Talk:MicroTrac

No length on coupler parts at northern tool.
Need to find coupler part length for fitting all parts together.

After using the walk behind thai Tractors

 * http://www.siamkubota.co.th/en/product_detail.aspx?pid=16&cid=3
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1-achsiger_Traktor.jpg

For Plowing and using a small dozer blade and towing a trailer. I can say that your effective Uni wheel will be a pain in the backside to use. Having short legs to help stabilize is a huge basic design flaw. Trust me you are working hard with these machines plowing. You have to apply downward pressure to the handlebars to get the coulter or disk into the ground then modify that pressure to maintain cutting depth. You dont want to be trying to balance the tractor in the vertical plane as well. What about surface imperfections that will cause imbalance. Either get a Gyro or make it two wheels that are spaced at least 900mm apart. If you are going to go Hydraulic that may mean two drive motors and spools so that you can turn easily. -- Regards Whitworth

''The MicroTrac design is certainly yet to be proven with implements. Did you notice the hydraulic actuation on the front quick attach plate that will allow raising and lowering the implement in use? I'm personally not sure about a front tiller design where the bed would be packed down by the wheel rolling right down the middle of it, but perhaps it could be run in reverse with that tool so you just "lead" the handle down the path, instead of following behind with a mower for example. --Jeb''

Experience with Heavy Tillers
I have a Husquvarna rear-tine heavy duty tiller. With the motor in the front and cultivator tines in the back, balance is quite good front to back. It has two wheels instead of the single wheel proposed for MicroTrak. I agree with Whitworth that two wheels will give a machine that's easier (and safer) to use. I have also gone to a two wheel wheelbarrow which I find considerably easier to work with, though I can't push it up a single plank like a mono-wheel could. OTOH, I never do this. In general, I think that two wheel will be superior to one and likely simplify the design in the process (since the hydraaulic motors can be positioned in-line with wheel axles. - Mark Norton