Re: Cultivator Tractors

[conundrum]

I guess you are looking for a smallish rig, possibly with adjustable track front wheels? We used to call them orchard tractors-same thing really. Seems to me it is more dependent on the type of cultivator you want to run, and the amount of ground.
My uncle had an old Cub with a front mounted cultivator that was simple and easy. Besides, steering corrections were a snap as you could watch the unit in the rows as you went along. I have also seen a belly mounted cultivator, but that was a long time ago.
You can technically cultivate with about anything to a point-smaller is generally easier overall. What about a basic Kubota? Should be some older models around for semi reasonable amount. We used a great old Ferguson on the farm when I was a kid-wonderfully adaptable piece of machinery.

[DM]

I guess you are looking for a smallish rig, possibly with adjustable track front wheels? We used to call them orchard tractors-same thing really.

Actually, real orchard tractors had non ajustable front ends, so an orchard tractor is a very different tractor... They also have full body and wheel covers that wouldn't allow you to see the rows very well...

The best small cultivator tractor ever made is the Allis Chalmers "G". This tractor was designed and made for veggie farmers and to cultivate with.... They are sought after to this day, but you can still find them around.

Everyone made a tractor to cultivate with, some were better than others but they all made them in one form or another...

The Farmall "A" and it's variations were popular because the seat was "offset" (they even had a decal on the side that said "cultivator") but i never liked them for that purpose because they don't turn very short... I took the cultivators off mine long ago.

There's LOT's of wore out A's, B's and C's in the south these days that were used for cultivateing tobacco...

DM

[Eastex]

Not as many AC here, but lots of Farmalls. I'm looking at a 140 and hope I can find the tools.

Dad has a cub rusting away with a belly mower that I hope to make my first restoration. Don't know beans about it, but looks like it's doable!

[DM]

A 140 is nothing but an "updated" super A, so you shouldn't have any problems finding tools for it... At least around here you wouldn't...

I have a REALLY nice 140 with the factory belly "sickle mower" that i use to mow around my ponds with... I just wish it turned shorter and had power steering... :D

DM

[conundrum]

You are certainly correct, DM. I grew up in an area with few orchards, but those that were in existence used any old smallish tractor they could find. And were always referred to as "orchard" tractors. A localized slang/catchall I suppose, which I have drug around for many years. Oh well, never too old to get it right!
I am wondering if those units were more common in the areas of New York state and so on? Next time I get to a dealer of any brand I am going to ask what they use now for such situations. Curious.

[DM]

I am wondering if those units were more common in the areas of New York state and so on? Next time I get to a dealer of any brand I am going to ask what they use now for such situations. Curious.

I'm not sure if your refering to 140's or orchard tractors?

My 140 was bought new by the New Yotk State road commision. It spend it's days cutting road sides with the belly sickle mower...

The "A" and "super A" were popular around here, but by the time the 140 came out, most farmers were already buying bigger tractors than that.

As for orchard tractors.... I live in a mix of orchard and dairy ptoduction with some of everything else thrown in. There's a thousand acres of orchards starting 1/2 mile up the road from me.

These days a sprayer NEED's at least 70 PTO hp to run the sprayer so most of the orchard tractors are 80 PTO hp on up...

Right in this area most of the orchard tractors are McCormick http://www.mccormickusa.com/FSeriesTractors.html that are "red" Landini's or you see Landini's.. http://www.landini.com/products/rexge.html They are the same tractor, just different paint...

Also you see John Deere....

A bit further away from here there are quite a few Massey and CIH orchard tractors...

DM

[DM]

Does anyone have one? I know only of the Allis Chalmers and you have to find an old one somewhere, but they must still need this kind of tractor?

Here's the "ultimate" small farm cultivator tractor,

http://www.fototime.com/1214B42CB30C720/standard.jpg

It's an Allis Chalmers "G" and as you can see, mine had a belly mower under it when i took the pict..

Unless you count one of the "custom" cultivator tractors that are NOT factory, like this Kubota.

http://www.fototime.com/B364DA3F050A653/standard.jpg

Today you still can buy a "copy" of the AC "G" from Saukville tractor company... http://www.saukvilletractor.com/html/about_stc.html

DM

[AlchemyAcres]

Coincidentally, I've been watching Allis Gs on eBay for a couple weeks since "Manic Organic" with Antony John on Discovery Home rekindled my interest. He uses one his farm in Canada.
Also found the following article pretty interesting.........
"Converting an Allis-Chalmers "G" Cultivating Tractor into an Electric Vehicle"
http://www.flyingbeet.com/electricg/

~Martin :)

[DM]

Martin,

I can't argue with the guy on what he says about the little Continenal motor in the "G", (several other tractors use the same motor) i don't like the damn things either...

Most are wore down when you get them, and they are an expensive motor to rebuild... They only have 10-1/2 hp. :(

There is a company that makes a conversion kit to put a Kubota diesel in them, (read $$$$$$$) and at one time Deutz made a replacement one cyl. 18 hp air cooled diesel for them. I'd LOVE to have one of those Deutz's!

One thing that helps the stock "G" is, many "G"'s had the opt. 4 speed tranny and that's a HUGE plus!! Personally, i wouldn't want one with just the 3 speed.

DM

[AlchemyAcres]

Cool link Martin!

How much are they running on E-bay?

Debbie

$2000-$4000! :o


~Martin

[DM]

There's a guy i know here that buys/sells "G's" and paints them. He always has some around that run decent with either good paint or new decent quality paint paint job, depending on options 3 to 4K.... He also has quite a few that he sells parts off from too...

DM

[AlchemyAcres]

Here's another 'clone'.....

http://www.tuff-bilt.com/


~Martin

[DM]

*This is about the ultimate cultivator tractor made today... And it's even "made in the U.S.A." * :) * http://www.saukvilletractor.com/html/about_stc.html

I've seen that Tuffbuilt before, and it's a pretty nice tractor too...

*DM