[AT] Orchard tractors

[Grant Brians]

Larry, you raise valid points. But they do not apply here in California for
several reasons. Even the high density orchards have not gone to the wire
approach that really only works with Apples and Pears. Almonds, Walnuts and
Pistachios are the big orchard crops and they all have to have tractors
going under the trees and the growers don't want either the operators of the
tractors or the trees to be damaged, so low profile versions of tractors
with orchard fenders and usually a cage or low profile cab is desired. These
are also used in Europe so there is an international market for the units.
      Here the tracked tractor has made a comeback to avoid compaction and
with the rubber tracks, transport time from field to field has been lowered
without the need (like on my older Caterpillars) to use a low bed trailer
Semi-truck to transport the units. In California, large Articulated Four
Wheel Drive tractors never became as popular as in the wheatland area and
what did happen is Steel Track Crawlers have now largely been replaced by
rubber tracks or simply larger 4WD. Wheatland here was a D6, D7 or D8 with a
large disc harrow, chisel or ripper as we always have had to fight
compaction.
           Grant Brians
           Hollister, California vegetable, fruit and nuts farmer

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]On Behalf Of Larry Goss
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 6:48 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Orchard tractors


One of the things that puts a monkey wrench in things, Charlie, is that
orchards are no longer planted as individual trees that you can drive
through in several directions.  Instead, they are planted more like a
vineyard with the tees only about 3 feet apart, and with wires strung for
the entire length of the row to lend stability to the plants so they can't
be blown over.  On high-production farms, much of the work is done
"remotely" with high-pressure broadcast sprayers and other machinery that
can be powered with ANY tractor.  The need for an orchard tractor simply
disappeared.  In a similar manner, tillage techniques have changed
dramatically since the Wheatland tractors were popular.  Nobody needs to
pull a 20-bottom plow across a field in this day and age.  Soil compaction
has become more of an issue than brute force and pulling power.

Larry