Narrow or Wide?

[Single_shot]

Does anyone have a farm tractor with a narrow front and have you ever used it to drag logs out of the woods? Should I forget about it and keep my search for a wide front?

[Lawdwaz]

I have a feeling that the knowledgeable guys are going to say definitely NOT the narrow front end. I bet they quit making those for a reason..........

[Single_shot]

I have a feeling that the knowledgeable guys are going to say definitely NOT the narrow front end. I bet they quit making those for a reason..........

I kinda figured that.I used them for hay but never had one in the woods.

[Lawdwaz]

I know two guys that rolled their M's. (or were they H's??) I do know my buddy Wally (82 yrs old now) broke his arm and easily could have died when he flipped his back in the 70's.

[Single_shot]

I lost a good friend and co-worker about 3yrs ago from a tractor flip.He was dragging logs out in the winter and the log dug in and it went over backwards....you can figure the rest of it.That was with a wide front tractor he was on.

[landtracdeerhunter]

My answer is a BIG NO. NO NARROW, for woods work! Their called a tricycle front end. Also known as thumb breakers. Cheaper in price today than a wide front. Originally designed for cultivating and planting. Work good on a buzz saw too. They are all row crop design for clearance, when cultivating, thus putting the center of gravity higher than a normal utility tractor. They also worked well on the planter, tuning on a dime, but extreme flip over could result, if speed wasn't held in check. Many an accident has occurred on these tractor, because their being used more than what designed for. Also be aware of International tractors with down pressure on the 3 pt. hitch. Vary dangerous if not used properly.

We use to convert narrows to wide front years ago, but don't think it's cost effective today.

Edited February 14, 2013 by landtracdeerhunter

[tughillhunter]

Narrow fronts are good for one thing. Barn ornaments. I hate those things.

[Single_shot]

Thanks for the info guys. I will keep my search for wide fronts.

[growalot]

I didn't think they made them any more I've seen the used as generators on farms...The ole man was a crane operator and a few timeswas called on recoveries..... in to lift tractors off farmers...two I recall were ones that got too close to the Genesee river and rolled over

[josephmrtn]

i'd say DEFF NO its to dangerous

[tuckersdaddy]

Does anyone have a farm tractor with a narrow front and have you ever used it to drag logs out of the woods? Should I forget about it and keep my search for a wide front?

in general small tractors are for farming. skidders are used for logging. both designed to do specific things. both activitys can be laced with safety issues then add in equipment not designed for the job at hand? it can be a fine line to walk. be careful! The closest thing to an all around piece of equipment is a tracked tractor, dozer or tracked loader. still has some safety concerns but is more flexible in many situations. jmo

[reeltime]

as others have stated doing log work with a tractor is a very dangerous proposition. tractors will flip very easily whether its a narrow or wide front end. have been doing firewood and woods work for years and have seen first hand through ems work what happens when people use the wrong equipment for a job.

a few tips and or suggestion;

- don't work alone if at all possible.

- cut logs into smaller sections, yes its more trips in and out but it less dangerous.

- make sure the logs are trimmed clean so there is nothing to get hung up.

- if your going to buy a tractor for this get one that is a lower profile, like a 504 utility, thats what we use.

- if its got a 3pt hitch on it like ours we built a log arch where we can get the log up off the ground so that the nose of the log can not catch a stump or dig into the ground.

- use the lowest gear possible and dont ever take your foot off the clutch pedal! if the log catches something the front end comes up in a hurry.

- NEVER pull a log up hill with any kind of a tractor, that is a recipe for disaster.

what about picking up an old 4wd truck or jeep cj ? would probably be cheaper than a tractor, certainly safer, and maintainance would be cheaper. taking a tractor in the woods is a high cost risk, with the associated dangers and repairs, small stumps are not friendly to tires. tractor tires are NOT cheap and unless you are equiped its costly to get them changed. If your running calcium in the tires its even more $. to be honest a 2 wd tractor really isn't that good in the mud and they are horendous on ice!

I would say that a 4wd truck or jeep with decent tires and chains on all 4 would be a safer option for you.

[G-Man]

i use a farmall 300 with narrow end in the woods, great for getting turned around in woods. they do tip easy and wouldn't use on hill sides.and you need good breaks. i grew up using this tractor and am very confidant with it. if your not familiar with driving a tractor i get one with a wide front end, and added weight to the front, the breaks on a tractor are not like a car, you need to have cluch in as well. a good used ford with low profile is what i would recomend. 2000,3000 or a jubilee or 8n can all be found in great shape for about 3000-4000$. they do sell logging winches for tractors according to hp. a waggon is best for hauling block wood out. less chance of getting hung up.

[growalot]

Get a Horse...

[landtracdeerhunter]

American Farmall and the Russian Belarus tractors were the only 2 with down pressure on the 2 point- 3 point arms. Worked well for some activities.

[landtracdeerhunter]

Get a Horse...

Yes, but they eat $5 a bale hay, when their not running, LOL.