LifeTrac Questions

Point: As far as we know, LifeTrac is the only device that includes the functionality of an agricultural tractor and skid-steer loader in one.

Skid Loader specialization:
 * Hydraulic drive allows immediate reversal of direction - allowing for rapid digging/moving tasks
 * Tight turning because the wheels skid on the ground (hence the name). A skid steer can essentially turn a circle in place
 * Hydraulic takeoff can power a variety of implements
 * Heavy duty tires, about $300 each
 * Quick attach plate is used for rapid interchange of implements

LifeTrac Comparison to Skid Loader:
 * Hydraulic drive just like in skid steers has identical performance.
 * Tight turning is achieved via articulation of the tractor up to about a 40 degree angle
 * Hydraulic takeoff can power a variety of implements
 * 16" truck tires with chains attain high performance at a cost of $30 per wheel (with used tires)
 * Quick attach plate is used for rapid interchange of implements

Tractor Specialization:
 * Faster speed and larger size allows large tracts of land to be worked
 * Power take off shaft can power a variety of implements
 * 3-point hitch allows the use of a wide range of agricultural implements on the back of the tractor
 * Large rear wheels provide effective traction; dually (doubled) wheel configuration may be used

LifeTrac Comparison to Tractor:
 * High speed can be achieved by going into 2 wheel drive mode, for large-scale agricultural tasks
 * Power take off (PTO) shaft can power a variety of implements; PTO is movable, and can be attached on rear, on quick attach plate, or anywhere else.
 * Movable 3-point hitch allows the use of a wide range of agricultural implements - either on the end of the tractor or on the front quick attach plate.
 * 4 wheel drive, inexpensive wheels with chains provide good traction; dually wheel configuration may be used

Discussion:
 * LifeTrac has the quick back-and-forth motion found in skid steers - to allow effective digging/moving functions with loader. At the same time, it has the speed and PTO/3-point hitch ability that makes it capable of any agricultural tasks, up to about a 40 acre scale (about 1 hp/acre figure of merit). One cannot do effective, accurate digging with a tractor, where one cannot make sharp turns and must change gears to change direction. All in all, using industrial equipment, one needs both a tractor and a skid loader to do all the functions of which LifeTrac is capable.


 * Does anyone know of any single device that has the functionality of both a standard agricultural tractor and a skid steer in one, as found in LifeTrac? See discussion -

square tube construction techniques
The basic frame is bolted together from 4x4x1/4" square tubing. That basic frame looks very similar to the "grid beam" techniques.


 * Would it be possible to build the basic frame using standard grid beams? (2x2" square tubing?)
 * Since both LifeTrac and "grid beam" are open-source, is it possible to make a modular construction system that combines the best parts of both systems?

More about grid beam:
 * http://www.gridbeamers.com/
 * http://www.creatrope.com/blog/make/a-modular-halloween-with-grid-beam/
 * http://gridbeam.biz/
 * http://p2pfoundation.net/Grid_Beam_Building_System
 * Eric Hunting Resource Guide
 * http://reprap.org/wiki/Frame_material#grid_beam
 * is there a grid beam wiki?