Jcb Fastrac on steeper slopes

[VP Adams ltd]

Am looking for a circa 100- 125 hp tractor for hay making and general grassland work on some steeper ground. Have the opportunity for an older JCB Fastrac 1125 and like the idea of selling our 18t flatbed truck and smaller & ancient 75hp tractor. 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. My main question is how stable are these older fastracs on steeper ground?

 

[Chae1]

Should keep your lorry. Those older ones are horrible.

 

[Pistonbroke]

Am looking for a circa 100- 125 hp tractor for hay making and general grassland work on some steeper ground. Have the opportunity for an older JCB Fastrac 1125 and like the idea of selling our 18t flatbed truck and smaller & ancient 75hp tractor. 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. My main question is how stable are these older fastracs on steeper ground?

All depends how steep you are talking about. They arent as good as a tractor and no way I could use one here but one man's steep as another one's gentle slope

 

[jd6820]

Am looking for a circa 100- 125 hp tractor for hay making and general grassland work on some steeper ground. Have the opportunity for an older JCB Fastrac 1125 and like the idea of selling our 18t flatbed truck and smaller & ancient 75hp tractor. 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. My main question is how stable are these older fastracs on steeper ground?

I like how your first question is regarding stability. They aint the best option for fieldwork or steep ground really, given you'd be using the clutch a fair bit. They are a dry clutch, air rams for gear change that can be sensitive, not overly suited to fieldwork. Hay making and those propshafts and a handbrake caliper that likes to get very warm if left on is an accident waiting to happen. They are actually very solid machines and the individual components pretty robust and dare I say simple. More of an owner driver machine, you'd want to enjoy spannering as they aint the best out there to work on. Any job requiring either the wheels off, engine out or cab off or all of the above. Before work on the actual part commences.

If you are buying a fastrac, go for a later smoothshift model and take someone who knows them with you to check it through the gears. Have owned one myself and fixed numerous others as part of my day job or punishment depends on what job I've to do on one. The 4WS does give issue with sensor but makes them a bit more nimble.

 

[VP Adams ltd]

OK thanks, sounds like a no for what we need. I'm no mechanic, although we have a good guy who fixes kit for us. We have a few steep bits around the farm and safety is my main concern, especially now that my kids are reaching an age where they are keen to help out.

 

[Fendtbro]

Our old 2140 seemed ok on the steep,better pointing up rather than down of course.. Good tyres are essential for grip and they handle perfect on the road, Better than the 4220.. Ours was flat out at 50k but the later 2000 series was 60. Great haulage gearbox the Eaton but that shuttle system for the round baler is pretty hopeless..