Heavy Duty Compact Tractor

   / Heavy Duty Compact Tractor #1  

yooperdave

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I have seen lots of pictures of damaged compact tractors and associated loader parts - mostly due to overstress / overloading. Who makes a commercial grade heavy duty loader tractor - regardless of price? I have always liked Kubota for a stout piece of equipment. Any others? TIA Yooper Dave
 
   / Heavy Duty Compact Tractor #3  
I have seen lots of pictures of damaged compact tractors and associated loader parts - mostly due to overstress / overloading. Who makes a commercial grade heavy duty loader tractor - regardless of price? I have always liked Kubota for a stout piece of equipment. Any others? TIA Yooper Dave
Forget about brands. Find tractors with loaders and look at their weight.
The heavier the tractor, usually the heavier-duty the tractor.
Other things to look for are the GPM of the pump and the size/construction of the wheels/tires.

More GPM is usually going to result in stronger hydraulics and better lifting capacity.
Larger wheels & tires usually result in greater load capacity. Better yet, find cast center rear wheels.
I would also avoid tractors with aluminum pumps, PTO’s and other housings. Look for cast iron instead.

You know who makes a real heavy duty loader tractor? Ever see those Case or Ford loader tractors without the backhoe? Some people call them a “skip loader”.
 
   / Heavy Duty Compact Tractor #5  
Who makes a commercial grade heavy duty loader tractor - regardless of price? I have always liked Kubota for a stout piece of equipment. Any others?

You want something HD, forget all the compacts and buy a "farm" tractor. Farm tractors are MUCH heavier duty than the compacts and will take more abuse/heavy work.

I now have, and have had several others of both, no comparison when it comes to HD.

SR
 
   / Heavy Duty Compact Tractor
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Who makes a commercial grade heavy duty loader tractor - regardless of price? I have always liked Kubota for a stout piece of equipment. Any others?

You want something HD, forget all the compacts and buy a "farm" tractor. Farm tractors are MUCH heavier duty than the compacts and will take more abuse/heavy work.

I now have, and have had several others of both, no comparison when it comes to HD.

SR
I was thinking of the yellow commercial loader tractors, but they get big in a hurry.
 
   / Heavy Duty Compact Tractor #7  
Who makes a commercial grade heavy duty loader tractor - regardless of price? I have always liked Kubota for a stout piece of equipment. Any others?

You want something HD, forget all the compacts and buy a "farm" tractor. Farm tractors are MUCH heavier duty than the compacts and will take more abuse/heavy work.

I now have, and have had several others of both, no comparison when it comes to HD.

SR

I agree!
What would be the smallest "farm tractor" in your opinion?

I bought about 900 hour used 86 Ford 1310 for $6000 about 26 years ago and we have used it for all kinds of projects around the property but I don't consider it to be a farm tractor, however it's been excellent for my needs and served us very well.

It's more heavy duty than current models are.

So far spare parts have been available for what little I have needed.


5766.png RearviewII.png July 4, 2002.JPG
 
   / Heavy Duty Compact Tractor #8  
to me, a "heavy duty compact tractor" seems almost a contradiction of terms. in the Kubota line, believe "farm" is considered a "utility" M series tractor that is considerably larger & heavier than a compact.

seems to me that an excessively heavy loader FEL can be a safety liability on a compact unless rears are loaded & with ballast in back. but also could be tippy on a slope.

i do agree w/ Hay Dude that this subject is all about tractor weight.
correct me, think that on Kubota FELS the model number closely equates to the kilogram limit of the FEL 24" from pins.

in general, this being primarily a Sub/Compact forum, i notice many instances where operators push their smaller machines over the limit on tasks jeopardizing safety & machine.

having said hat, i'm not acquainted with the Compact market & the OP could very well find something that fits the bill. these are just my general thoughts on safe Compact use. regards
OP: good luck in your search.
 
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   / Heavy Duty Compact Tractor #9  
About the only compact I know that could sustain some serious loader work is probably the Fiat 35-66. Arguably one of the best compact tractors ever made.

One of the best things about this tractor is that it has planetary final drives on both front and rear axles. This axle design can handle some serious abuse.

I don't think these ever made to US though.

1757016726784.jpeg


On the other hand, if the OP is looking for an heavy duty tractor just because of loader work, might as well just get a machine that was actually built to be a loader.

Those smaller articulated wheel loaders, like those Avant, Giant, MultiOne and other makes, are designed and built to be a loader. Can handle all the abuse you can put on those. Offer faster and smooth hydraulics with a lot more reach using the telescoping boom.

More expensive than a tractor? Sure but then again, it's built to be a loader.

1757016976305.png
 
   / Heavy Duty Compact Tractor #10  
What would be the smallest "farm tractor" in your opinion?

Smallest farm tractor, for instance, in the Kubota line, is the "M" series, and they (as do most others) call them "ag" tractors.

BUT even the M series Kubota's are pretty light for the HP.

SR
 

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