Have I got this figured out?

[WarrenF]

Not being a member here for very long....I have enjoyed immensely the discussions and information presented. However, am I correct in assuming that most of the tractors being discussed, do not have adjustable wheels? Meaning if you wanted to plant corn in 36 inch rows, most of the tractors that people talk about on board can not adjust their wheels out to match that type of planting....or conversely if you wanted to plant 24 inch rows....no can do?

That seems to me to limit the uses for the tractor. They basically are an overgrown mower that has a front end loader and the ability to have a small backhoe or blade or rototiller. There is a Kioti dealer about ten miles from me and I will not even look at the tractors for that very reason.

Just thinking and wondering.

 

[hudr]

Well, there's lots of uses for tractors other than row-crop. We haven't row-cropped in years but I still use a tractor nearly every day. We put up hay in the summer, put out hay in the winter, blade the driveway (pretty solid 1/4 mile) push a little dirt around, pull stumps, pile brush, etc.
So, are most of the tractors on this board row-crop?..no. But, my 5005 Mahindra does have adjustable wheels to a point. Not as much as the 720 2-cylinder or the 4320 JD, but then I didn't buy it to row-crop. If I needed a row crop and had different width rows, I would buy one that did adjust. Kind of the train of thought of having specific tools for specific jobs. Ever try to overhaul an engine w/ just a Leatherman tool and a Crescent wrench?

 

[CharlieTR]

What size tractor are you looking for?
Mine goes from 55.25" to 75.25" for the rear wheels. I have a 52 HP (Gross) Long LongTrac, no longer sold in the US due to EPA regs. It is an Indian tractor they now call themselves FarmTrac and sell that older Ford design such as 3510, 6610 etc., with same paint scheme and everything.

Anyway, I am sure there are some models that can adjust the wheels. Big tractors do it with a press of a button, then move slowly.

 

[WarrenF]

My point is why limit yourself to just one type of use...when you can buy a tractor that will do all sorts of tractor things.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

My point is why limit yourself to just one type of use...when you can buy a tractor that will do all sorts of tractor things.

Like what? What tractor would be perfect for all sorts of tractor things?

You posted this in the Ag Tractors & Machinery board so I am assuming you realize that the guys who post in the forum generally have larger tractors with adjustable tread settings. I can also tell you that I have never needed to adjust any of my tread settings on any of my tractors. I can, but I don't need to.

So I have a question for you. Why pay extra for an option on a compact most people will never need. I am assuming you are referring to compacts with the overgrown mower statement.

 

[WarrenF]

Like what? What tractor would be perfect for all sorts of tractor things?

You posted this in the Ag Tractors & Machinery board so I am assuming you realize that the guys who post in the forum generally have larger tractors with adjustable tread settings. I can also tell you that I have never needed to adjust any of my tread settings on any of my tractors. I can, but I don't need to.

So I have a question for you. Why pay extra for an option on a compact most people will never need. I am assuming you are referring to compacts with the overgrown mower statement.

Well my thought process is like this. If you wish to plant a garden area, wouldn't it be nice to be able to hook a cultivator bar up and keep the garden clean? If you are farming a bigger plot in addition to all the other uses for a tractor....wouldn't it be nice to adjust your tread to fit the rows and be able to pull a spray rig through the field for weed control?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

If you plan on doing a good bit of plowing (w/ moldboard plow) track width USUALLY needs to be set to a proper width so the plow can follow centered behind the tractor and still have one wheel in the furrow.

Live in a hilly region? I do. I like to set the track width as wide as is practical during mowing season.

Planting a crop? From a field of corn to a simple big garden plot, row cropping ANY crop where you'll plant or cultivate with a tractor requires some adjustment OR adapting row width to whatever your tractor is set at. (The latter being unacceptable in many cases)

I personally like to have the option of setting track width to what I need rather than compromising to what I'm locked in at.

During the course of a typical summer, it's not uncommon for me to adjust track width on one or more of my tractors several times. (PAVT rear wheels are a gift from heaven!!!)

Your results may vary.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Well my thought process is like this. If you wish to plant a garden area, wouldn't it be nice to be able to hook a cultivator bar up and keep the garden clean? If you are farming a bigger plot in addition to all the other uses for a tractor....wouldn't it be nice to adjust your tread to fit the rows and be able to pull a spray rig through the field for weed control?

So if your uses require these task then you would order a tractor with an adjustable tread. If you are a general landowner who only uses the tractor for property maintainence then you don't need to adjust your tread any more then dishing the rims out or in when you first buy it.

Basically, if you are buying a tractor to farm with then you would order it with adjustable treads. If you are buying a tractor to use for loader work and general maintance then you do not "need" adjustable tread.

Did you try to buy a tractor that didn't have this option? What brought up this topic?

 

[WarrenF]

So if your uses require these task then you would order a tractor with an adjustable tread. If you are a general landowner who only uses the tractor for property maintainence then you don't need to adjust your tread any more then dishing the rims out or in when you first buy it.

Basically, if you are buying a tractor to farm with then you would order it with adjustable treads. If you are buying a tractor to use for loader work and general maintance then you do not "need" adjustable tread.

Did you try to buy a tractor that didn't have this option? What brought up this topic?

Nope I bought two tractors. I had thought much about a nice shiny new one....then realized that there was no adjustable width. Then, while enjoying this forum, I began to realize the discussions were primarily about tractors in the 25 to 35 horse power rating.....and no one talked about doing any "farming" work.

Now then if you have taken offense at my thinking out loud....sorry about that. It was simply an observation and a conclusion. As I stated on another post in this forum....I am partial to the older tractors....you know those that blow diesel smoke back into your face....and the ones you have to shift....but that is just my preference.

 

[bontai_Joe]

I'm kinda glad you DID post this as I learned something about why tractors have adjustable wheel widths now. Since I never used one for planting, I never really thought about row spacing and such.

 

[WarrenF]

I'm kinda glad you DID post this as I learned something about why tractors have adjustable wheel widths now. Since I never used one for planting, I never really thought about row spacing and such.

One of my tractors has a single front....I like the single front or tricycle front quite a bit. Seems they come around much quicker when you need to make a sharp turn, like at the end of a row....more so than those with the wide front end. Also they are much easier to adjust the wheel width....since you are only making adjustments to the back wheels. That being said, wheel width adjustment is a good thing, in my opinion.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Nope I bought two tractors. I had thought much about a nice shiny new one....then realized that there was no adjustable width. Then, while enjoying this forum, I began to realize the discussions were primarily about tractors in the 25 to 35 horse power rating.....and no one talked about doing any "farming" work.

Now then if you have taken offense at my thinking out loud....sorry about that. It was simply an observation and a conclusion. As I stated on another post in this forum....I am partial to the older tractors....you know those that blow diesel smoke back into your face....and the ones you have to shift....but that is just my preference.

I didn't take offense to your post. Only trying to figure out what caused you to start it.

The only hydro tractor I have is a Cub Cadet lawnmower. Everything else is gear.

 

[LBrown59]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/115596-expand-wheelbase.html?highlight=widest

 

[slowzuki]

Not a lot of row crop up here but it is muddy and most farmers have utility tractors and most are mfwd's. Not many frequently adjusted mfwd's because flipping rims and discs is a pain in the arse.

Everyone who cultivates here sets their rims to match and sticks with a row width. There is little need for easily adjustable widths. People do pop their duals off frequently so the inner set is usually left in one spot.

I mostly hay so I have no need to set my rims to different settings, I put them out wide when I got it and thats it.

 

[Harold_J]

If you plan on doing a good bit of plowing (w/ moldboard plow) track width USUALLY needs to be set to a proper width so the plow can follow centered behind the tractor and still have one wheel in the furrow.

Live in a hilly region? I do. I like to set the track width as wide as is practical during mowing season.

Planting a crop? From a field of corn to a simple big garden plot, row cropping ANY crop where you'll plant or cultivate with a tractor requires some adjustment OR adapting row width to whatever your tractor is set at. (The latter being unacceptable in many cases)

I personally like to have the option of setting track width to what I need rather than compromising to what I'm locked in at.

During the course of a typical summer, it's not uncommon for me to adjust track width on one or more of my tractors several times. (PAVT rear wheels are a gift from heaven!!!)

Your results may vary.

I agree, you should be able to adjust the wheels. Even if it's not something you'd want to do every day you should be able to adjust the wheels for the job you have to do. I looked at Kubota M series last year which is supposed to be a utility tractor suitable for ag use and there was virtually no adjustment on the 4WD front wheels. I don't think you could set it for proper plowing with a 3X plow. The comparable JD 5000 series and New Holland TN's have plenty of adjustment front and rear so what gives with the Kubota's?

What good is it to be able to adjust the rear wheels and not the front, you would usually want them to track in the same path even if not using for row crop work? You wouldn't want to have 2 sets of tracks going across the field or thru the snow or whatever.

When you get down to CUT machines, which one would think might be good replacements for the small ag tractors of 20-30 years ago, there is virtually no adjustment. Even a Ford 8N could be adjusted every which way. Trying to find that in a current 25-35 hp tractor is almost impossible, especially if you want FWD.

 

[CumminsLuke]

I don't know, seems like a lot of talk about nothing. If the tread won't adjust the way you want it, get something else. I am a hay and stock farmer. My Kubota M7040 does everything I like it to do. NOBODY cultivates in my part of the country anymore, and maybe 10% do their own spraying. The rest hire the local custom sprayer to do it. Mine works out good for me. But I guess maybe I am not a "real" farmer either?

 

[WarrenF]

I don't know, seems like a lot of talk about nothing. If the tread won't adjust the way you want it, get something else. I am a hay and stock farmer. My Kubota M7040 does everything I like it to do. NOBODY cultivates in my part of the country anymore, and maybe 10% do their own spraying. The rest hire the local custom sprayer to do it. Mine works out good for me. But I guess maybe I am not a "real" farmer either?

Oh brother!!! Let me think....no one suggested that IF you own a tractor that doesn't have an adjustment capability, you would not be a "real" farmer. I posted my thoughts and observation. You bought a Kubota....good for you. My thought and observation was simply expressing my preference, and my observation about most of the tractors being talked about here.

Doesn't make them good or bad...it just is. If you find that the Kubota is the best for scraping manure, and hauling bales, or hauling feed wagons....buy two of them.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Over the years, I've seen countless thousands of arguements on "what constitutes a REAL FARMER". Some people think you have to be a grain farmer. Many don't believe a real farmer can have an off-farm job too. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Personally, I've always thought a REAL FARMER made an INCOME and a LIFESTYLE, where a "hobby farmer" was after the LIFESTYLE and if there happened to be some income, so much the better.

It has NOTHING to do with what your specialty is. Crops, cattle, horses, trees, hay, whatever, it's all "farming", just maybe or maybe NOT done by a "real farmer".

Equipment needs are different for a truck farmer than a feedlot operator. What serves a 5,000 acre grain farmer in central Illinois has absolutely no bearing on what a the 45 acre beef cattle operator in Kentucky needs. What works for a California almond grower is of little use to a Kansas wheat farmer. That's why they build all these different types of tractors. Seldom do two end users have the same needs.

If you NEED adjustable row crop capabilities, nothing short of that will do. If you DON'T need it, you simply don't need it.

 

[CumminsLuke]

You know, after all this talk, I went home last night and looked at my 7040 and it has four different settings for the front and rear wheels.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

You know, after all this talk, I went home last night and looked at my 7040 and it has four different settings for the front and rear wheels.

Guess that makes you a REAL FARMER now, huh?