Mountain Tractor Choices (hills, slopes, pasture, forest)

[sinthome]

Hi, I am looking for a tractor, primarily as a better option than my John Deere Gator 6x4 for transporting a loaded trailer on steeply sloped terrain. As long as I am upgrading, I'd also like it to perform other tasks, firstly brush cutting and then wood chipping, followed by lifting/moving 2,000# pallets and scooping dirt. Another thing that is guiding my decision is that I am pretty committed to reducing soil compaction as much as possible. The Gator is perfect for this and it is proving hard to find a tractor that even comes close. So far, my choices (ranked from cheapest to most expensive) appear to be--

-sticking with the Gator, no additional capabilities, but maybe increasing stability with dual wheels to the rear (posted about this idea here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/atvs-utility-vehicles/371934-duals-6x4-gator.html#post4607601)
-an antique lo-boy compact tractor, wide turf tires or duals
-a newer compact tractor with added spacers and hopefully swapping the wheels for turfs or maybe duals
-or a used Power Trac (PT-1430 or PT-1850).

I will probably burn up the belt and clutch on the Gator if I keep working it too hard.. so maybe that isn't ultimately the cheapest option.

I found THIS at an auction that I am curious about--

TractorHouse.com | 1965 INTERNATIONAL 2424 For Sale
International 2424 Lo-Boy | Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia

Any idea what the final selling price might be? I am worried that the collectors might get in on it and push it out of my budget. I also wonder how practical of a daily tractor it would be.. I've never owned any multiple decades old farm equipment before.

Are there newer models that could be set up this way safely? I have been hunting for a similar set of wheels but can't find anything this wide.

What is the best 30-40hp tractor candidate for lowering/duals/axle spacers? Ideally something HST and not more then 15 years old?

Other options? I'd love to hear about them!

 

[fatjay]

I had a lo-boy. Loved that tractor. Huge turf tires were very easy on the grass, but it's weight and tire size gave me great traction to pull felled tree's without issue. It mowed like a champ with a 60" woods belly mower. Always started easily, and worked hard, but was a bit thirsty compared to my ferguson. Good turning radius, solid transmission, bulletproof engine. Underside was always dry, never leaked a drop of oil. Mine was a gas, i'd go diesel if you have the option.

Don't have much input on newer machines, i'm more of an old tractor guy. Typically if it's been running for 40 years, and well cared for, it'll run for 40 more. Minor things might go, but it's never been something significant for me. More like maintenance. I had to replace the hoses on my TLB last year, $500 and a day's work, but now i have all new hoses. I change my fluids in the fall, and that alone seems to keep everything running well.

 

[bcp]

In your situation, I would probably look for one of the low, wide orchard tractors. (Not the regular tractors modified with the fancy fenders)

Here's one:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/287395-ford-800-wide-track.html

Another:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...p-kubota-tractor-post1671027.html#post1671027

Bruce

 

[sinthome]

Is there a good primer to owning a tractor almost as old as my parents? I feel pretty ignorant, but I guess they are simple enough machines.

But, I am wondering for example what the 2ft lift capacity might be on that Lo-Boy 3PH. Could it easily carry a 1,000# chipper or a 4x5 round bale? How about responsiveness of a FEL, does the age significantly affect hydraulics performance?

A deal-breaker for my purposes might be the lack of 4wd and poor downhill braking ability. And another problem is just finding suitable antique tractors! There is no simple keyword to search for and 90% of the time posts on enthusiast forums are the only results.

 

[bcp]

Something like this may be the modern version.

http://www.kubota.com/product/MSeries/M9960.aspx

Specialty Tractors | 615M Low-Profile Tractor | John Deere US

Bruce

 

[bcp]

There is no simple keyword to search for and 90% of the time posts on enthusiast forums are the only results.

Try this for low, wide tractors.

low profile tractor - Google Search

Bruce

 

[sinthome]

Hmmm... I still don't see anything coming in under 2 tons, which is what I want. If I search "smallest low profile tractor", nothing but Italy comes up (ie outside the budget). Those 5 ton orchard tractors are just way too much tractor for my needs.

Another strategy that I am investigating-- what newer 4wd compact tractor could I get a set of these onto? They also need 18in rims--

21.5L16.1 Firestone Turf and Field Tractor Tire (1 Ply) (TL)

 

[sinthome]

I think I found a Ford 531 LCG--
Ford 531 Low Profile Utility Tractor - Steve Conley Sales - Duluth, Minnesota - Used Machinery and Farm Equipment

Still not 4wd.. not sure if that is a huge problem or not.

 

[CADplans]

I think I found a Ford 531 LCG--
Ford 531 Low Profile Utility Tractor - Steve Conley Sales - Duluth, Minnesota - Used Machinery and Farm Equipment

Still not 4wd.. not sure if that is a huge problem or not.

That will be a nice tractor for some things,,, but,,,
the tractor will pull,,, but it is not equipped to lift. A tractor for me must lift,,, period.

So,,,
1) How do you lift 2,000 pound pallets?

2) NEVER point that tractor down a grade,,, that you will have to back up,,, it will not do that,,, EVER.

3) No loader,,, no sale,,, IMHO.....

I live in about the same mountains as you do,,, my 584 with FWA & loader is perfect.
Lift 2,000#,,, back up a steep hill,,, I have reclaimed many tons of stone frome the mountain behind my house with it.

 

[MultiMow]

Hi, I am looking for a tractor, primarily as a better option than my John Deere Gator 6x4 for transporting a loaded trailer on steeply sloped terrain. As long as I am upgrading, I'd also like it to perform other tasks, firstly brush cutting and then wood chipping, followed by lifting/moving 2,000# pallets and scooping dirt. Another thing that is guiding my decision is that I am pretty committed to reducing soil compaction as much as possible. The Gator is perfect for this and it is proving hard to find a tractor that even comes close. So far, my choices (ranked from cheapest to most expensive) appear to be--

-sticking with the Gator, no additional capabilities, but maybe increasing stability with dual wheels to the rear (posted about this idea here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/atvs-utility-vehicles/371934-duals-6x4-gator.html#post4607601)
-an antique lo-boy compact tractor, wide turf tires or duals
-a newer compact tractor with added spacers and hopefully swapping the wheels for turfs or maybe duals
-or a used Power Trac (PT-1430 or PT-1850).

I will probably burn up the belt and clutch on the Gator if I keep working it too hard.. so maybe that isn't ultimately the cheapest option.

I found THIS at an auction that I am curious about--

TractorHouse.com | 1965 INTERNATIONAL 2424 For Sale
International 2424 Lo-Boy | Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia

Any idea what the final selling price might be? I am worried that the collectors might get in on it and push it out of my budget. I also wonder how practical of a daily tractor it would be.. I've never owned any multiple decades old farm equipment before.

Are there newer models that could be set up this way safely? I have been hunting for a similar set of wheels but can't find anything this wide.

What is the best 30-40hp tractor candidate for lowering/duals/axle spacers? Ideally something HST and not more then 15 years old?

Other options? I'd love to hear about them!

1st- what's your price cap?

 

[sinthome]

NEVER point that tractor down a grade

Ehh, that's what I feared. So my rarer than hen's teeth proposition has gotten worse. Do you ever remove the FEL? How long does it take? All said, I like the 584 but it is really tipping the scales for the gentle treading requirement.

It seems that, of the current models of tractor, Mahindra has inherited the wide stance of the older IH. According to online specs, the Mahindra 4035 and 3540 are both about 10in+ wider than the widest from Bota, NH, JD, etc. in that weight range. I have no idea if the axles are actually set out that much further or if it is just different wheel adjustments.

As much as it irks me to be obligated to use a trailer chipper instead of PTO-driven 3ph, I wonder if the Power Trac isn't going to be the best thing for every other situation that I have. Nothing beats the looks and simplicity of an antique, but I still haven't seen something that will easily navigate 30deg slopes and especially not float over it.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[prichard]

Telehandler if you can afford one.

 

[sinthome]

I don't want to spend over $20k with attachments and whatever I save can go into a nicer chipper unit (right now I use the BCS for chipping and it is not happening). Telehandlers are cool but too expensive, single purposed and heavy.

 

[roadhunter]

Telehandler is probably the best choice. Another option might be a mid sized articulated tractor with duals but I can't say I've ever seen one that size with a loader. Sounds like it will end up being a neat piece of equipment whatever you end up with.

 

[MultiMow]

I don't want to spend over $20k with attachments and whatever I save can go into a nicer chipper unit (right now I use the BCS for chipping and it is not happening). Telehandlers are cool but too expensive, single purposed and heavy.

Do you really need the telescopic action?

If not, you should have a look at the new Avant 200 series.

Traction units start around 14 or $15k, brand new with warranty.

If you're looking to buy used, a Jacobsen G-series is your cheapest buy in for a proper hillside tractor... if you can find one.

Were it not for your desire to properly handle 2,000lb pallets, the rest of your duties could be well served by a Steiner/Ventrac. Another option would be a front mount unit, such the Kubota F-series, New Holland CM-series, Hustler 3700, Toro Groundsmaster, etc. These are all great hillside machines, and are inherently gentle on turf.

If the Avant doesn't suit you, and the pallet forks are a must-have... your best bet is your aforementioned PowerTrac.

 

[sinthome]

Ok... so the old Jacobsen garden tractors don't even top 20hp. Under-sized for my applications. The Avant thing is interesting. Never heard of that before, it looks like a playground toy or maybe one of those new-fangled shopping carts you see these days. Sorry, don't mean to sound snarky, but this is turning into a little bit of a Goldilocks exercise. At this point, I mostly just want to be talked out of getting a used PT-1850. That is the one to beat, imo. Granted it is kinda hobbled by the hydraulic-only pto. But besides that I think it will work pretty pretty good for my purposes. I still think old tractors look so much better.. it's just the PT seems so safe and easy!

 

[MultiMow]

Ok... so the old Jacobsen garden tractors don't even top 20hp. Under-sized for my applications. The Avant thing is interesting. Never heard of that before, it looks like a playground toy or maybe one of those new-fangled shopping carts you see these days. Sorry, don't mean to sound snarky, but this is turning into a little bit of a Goldilocks exercise. At this point, I mostly just want to be talked out of getting a used PT-1850. That is the one to beat, imo. Granted it is kinda hobbled by the hydraulic-only pto. But besides that I think it will work pretty pretty good for my purposes. I still think old tractors look so much better.. it's just the PT seems so safe and easy!

I don't know what Jacobsen you were looking at...

...but a Jacobsen G 4x4 is a rebadged Bucher TM 850.

These are 4wd, 4 wheel steering, high flotation, front and rear 3pt. hitch, with 35-45hp Kubota diesels.

They rarely go for over $5k, and the closest comparable competition model is an Aebi 77... which would set you back about $15k more than the Jacobsen/Butcher.

 

[sinthome]

Ok, if it is the same as Aebi and Bucher then yeah it is pretty ideal, just impossible to find. I located a beater TT77 but then there is no parts availability for Aebi, either.

Looking closer at Avant, the 200 series is just too tiny to be of use, but hot **** if that 600 series isn't the real mammajamma If I had a couple hundred k lying around...
Avant Loader 635 Show - Bauma 216 - YouTube
The articulation and balance looks really well-designed.

 

[sinthome]

"Avant 635" fiera Villa Vomano Teramo - YouTube

Finland, man. Wow. I call this thing the hand of god.

216 AVANT 42 Wheel Loaders | eBay
The 420 is just a little undersized, but at $30k in new condition, makes me hopeful for finding a used 5 or 600 series. Doubles my budget, but I question how much constant shop time the PT would need to keep it working. Might ultimately make sense. Choices, choices. If someone was selling a lightly used Avant 6xx that came in under $30k, I wouldn't be able to say no.

 

[MultiMow]

Ok, if it is the same as Aebi and Bucher then yeah it is pretty ideal, just impossible to find. I located a beater TT77 but then there is no parts availability for Aebi, either.

Looking closer at Avant, the 200 series is just too tiny to be of use, but hot **** if that 600 series isn't the real mammajamma If I had a couple hundred k lying around...
Avant Loader 635 Show - Bauma 216 - YouTube
The articulation and balance looks really well-designed.

No doubt. It takes a bit of getting used to on the steering/eye coordination.

I demo'd their range in Louisville this year. You'd be surprised at the power that 200 series has. It's not much on transit speed, but it'll do nearly anything you'd ask of it in a property maintenance application.

But I understand... you want what you want, and being happy with your purchase is highly important.

What are you waitin' for? Go buy that PowerTrac and get to work!

Lol