Orchard / Vineyard Tractors Dismantled Machines

About Orchard/Vineyard Tractors

Orchard and vineyard agriculture is largely distinguishable from other types of farming in that it involves trees or tall plants that limit most operations to working with one row at a time. Moreover, the narrowness of the rows requires farm vehicles to be slim in width in order to physically fit between the trees or vines. Thus, orchard and vineyard tractors are typically narrow-width models with other optimizations such as low centers of gravity for stable operation on slopes and protection from branches and vines.

A Century Of Orchard Tractors

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2020 New Holland T4.110V vineyard tractor

The early 20th century saw numerous wheeled and tracked vehicles being developed for agricultural use, as well as for construction, material handling, and military applications. The introduction of a pair of low, narrow tractors specifically engineered for the orchard market would occur in 1914 when California’s Holt Manufacturing Company launched its Baby Caterpillar 18 crawler (later taking on part of the latter as the company name), while Avery of Illinois debuted its Model 8-16. Wallis, Massey-Harris, John Deere & Lindeman, and other manufacturers also produced orchard-specific models over the next few decades.

Designs variously included lowered driver’s seats to pass under overhead branches, hand clutches instead of foot clutches, steering brakes, and relocated or shortened exhausts. Some orchard tractors were outfitted with tracks instead of tires for stability on hillsides and low soil compaction. Others ran on gasoline, kerosene, or other types of fuels out of deference to farmers who didn’t want the sooty diesel exhaust of the era to contaminate their crop.

Most iconic, of course, are the orchard tractors with extended fenders that protect the crop from the machine and vice-versa. Some of the bodywork from the 1930s to 1960s was quite sweeping, with extensive, curving sheet-metal fairings sometimes called “capes.” These made orchard tractors look more like aircraft or futuristic starships from “Buck Rogers” than the agricultural workhorses they were.

Modern Characteristics

Today’s orchard and vineyard tractors are still narrow, measuring as little as 42 to 43 inches (1.1 meters) in width, but differ greatly from the caped crusaders of the past. Some retain a low profile, but others have cabs and are much taller overall due to less overhang between the rows in modern orchards. That being said, guardrails are available to gently deflect branches from Case IH, New Holland, and other brands’ tractors. Exteriors are also still streamlined for easier passage down the rows. Models with cabs may feature advanced air filtration systems to remove dust, allergens, aerosols, and vapors. Elsewhere, a tight turning radius is highly valued, as is a low center of gravity. Power figures for these specialty tractors are typically in the 75- to 105-horsepower range, but models up to 150-plus horsepower are available, as well.

Find The Right Orchard Tractor For You

More popular orchard tractor brands include Case IH, John Deere, Kubota, Landini, New Holland, and Same. Present-day offerings include John Deere’s 5GN and 5GV series, New Holland’s T4F Narrow and T4V Vineyard series, and Case IH’s Farmall V and N series. Specific models frequently available on the used specialty crop equipment market include the John Deere 5090, 5075, and 5100 series, as well as the New Holland T4.110 series and TN95 series and the Case IH Farmall 120C and Farmall 110N.

You’ll find hundreds of new and used orchard and vineyard tractors for sale at SpecialtyCropEq.com.