ventrac/steiner tall issues

[Tony H]

Looking at these two units. I am used to a compact tractor where the hood slopes down making good viewing of front implements. The ventrac and Steiner have very straight vertical hoods, is it very hard to operate any front implement because you are driving blind?

 

[MossRoad]

I think that would depend on the model of Ventrac you are looking at. They show some models with a hood way out front, and others where the operator is sitting in front of the engine with their feet almost over the mower.

 

[murphy1244]

I think that would depend on the model of Ventrac you are looking at. They show some models with a hood way out front, and others where the operator is sitting in front of the engine with their feet almost over the mower.

The 4000 series has the hood and the 3000 series has the rear engine.

 

[Industrial Toys]

What is it you want to see?

 

[prs]

I own and operate a 4500 series with contour mower, side discharge mower, rough cut, and rotary broom. No problem seeing anything. Lot more visual than the rear implements of my compact utility.

prs

 

[Tony H]

What is it you want to see?

Lets see, When using the Bucket loader, I'd like to see that the Blade is level for level scooping. For Brooming I'd like to see the very front of the Broom dead center so I can bring it right up to the edge of something. For snow plowing I'd like to be able to see dead center so I can pull up to a garage door and back blade the snow away. I want to see everything, if that hood is a blind spot then there is danger if hitting something.

Yes, I was referring to the 4000 series, not the Cab-over 3000 series

 

[prs]

Well, this is a relatively small machine with driver of average height well above the top of the relatively short hood. But wanting to see the front edge of a rotary broom or leading edge of an implement from behind, I think you would need some sort of camera or those feeler things they used to sell little old ladies with Cadillac Fleetwood sedans so they can park without hitting the building or such. All razzing aside, this is one of the most visually oriented machines I have operated. Most operators quickly get the "feel" of where the blade or brush or bucket is, so they know where they are and when to stop.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I don't have the slightest clue how you can see through your attachment. You have to look at the sides anyway, and no hood is in the way of that. The stupid little flip scoop or whatever they call it, has flats on the top edges that are in line with the bottom, like many buckets so you look at that for level. Again, out to the sides beyoond your hood.

 

[sandman2234]

525 has a flat hood also.
David from jax

 

[johara1]

Lets see, When using the Bucket loader, I'd like to see that the Blade is level for level scooping. For Brooming I'd like to see the very front of the Broom dead center so I can bring it right up to the edge of something. For snow plowing I'd like to be able to see dead center so I can pull up to a garage door and back blade the snow away. I want to see everything, if that hood is a blind spot then there is danger if hitting something.

Yes, I was referring to the 4000 series, not the Cab-over 3000 series

Having had both and a powertrac, you are a 100% right the rear engine ones. You can see what you are doing, powertrac was the best on the bucket, stump grinder and the rest of the attachments far as being able to see and do accurate work. if Ventrac would make a 3000 series built with the heavier trans axles like the 4500s I would go back to one in a minute. I never saw anything as stupid as a mirror for a stump grinder. A skid steer has the engine in the rear same as loaders, you want the weight in the rear to pick up things in the front. Most people are farm tractor schooled, engine in the front and pick up things in the back, and ride around looking backwards. For mowing grass and a slip scoop and a snow blade the 3000 is very good and you can see what you are doing even with a stump grinder you don't need a mirror, or add weights..... jim

 

[polio]

Steiner attachments are not user friendly. I am going to add an adapter to accept dingo/boxer implements. I have done it using standard skid steer but it’s a bit too large so I’m moving down to a mini skid steer. Has anyone else done this before.

 

[johara1]

Steiner attachments are not user friendly. I am going to add an adapter to accept dingo/boxer implements. I have done it using standard skid steer but it’s a bit too large so I’m moving down to a mini skid steer. Has anyone else done this before.

You add the weight of the adaptor and may not be able to pick anything up, and those little arms aren't made for horsing anything around. I don't see why they aren't user friendly, they go on easy...... jim

 

[Industrial Toys]

They certainly aren't user friendly to your ankles in a dark driveshed.

And they certainly are not quite as easy to take on and off as the manufacturers would make you believe.

 

[johara1]

They certainly aren't user friendly to your ankles in a dark driveshed.

And they certainly are not quite as easy to take on and off as the manufacturers would make you believe.

You are right about the ankles, and PT. has them all beat for easy attaching. I do mine from off the seat and they go together pretty fast, except for the quick couplers and you have to get the pressure off of them to connect.... jim

 

[MossRoad]

PT's quick attach system is awsome. 15 seconds to drop an implement and pick up another one without getting off the seat is crazy fast. If it's a powered implement, you have to get off and pop a couple hose quick connects, so add 30 seconds. Still ridiculously simple and fast. :thumbsup:

 

[johara1]

PT's quick attach system is awsome. 15 seconds to drop an implement and pick up another one without getting off the seat is crazy fast. If it's a powered implement, you have to get off and pop a couple hose quick connects, so add 30 seconds. Still ridiculously simple and fast. :thumbsup:

Mr. you are right on, now if they would build a mower that you could push up hill and a weight transfer system that is simple and would keep from pick the front wheels up. Address the the rear wheels on the mower tearing the yard up, there would be one sitting here by spring...... jim

 

[MossRoad]

Mr. you are right on, now if they would build a mower that you could push up hill and a weight transfer system that is simple and would keep from pick the front wheels up. Address the the rear wheels on the mower tearing the yard up, there would be one sitting here by spring...... jim

The larger units have draft control. The 400 series don't. However, what year was your old PT? They changed the wheel motors to larger displacement since I purchased my 2001 model year. I don't know when. But it should have increased the hill climbing ability while mowing.

 

[johara1]

The larger units have draft control. The 400 series don't. However, what year was your old PT? They changed the wheel motors to larger displacement since I purchased my 2001 model year. I don't know when. But it should have increased the hill climbing ability while mowing.

MR. I had changed my wheel motors and it upped the torque by 25% and engine to a 25 hp. that is not the issue it is how the PT rides up on the arms while in float with the way the mower is mounted. The rear wheels on the mower cut in while making a turn on soft ground. They did make draft control for the 425 but it was very complicated and expensive. They need something Ventrac with a springs, I had fooled with that some.... jim

 

[MossRoad]

The only time I've ever had the unit ride up over the mower is if the mower deck front wheels got embedded in soft sand or mud. On a lawn with hills that's never happened to me. I do agree that the solid rigidly mounted rear wheels on the mower deck will dig in on tight turns. It needs rear casters. Not much room to put them in there, but that would help immensely.

They've not offered a draft control on the 400 series that I know of since 2001, when I purchased mine.

 

[johara1]

The only time I've ever had the unit ride up over the mower is if the mower deck front wheels got embedded in soft sand or mud. On a lawn with hills that's never happened to me. I do agree that the solid rigidly mounted rear wheels on the mower deck will dig in on tight turns. It needs rear casters. Not much room to put them in there, but that would help immensely.

They've not offered a draft control on the 400 series that I know of since 2001, when I purchased mine.

It was along time ago, but they have never tried to improve on the design. That is pushing 20 years and the same old thing, and just maybe if they made a side discharge you could run a roller in the back, that way it wouldn't windrow against the one wheel..... jim