deere Model.

I would think this thread and Moss Road have increased Power Trac sales by 10%, but it's not quite a trend yet.