Re: Antique tractor for steep orchard mowing

Posted by Nolan on September 13, 2001 at 04:43:06 from (209.48.190.220):

In Reply to: Antique tractor for steep orchard mowing posted by Michael on September 12, 2001 at 17:10:25:

Tractor stablity studies have an 8N stable up to 45 degrees sideways, non-dynamic load, standard wheel configuration.

You are seeking a utility tractor design. wide front, low slung. Case made an excellent tractor for this job, appropriately called the Orchard Master, but it is not an antique.

Avoid of course tricycle front ends, and any high tractors, like the Allis Chalmers B series and such. They are far less stable then a lower slung unit.

I would still not recommend an 8N for the job. I have one, and also have a steeply sloped orchard. It does not work well. Lack of live pto makes controlling power to the mower very difficult. The lightness of the tractor, lack of 4wd, and inability to lock the differential all make it tend to slide down slopes, getting trees between the mower deck and the rear of the tractor. It was also darn near impossible to turn in the orchard with the mower attached to the rear of the tractor, it just didn't fit well.

My first attempt to rectify the situation was to only use the 8N in the wider spaces between the trees, and do closer to the trees with the riding mower and hand mower.

Now, the 8N sleeps in the barn and I mow the whole thing with the riding mower and push mower. Far less exciting and much quicker.

YMMV.

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