Re: Orchard Tractors

Posted by P. K. Ouellet on August 12, 2005 at 22:19:23 from (66.222.88.59):

In Reply to: Orchard Tractors posted by Steve(OR) on August 11, 2005 at 15:12:03:

I am most familiar with orchard style tractors that have been used in the citrus business in Florida. The big skirts around the rear tires allow the branches to smoothly flow over the tractor without causing damage firstly to the fruit trees and secondly to the tractor. Some tractors were even outfitted with expanded metal engine shields on each side. A slanted shield also may be placed just above the dash protecting the operator from being hit by branches. Down exhaust in an orange grove is always a must as mentioned earlier from others of the damage that may be caused. These skirts and shields were manufactured by dealers and also by the grove caretakers. Some tractor manufacturers installed down exhaust manifolds and mufflers from the factory. Many of the older orchard models also had modified seats, allowing the operator to sit lower and a little further towards the back. Most of these older orchard models also had the hydraulic lift decks removed to allow this. In addition, a small platform may be installed at the drawbar level to allow the operator to stand and still drive the tractor. In some cases hand clutch levers were installed for this configuration. Most operators also added a custom feature to deflect spider webs from hitting them in the face, usually an old fishing pole or an antennnae mounted at the front center of the hood. These modifications were most prevalent in the years where discing was the method of weed/grass control under trees and between tree rows. Nowadays herbiciding under the branches of the trees and mowing between tree rows is the preferred method. One of the more well known cusomizers of these tractors was Pounds Motor Co. located in Central FL. They mostly modified the line that they sold at the time, Case and Deutz. You can still find some of the older tractors around these days but not in the abaundance from 25 years ago. Other popular modified tractors were 77 and 770 Olivers, Jet Star 2 and 3 MM's, 65 and 165 MF's, 300, 400 and 500 series Case's and other assorted colors of tractors. I cut my teeth on these tractors years ago and don't miss one bit having to remove the sheet metal and guards in order to work on them. They did serve their purpose.

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