Front Mount 4WD Articulated Tractor

Front Mount 4WD Articulated Tractor TRACTORS Miscellaneous 15-2-27 A New Hampshire inventor who didn't like any of the tractors on the market built his own articulated 4-WD that positions the operator right up front for perfect visibility. Maury Collins, of Nelson, N.H., says his 58 hp prototype is equipped with front or rear pto, front and rear 3-pt. hitch, foot-controlled hydrostatic 4-WD, center articulation and oscillation, and four 11.2 by 24 ag tread tires. It's powered by a Ford 140 cu. in. 4-cylinder water-cooled gas engine, with both driver and engine protected by a wire brush cage. "I use it mainly in my 300 acres of woods to skid and haul logs, but I've also mounted a front-mounted flail mower, snowblower and forklift on it," says Collins, who has tested the prototype tractor for .five years. "It'll handle dozens of different jobs. I built it because I thought it was crazy to spend over $20,000 for a 50 hp tractor and then have to back up with a snowblower or always turn around when digging post holes. "On most tractors lifting all takes places behind the rear wheels, thus creating a lever effect which can cause the front end to come up. On my tractor most of the weight is between the front wheels and the center joint. Weight distribution is so good that I have yet to raise the front end off the ground while skidding logs. "The tires are the same size front and rear and large enough to roll over objects with-out acting like a plow on turns in mud and snow. They're also of a size that's readily available. Hydraulic motors in each wheel provide positive 4-WD so there's no loss of power regardless of wheel position. There's no clutch so I don't have to stop and shift gears and lose momentum when I don't want to stop. Instead, single pedal hydraulic control provides unlimited speed selection. My tractor is designed so the average lay-man can do all of the routine service." Collins uses a rear-mounted hydraulic winch and cable to skid logs up to 30 in. in diameter. A rear-mounted butt plate protects the rear tires. By removing the plate and installing a dump body he can haul cordwood. "My tractor would work great with a FARMI 3-pt. hitch front-end loader. I haven't done any plowing or cultivating with it, but there's no reason it couldn't be done." Collins says he's looking for investors and manufacturers. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Nelson Tractor Limited, Old Stoddard Road, Nelson, N.H. 03457 (ph 603 847-3321).

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