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Mowing makes me think too much
While mowing my field with a little TC29 and 5 foot mower, I think a lot (yes, it hurts). Why do compact 4x4 tractors need those eedy beedy tires up front? I think they serve no purpose at all except cost savings. I want a 4x4 compact that has front tires the same size as the rear tires, and has 4 wheel steering. Front and rear wheels would only need to turn a few degrees, so linkages could be short and beefy. But what do I know?
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Mowing makes me think too much
Could I sell you a Stiener? Or how about a clean used Ford County, 2plus2 IH? I normally like to mow lawn to have a free moment to finish thinking what I was being interrupted on the rest of the day!
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Mowing makes me think too much
Art, To be honest, mowing does clear my mind out. Sure stuffs up my sinuses though. But really, aren't small tires up front on a utility tractor a relic of the past? As long as the front and rear wheels follow the same track, why not have the same size tires? Big tires with 4 wheel steering should be much better for any purpose.
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Mowing makes me think too much
Thoose small tires give you the tighter turning radius that you need to mow in tight areas. I don't think an articulated unit can match the turning radius of a compact. Right?
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Mowing makes me think too much
I once heard that a customer that I helped pick bigger front tires for his two wheeled drive tractor couldn't turn as well as he did before. This goes back about 20 years ago and the reason was the tractor was being used as a loader tractor for feed mixing. When we put the larger fronts on he couldn't just drive out the way he was and cut it back in the other building but had to make it twice. Bigger front tires don't turn as tight, don't ask me why other then you just turned a larger diameter tire and it makes a bigger circle.
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Mowing makes me think too much
Mrwurm, I realize the smaller tires help the turning radius. I did mention 4 wheel steering however. 4 wheel steering would make very tight turns without much steering input. Articulated is not for me. Too expensive and too many things to go wrong. It would make a compact tractor either larger or weaker.
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Mowing makes me think too much
Art, close your eyes and imagine a shiny new compact tractor with front tires the same as the usual rear tires, and 4 wheel steering. Imagine all the possibilities! FEL work much improved, quick connect front mower deck, etc. And just imagine how cool it would look. Just like a 1/2 scale monster farm tractor!
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Mowing makes me think too much
Excavators have stuck with smaller tires up front so I would assume that there is a tighter turning radius.
Deer and other large tractors would crab steer both the front and back ends. Remember the back does not necessarily follow the front but cuts tighter than the front on a curve. This is speed dependent.
The system that GM uses has another computer to control the rear stearing with speed. Actually turns the opposite direction at slow speed. Seems like a complicated system for a tractor. The system in the Volvo V70 uses is simpler and allows torsion beam flex to stear the rear wheels, but provides no advantage at low speeds.
Articulated tractors steer much tighter than a regular tractor. I have not driven a small articulated tractor only large JD and Cat loaders, but you could never manuver a regular wheeled loader in the spaces you can with articulation. A large loader has a shorter turning radius than a pick up.
All the big farm tractors are articulate. It would take the whole field to turn around with out it. Steiner, Ventrac and Powertrac which are primarily mowing machines are all articulated.
Food for thought.
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Mowing makes me think too much
Yes, 4 wheel steering has a funny pivoting action that could take some getting used to. This would be fine at normal tractor speeds, and excellent for FEL and mowing work. The real wheel streering could be disengaged for the road.
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Mowing makes me think too much
I have some friends that had the Deere. The front and back would act like the super steer system on the NH. On the highway you could easily be taking up both lanes if you forgot to disable before moving down the road.
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