[AT] Actual antique tractor vegetable discussion

[Grant Brians]

We use tractors for harvest two ways. Either with a three point hitch
mounted box or with a welded platform mounted to the tractor on all four
sides. The 100's have the platform mounted and the other tractors have the
three point hitch boxes. The platforms are an item that is pretty much a
California vegetable area exclusive as they actually were designed for
carrying the 30' long portable aluminum sprinkler pipe on either side of the
operator. I have four tractors set up with what are locally referred to as
"pipe racks". While many different types of tractors were converted for pipe
racks, the preferred models are ones like the Farmall 100 or 240, AC model C
and JD2010. The reason for these being preferred is that they are two wheel
drive (less weight and cheaper), narrow wheels, wide front end to match 60"
to 80" wheel spacing and straddle the vegetable or strawberry beds and low
height wheels to make it easier to place the pipe on the tractor and remove
it. Typically the weight is balanced on the rear wheels with just enough
weight on the front wheels to make for easy control of the tractor - no
power steering needed.
     For the harvest boxes, then you need a heavy enough front end of the
tractor to counter-balance the box, either with weights or inherent
construction.
          Grant Brians

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]On Behalf Of john hall
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 3:09 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Actual antique tractor vegetable discussion


I can't stand the larger steering wheels on the number series. Not certain
when they changed it, may have been with the 100. We've always had Super A's
and they are pretty easy to off and on.

What exactly do you mean by "harvest configuration". Is this something like
the Asparagus A's I read about one time?

John

----- Original Message -----
From: "Grant Brians" <sales at heirloom-organic.com>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 7:30 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Actual antique tractor vegetable discussion


> John, I actually have a 240 with cultivating bars. The issue with the 100
> and 200 series tractors is that they were made for a light amount of
> weight.
> They have small wheels and the wide front ends wear out the kingpins and
> wheel bearings when loaded down in a harvest tractor configuration. The
> parts are appropriately sized to the rest of the tractor, but are not made
> to haul rutabagas, turnips, watermelons etc.... There is one other 100
> issue
> that I mentioned before - I am 6'6" tall and cannot fit into the seat
> area!
> It would be even worse for my son, he is almost 6'8" tall and has quite a
> bit longer legs.
>     The harvest tractor issues are becoming exacerbated as we will have
> well over 300 acres planted of vegetables this year on the current 185
> acres
> I am farming and if the new 100 acres gets added as planned to my
> operation
> this season then it will be even more of an issue clearly.
>          Grant Brians
>          Hollister,California Vegetable, Nuts and Fruit farmer
>
at

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