[AT] narrow vs. wide front tractors

[Brian VanDragt]

I'm no farmer but one guess is that a narrow front tractor is better for
using some mounted equipment like cultivators or corn pickers.  The low
front axle would make it harder to cultivate anything very tall and the corn
picker would be out of the question because the axle would knock  the corn
down.  Plowing is much easier with a wide front because the front wheel can
be run in the furrow as a guide to keep the tractor straight down the row.

Brian

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Greg Hass
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 10:16 PM
To: at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject: Re: [AT] narrow vs. wide front tractors

Since things are a little slow on the list I will ask something that has
bothered me for quite some time. I suspect the answer is somewhat regional,
but here goes. First of all, this applies to older tractors; but why do some
areas lean heavily to narrow fronts and others to wide fronts? In our area
of Michigan, IH starting with the late letter series and JD starting with
the early numbered series, almost everyone bought wide fronts; whereas in
other areas,I'm thinking maybe Indiana, people stayed with narrow fronts. As
an example, google "plowing of the past 1962" and you will see what I mean.
In this video, the sound does not start for 30 seconds. Almost every tractor
is narrow front, although a town is mentioned, I am not sure what state the
video was in. I have driven both types and I personally hate narrow fronts.
When Farmer was on the list, I know he said his 4010 or 4020, I forget
which, had a narrow front. So my question is, why do certain areas seem to
favor one or the other, and also those of you on this list, why do you
prefer one over the other?
                 Greg Hass
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