In this Shop Talk Blog post, we are going to address some of the most commonly asked questions about tractors -- some serious, some not so much. Do you know why the rear tires on a tractor are so large? How about what tractor was used on the television show Green Acres? What tractor is the largest in the world? Read on to find out!
Why are the rear tires on a tractor so large?
Most older two-wheel drive tractors have smaller wheels at the front of the machine and larger wheels at the back. Smaller tires are much easier to steer than large tires, which is the primary reason smaller tires were located at the front. The larger wheels are used to generate the torque needed to pull whatever load is attached to the tractor and distribute the weight of the tractor better so it is not as likely to sink into the ground.
Why are tractor tires sometimes filled with water?
It’s not uncommon to see tractor tires that have been filled with about 75% water, beet juice, or calcium chloride (it will not freeze). This is referred to as ballasting. These substances are added to increase the weight of the tires to prevent them from slipping. This, in turn, increases the drawbar pull of the tractor and saves on fuel. Unlike adding metal weights to the tire, ballasting places the additional weight at the lowest point on the tire where it is needed the most.
What kind of tractor was used on the TV show Green Acres?
According to the Stars Cars wiki, the tractor on the show was a Hoyt-Clagwell tractor; in reality, it was a Fordson tractor made by the Ford Motor Company. However, the tractor used in the opening of Green Acres was actually a John Deere GP.
Can you identify the brand of a tractor by its color?
Many tractor brands can be identified by the color of their paint, assuming it isn’t a custom paint job. An orange tractor is most likely an Allis-Chambers or a Kubota. A green tractor is probably a John Deere. If a tractor is blue, then it is likely a New Holland. A red tractor is going to be a Farmall or IH (International Harvester). Blue tractors are most likely old Fordson tractors, made by Ford.
What tractor has the most horsepower?
The general consensus is that “Big Bud” is the most powerful tractor. The Big Bud 16V-747 was built by the Northern Manufacturing Company back in 1977. It has double the weight and double the horsepower of your typical production tractor. It weighs in at 135,000 pounds when fully ballasted. Its fuel tank holds 1,000 gallons of diesel and its hydraulic tank holds 150 gallons of hydraulic fluid. Big Bud has a Detroit Diesel 16V92T 16-cylinder, 2-cycle engine that generates 1,100 horsepower (based on later modifications). Big Bud is also considered the world’s largest tractor. However, Big Bud is no longer in use.
Conclusion
Tractors are a fascinating subject, and there are so many interesting facts and trivia associated with them. They are an example of an agricultural machine that just about everyone recognizes instantly, and they are indispensable to the agricultural industry.
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