Window farming

[JTL]

I went out for a drive today to have a look around at the dry land wheat farms around where Im working. Being the old farm boy I am, I cant resist! Hopefully Im still here when they start cutting wheat in the next month or so. Heres some pics of the equipment I found.

[JTL]

Heres a few more. Nice way to recycle an old combine. Ive seen a few sprayers made out of old 95H's and Gleaners over the years, but this is the "newest" one I've ever seen!

[KMB83]

JTL,

I have dumb question. whats up with using steel tracked machines in the northwest?

i understand that tracks offer lower ground pressure in farm applications but i wouldnt think steel, with all the rubber stuff around these days, would be very economical?

[JTL]

KMB,
Traction factor has alot ot do with it. As well as stabillity. The fields arent exactly flat out here. They might not be as fast as rubber tired machines, but I would feel alot safer on tracks than on tires when pulling a 40 foot cutivator across a 35% slope.
There are more and more farmers replacing the old AG-6 and D-6's with Challengers, John Derre and Case rubber track machines.

[KMB83]

makes sense....

in your pictures it looks flat, but i have seen some of the ground you are referencing.

do the rubber tracks have different levels of aggressiveness or stuff in your area getting the same tracks as us midwesterners?

[JTL]

They do call this area Shutler Flats, but go 2 miles in any direction and the hills get STEEP! It drops down into draws and gullies, but even the Flats aren't all that flat. Its pretty broken up.
As far as the aggressiveness of the rubber tracks, I have no idea if they are any different.

[JTL]

A little bit older, and a little bit newer!

[oakland]

nice pics JTL there are alot of challengers in this area too, and they dont screw around on the asphalt either they haul you know what! they sure are nice machines :D

[trackgirl]

Have you seen any of the big Challenger MT machines up there?

[JTL]

Have you seen any of the big Challenger MT machines up there?

I've seen a couple around here, mostly setting at a JD or Case dealer's used lot. Seems Cat dropped the ball on these bigger tractors.
Jason

[spunkeymonkey]

Do you have any Claas tracked tractors in the States? I think they're rebadged Cats, but Im not sure.

[hvy 1ton]

Do you have any Claas tracked tractors in the States? I think they're rebadged Cats, but Im not sure.

No Claas tractors to speak of in NA, yet. Even the Claas combines are painted yellow. I don't think the Claas/Cat tractor deal is active anymore, seeing as they sold the Challenger rights to AGCO.