Narrow tractor, crazy wide wheels

[Shadow_storm56]

I'm really curious if anyone else has to do this but our current orchard tractor is the m5n-091, last one was a deere 5083en that fell apart. But we have narrow tractors to fit down the orchard rows because the limbs hang out. But were on a hill so some of our orchards are really tilted like driving sideways on stairs steep. Stock it would tip easy so both tractors end up with back wheels so wide they aren't under the fender at all.

But then it won't tip over, anyone else have land that they have to do this with?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I live in the mountains with varying degrees of pitch and roll, I have a l3450 with R3's that are short fat and wide.
It really makes it stable in a lot of different uses.

 

[BigG]

Did you do anything to make the tractor more stable besides setting the wheels wider? Add ballast to the tires may help. Also they might make cast iron wheel weights for your tractor. The old orchard tractors also had metal fender skirts to allow the branches to slide around the tractor. Often they were custom made to fit the tractor.

Rise of the Half Moon

Rise of the Half Moon! #GoogleDoodle

www.google.com

It might be to late but have you thought to stair step or terrace your hillside, at least on the steepest parts?

 

[Shadow_storm56]

Did you do anything to make the tractor more stable besides setting the wheels wider? Add ballast to the tires may help. Also they might make cast iron wheel weights for your tractor. The old orchard tractors also had metal fender skirts to allow the branches to slide around the tractor. Often they were custom made to fit the tractor.

Rise of the Half Moon

Rise of the Half Moon! #GoogleDoodle

www.google.com

It might be to late but have you thought to stair step or terrace your hillside, at least on the steepest parts?

Oh yes it's all ballasted to the max, see theres the odd rut too which makes it steeper.

I know what you mean, definitely to late and with the clay it wouldn't likely work well but I have seen that before.

 

[mikester]

check out http://www.antoniocarraro.it

 

[GreensvilleJay]

It used to be common for the local 'roads' dept. to have smaller tires on the 'uphill' side and larger on the 'downhill' side of the tractors that cut the ditches around here.
If I HAD to go sideways on any hill, I'd dedicate a tractor for that purpose. Tractors are cheap, funerals aren't.

 

[Shadow_storm56]

That's it all widened out

 

[G.rid]

Sounds like a perfect application for a ventrac, possibly with duals. Kind of depends what you need to do. I'm amazed of what they can do, but they are darn expensive.

I'm in no way affiliated with them, just impressed with some of the capabilities.

Sorry, its not a dis against kubota, I love my L48tlb.

 

[Shadow_storm56]

Sounds like a perfect application for a ventrac, possibly with duals. Kind of depends what you need to do. I'm amazed of what they can do, but they are darn expensive.

I'm in no way affiliated with them, just impressed with some of the capabilities.

Sorry, its not a dis against kubota, I love my L48tlb.

It would be but I need the full capabilities of a cab tractor for this

 

[Chesapeake]

When you said you had it widened out I pictured the old Massey-Ferguson orchard tractors I used to drive in my uncles orchards.
Yours looks quite tall and skinny rear tires for orchard work.

We used these things.

Hibid

mbauction.hibid.com

 

[68FalconSC]

When you said you had it widened out I pictured the old Massey-Ferguson orchard tractors I used to drive in my uncles orchards.
Yours looks quite tall and skinny rear tires for orchard work.

We used these things.

Hibid

mbauction.hibid.com

Yep. Those "fattys" on that Massey are what I remember as a teen picking apples and shakin' cherries as a teen in Michigan in the early 80's. This one farmer with a good sense of humor had painted "Fat Bottomed Girl" along the hood of the one he used most, lol.....Can still hear "Hey Jon, go grab the FBG" LOL. Used to make me laugh.