Best tractor for steep ground haymaking???

[VP Adams ltd]

Am looking for a circa 100- 125 hp tractor for hay making and general grassland work on some steeper ground.Our steepest slopes are about 17 degrees / circa 30 %. We don't do much about 100 acres of hay/haylage and haul around 70t of straw in from local farms (15 mile radius). We've used contractors in the past but given the unpredictability of the weather, everyone needs them at the same time, so would like to be able to sort ourselves out. I could go to an alpine or an Aebi style but both have their limitations handling conventional haymaking kit. Not sure what the best option would be, someone said a fastrac with duals, given their square design and equal sized wheels but I asked in another post and the feedback was negative. I need something simple and safe, as my kids are at an age to help and I don't want any dramas !!

 

[celtis man]

I think I read somewhere Same tractors are good as they are fairly low and have 4wheel braking.
But someone will say otherwise

 

[Devil's advocate]

Wheel track set wide & good tyres, those two more important than make or model of tractor.

 

[celtis man]

Wheel track set wide & good tyres, those two more important than make or model of tractor.

Some have nerves of steel going around in hills
Others don't.

 

[box]

Whatever you buy, make sure it has real 4 wheel braking.

 

[Sheep]

17 degrees isn't much.

Just set your wheels wide and make sure it has decent brakes. Wouldn't even be worried about 4 wheel braking for those slopes.

 

[puppet]

Am looking for a circa 100- 125 hp tractor for hay making and general grassland work on some steeper ground.Our steepest slopes are about 17 degrees / circa 30 %. We don't do much about 100 acres of hay/haylage and haul around 70t of straw in from local farms (15 mile radius). We've used contractors in the past but given the unpredictability of the weather, everyone needs them at the same time, so would like to be able to sort ourselves out. I could go to an alpine or an Aebi style but both have their limitations handling conventional haymaking kit. Not sure what the best option would be, someone said a fastrac with duals, given their square design and equal sized wheels but I asked in another post and the feedback was negative. I need something simple and safe, as my kids are at an age to help and I don't want any dramas !!

Having been brought up on 2 very steep farms then decent tyres and fwd braking on any tractor will do. Without that you point downhill and take off. Most people will rightly lose their nerve across a slope before tragedy. Making it safe for your kids is not about the tractor but about safe operating especially when centre of gravity can change suddenly with a raised implement. If an ordinary tractor won't do then do it yourself

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I think I read somewhere Same tractors are good as they are fairly low and have 4wheel braking.
But someone will say otherwise

Yep Same or Lambo equivalent would be my choice too

 

[captain useless]

Am looking for a circa 100- 125 hp tractor for hay making and general grassland work on some steeper ground.Our steepest slopes are about 17 degrees / circa 30 %. We don't do much about 100 acres of hay/haylage and haul around 70t of straw in from local farms (15 mile radius). We've used contractors in the past but given the unpredictability of the weather, everyone needs them at the same time, so would like to be able to sort ourselves out. I could go to an alpine or an Aebi style but both have their limitations handling conventional haymaking kit. Not sure what the best option would be, someone said a fastrac with duals, given their square design and equal sized wheels but I asked in another post and the feedback was negative. I need something simple and safe, as my kids are at an age to help and I don't want any dramas !!

@Hfd Cattle is your man , he has some seriously steep ground which he mows. Think he uses JD tractors

 

[solo]

If your contractors used to do it then surely something similar would be suitable.

 

[bravheart]

Think some Same were designed for slopes with front propshaft through the sump to keep c of g down. From that point valmet/valtra have a similar design.
Would also think that the older models that have a transmission 'hump' in the floor of the cab Would also be lower and keep the centre of gravity down.

 

[le bon paysan]

Wide wheel track, 4wd,good brakes and keep the loader down.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Preferably something with a lockable front differential if it doesn't have front brakes ala Same.

Most of my heart-in-my-mouth moments have involved one front tyre going furiously in reverse, and can vouch for it not being a fantastic feeling, at all !

Usually in summer when the ground is hard and the clover is growing, having wide wheels etc is no real help if you cannot have a say in what direction they go

 

[le bon paysan]

The joys of learning to drive a fordson major tractor on the banks. 1 wheel going forwards and 1 backwards.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

The joys of learning to drive a fordson major tractor on the banks. 1 wheel going forwards and 1 backwards.

And trying not to jacknife the trailed topper before the PTO stopped, it's one thing that really hasn't changed in a lifetime.

Have had some great moments with (as an example) vario Masseys in harvester mode, with a fusion giving a mighty shove on the drawbar, your reaction is to lift off the pedal. And then you have a big michelin planing pieces of turf and hiffing them at the windscreen !

 

[Cocomac]

I’ve got a JD6330, it’s very stable on steep ground even with a 10’ mower on. The one think I would recommend is not to go for too wide a tyre on steep ground, as soon as it gets the least wee bit greasy there just skis where a narrower tyre will dig in a bit and give you more grip. Also don’t o er look having enough weights on the front to keep the wheels gripping.

 

[yellowbelly]

 

[VP Adams ltd]

If your contractors used to do it then surely something similar would be suitable.

....... they will only do bits of it.

 

[gone]

Lintrac 95 LS

Mit 3,6 Liter Hubraum und 75 kW Leistung (entspricht 102 PS) sowie einem enormen Drehmoment von 430 Nm ist der Lintrac 95 LS ein kraftvoller Allround-Traktor für Mischbetriebe.

www.lindner-traktoren.at

 

[Hfd Cattle]

The tractor is only as good as the driver on the seat!
We use JD tractors but it's all about the driver and experience.
...and yes some of it is pretty steep!