Tricycle tractors

ridgelane · Jan 5, 2012

I've never been exposed to tricycle tractors in my part of the country. I've see the odd one at different places or photos of them.

I decided it would be nice to have one of these machines. Which companies made tricycles and what horsepower sizes do you find out there?

Thinking that if I was to get another tractor, it should be a useful machine. I'd be looking for a tractor in the in 45 to 60 HP range. What make and/or model would fit that bill?

Thanks for any suggestions..

BCnT · Jan 5, 2012

i dont think any of the tractor builders didnt offer a narrow front end in your HP range...they quit making them quite awhile back tho.

NY 986 · Jan 5, 2012

All the US manufacturers made them either with single or 2 wheel configurations. Some made quite a number while others made few and maybe did not nave such a design in their line-up in certain years. Ford to my knowledge did not have an N series available as a tricycle. Considerably less tricycles were sold in the Great Plains versus other areas of the US.
I would look at something made in the 1960's as it would have a lot of modern conveniences such as hydraulically controlled HI-LO, power steering, power brakes, etc. Maybe something such as an IH 706, John Deere 2510 or 3020, Oliver 1550 (no power brakes). I would check out online sites such as Tractor House or Machine Finder (John Deere) which can filter selections by when something was produced and horsepower.

rrlund · Jan 5, 2012

Did you ever see a White 2-70 with a narrow front? I was looking at Whites on tractorhouse the other day,here in Michigan,came across one. Neat lookin outfit.

James Howell · Jan 5, 2012

The John Deere Model 70 is a 50hp "tricycle" tractor.

"15" our <a href="http://youtu.be/FF2ZvzW3LW0">1953 Model 70</a> is used to power the KRONE 125 baler.

"Vernon" our <a href="http://youtu.be/l7iUmB_EZQ0">1956 Model 70</a> is used to power the JD 350 sickle mower.

"Big John" our <a href="http://youtu.be/AUc5FTFeOLA">1955 Model 70 Diesel</a> is used to power the KRONE 260 baler.

"1011" our <a href="http://youtu.be/K90WAt5gS0w">1953 Model 70</a> is used as a backup tractor for various jobs on the farm.

David G · Jan 5, 2012

They are very nice for moving wagons around in close spaces. I would rather have a wide front for all else. The wide fronts handle wet places better and ride easier on the road.

Fordfarmer · Jan 5, 2012

Ford started building them in '55, as the 700 (32 h.p) and 900 (45 h.p.) series. The last models they built with a narrow front option were the 6600, 7600, 8600, and 9600 in '76. Models in your h.p. range would include the 900, 901, 4-cyl. 4000 RC, 3-cyl. 4000 RC (also called 4200), and 5000 RC(or 5200). Late 5200's (and the 6600 RC that replaced it for 1976 only) are a bit higher h.p., at 67 and 70.
Here's a link for one in the picture ads on this site... (not mine)
7000 RC 7200

NY 986 · Jan 5, 2012

No, I have not. I'll have to jump on there and see.

ridgelane · Jan 5, 2012

Fords are not a tractor that was ever popular around here. I know of one farmer who moved into the area probably back in the late 60's, who brought a Ford with him. Other than that, no Fords.

Any idea how they compare in durability to JD or IH?

Anonymous-0 · Jan 5, 2012

Try Allis Chalmers, good cheap HP, D-15, 45HP, D17, 55 HP, D-19, 66/72HP, all available with a NF.

showcrop · Jan 5, 2012

Here ya go.

Fordfarmer · Jan 5, 2012

I have all Fords, ranging from a '53 Jubilee to an '89 TW35 with FWA. Nothing under 7000 hours any more. My 4600 (my Grandpa bought it new in '80) is torn down to be rebuilt right now due to a cavitation hole in a cylinder wall. Has 8649 hours on it, and the rod bearings and ring end gaps are still within spec. Mains were just .0015" beyond spec. TW35 (bought used)was rebuilt last year, Jubilee has been rebuilt twice, 7000 (Grandpa bought it new in '75) has 4500+ hours on a rebuild, over 13,000 total hours. 7600 (bought used) has 7500+ hours, never had the engine opened. (original owner went to the same dealer we did) I'd say they are as good or better than any comparable age/size tractor.

ridgelane · Jan 5, 2012

Good to know, thanks.

donjr · Jan 5, 2012

I've had tricycle tractors since I started farming as a youngster, and still have an 806 Farmall and a 2520 John Deere and a 'B'. The easiest handling tractor of the three is the 2520. My daughter drove it picking up hay in the field at 4. If you want areally nice, light handling tractor, it's second to none. It's not big enough for a dual axle spreader, but hay wagons, corn picking,raking, tedding and general utility work is never a chore with it. I've mowed hay, cut silage with a small chopper, plowed, disced, planted and driled with it. It's easy on fuel and handles like a dream. A 3020 is a bit bigger, but the same basic dimension. Hard to beat series.

souNdguy · Jan 5, 2012

a ford 9XX.. preferably a 961.. or a 4000 rowcrop with a 5spd trans.

about 50hp or so..

soundguy

hd6gtom · Jan 5, 2012

When I was young all you saw were tricycle fronts, except for a few fords. If you do buy 1 try it out first. You may quickly learn to not like it

ridgelane · Jan 5, 2012

What would be the downside of a tricycle tractor that would make me not like it?

I have rolling to steep hills on most of my fields, will that present a problem for light work such as raking hay?

showcrop · Jan 5, 2012

(quoted from post at 17:20:44 01/05/12) What would be the downside of a tricycle tractor that would make me not like it?

I have rolling to steep hills on most of my fields, will that present a problem for light work such as raking hay?

My hay ground has rolling hills. I use one of my old ford NFE row crop tractors for raking. An NFE tractor is inherently less stable on a hillside but with proper ballasting it can be made safer than many wide front tractors. In my years I have spent many hours on NFE tractors starting at age 13. I have had four close calls to an upset but they were all on wide front tractors. So go ahead and get your Ford NFE and load the tires and put a set of pie weights on it, and you will have a nimble, productive, tractor that will be more stable than most hobby farmers' wide front tractors.

Mike (WA) · Jan 5, 2012

"Rolling to steep hills" could be a problem. Narrow fronts are more dangerous in those situations. I've used both, and unless I was doing row crops where the short turning radius of the narrow front was needed, I guess I don't see any advantage to narrow fronts.

olliekid · Jan 5, 2012

thats a lot of hours! sounds like you and your grandpa take care of your stuff. my cousins had a 5000 and they turned the tach on it (went over 10,000 hours) and it was still on the original engine.

MikeinKy · Jan 5, 2012

THIS ONE IS HANDY.

DeltaRed · Jan 5, 2012

In this neighborhood,there is a JD 4320,a JD4230,and a IH 1256 with single front ends.

ridgelane · Jan 5, 2012

Thanks for all the info. Now that I'm armed with a little ammo, I can start the hunt. It will be interesting to see what I can find out here.

bobs old iron · Jan 5, 2012

wouldthis count as a tricylce,,,lol

ridgelane · Jan 5, 2012

Enough ballast to hold it on the ground I would think!! Does it have a pto?

PJH · Jan 5, 2012

You might as well buy two of them. You can park two TFE's in almost the same shed space as one WFE.

ridgelane · Jan 6, 2012

Thanks for the videos. I love to hear those two bangers working away.

My dad had one for a few years when I was in my late teens but sold it after about two years. Wish I had it back now.

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