Re: opinions solicited
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Posted by Steamer on October 23, 1998 at 13:01:16:
In Reply to: opinions solicited posted by R Potts on October 22, 1998 at 18:49:43:
: I need to mow about three acres beginning in spring. I think I want to use a small (old) tractor rather than a new lawn mower. Anyway, I'm looking at a Farmall Cub w/ belly mower. Can it handle a small front loader (for snow)? Also have a lead on a Case VAC w/ belly mower. I'm very new to old tractors, till now my only love affair with engines has bee old VW's ('72 Cabriolet). Anyone got an opinion to share w/ me on the tractors? Thanks to all. Oooh! He's asking for opinions! On this board, you're likely to NEED a front-end loader to scoop them all up. Firstly there's a lot of decent, older machines out there for your consideration. The availability of parts is a big item, and they're easy to come by for John Deere, International and Ford. Next, there are two kinds of mowers. The belly type and the pull behind type. Both work well, but the pull behind type are easier to mount and dismount. They require a 3-pt hitch (or conversion unit), so certain tractors would not be suitable. Having 'live' PTO is REALLY the way to go, but that greatly narrows down the models you'll have to choose from. 'Live' means that there are two clutches, one for the PTO and one for the transmission. Usually, they are operated by the main clutch pedal: Depress the pedal 1/2 way and the transmission is disengaged, all the way disengages both the transmission and the PTO. Non-Live PTO is operated by the same power shaft as the transmission. that means you lose PTO drive and transmission drive at the same time. Non-live PTO Makes mowing in reverse a pain. You vave to hit the clutch, hit the brakes, idle the engine (full power PTO starts are not a good idea), select reverse, let out the clutch, rev up the engine. With Live PTO, you'd press the clutch 1/2 way and hit the brakes, select reverse and let out the clutch. The PTO would stay powered up the whole time. Another problem with non-live PTO is that the flywheel effect of the mower blades will continue to drive the transmission, and therefore the rear wheels, even AFTER the clutch is disengaged. tends to make you run into things. This can easily be fixed by adding an 'over running clutch' to the PTO shaft. It only transmits power one way (tractor to mower), slipping harmlessly when the mower tries to power the tractor. When talking about a front-end loader, you really can't use any of these older machines very well with one. They all tend to lack enough of a hydraulic system to operate one, and the lack of power steering makes it REALLY difficult to steer with a loaded bucket. If you look at machines from the late 1960's or early 1970's, they were designed with loader work in mind, and would be a MUCH better choice. To answer your question on the IH cub, they make a fine mowing machine with the belly mower and an overrunning clutch. They will not work with a loader. If you want to mow a little wider, then look at an IH 'A', it has more power and will operater a wider mower deck. These machines are small enough to mow around trees and bushes easily. The Ford workmasters are good for this use, too; or the JD 320/330 series worked well, too.
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