First-Of-Its-Kind One-Track Tractor

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"It offers the traction of a tracked tractor with the maneuverability of a wheeled machine. I think it's the most innovative tractor on the market today," says John Lansberry of Woodland, Pa., who recently introduced a one-track tractor with a single rubber track down the center and two big 42-in. wheels on the outside.
The 16-in. wide track has a 5 1/2-ft. long footprint and provides most of the traction, while the two tires provide stability and steering.
Lansberry has more than 32 years of engineering experience in the mining and excavating business. He developed the Tract-A-Pillar, as he calls it, for use in agriculture, forestry, and construction. Two companies, one in forestry and the other construction, have already ordered machines.
"It can operate in nearly all conditions with minimal disturbance to the soil," says Lansberry. "Minimizing ground disturbance is particularly important in the forestry and landscape business where regulations have become very strict. The mechanical and hydraulic design of this tractor makes a zero turning radius possible without damage to the soil surface."
"One of our prototypes has more than 1,000 hours on it. We tested it equipped with a front-mounted blade and loader and also mounted a LaForge 3-pt. hitch on front for carrying various attachments. It's well-suited for agricultural work."
According to Lansberry, conventional two-track tractors have limited maneuverability which requires "locking up" one of the tracks to turn sharp. That tears up the ground. Four-wheeled tractors, on the other hand, have better maneuverability but limited traction.
"The need for a dual purpose machine like Tract-A-Pillar is obvious when you consider that major equipment manufacturers such as Caterpillar and Deere offer both rubber tire and track machines in the same line, such as loaders or backhoes," says Lansberry.
The new one-track tractor has a modular design that reduces the number of components needed by one third compared to conventional two-track or four-wheeled machines. "Other than the steel frame, oil reservoir, cab, and operator controls, most components are off-the-shelf. That keeps the cost down," he notes.
Another advantage is that the single track design allows the engine and major drive components to be positioned near the ground, which results in a very low center of gravity that allows the vehicle to operate in steeper terrain than conventional vehicles. "In one test we used a crane to lift one side of the machine up at nearly a 45 degree angle but it still didn't tip over."
Lansberry is taking orders to custom build machines from 10 to 500 hp.
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