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 - [[LifeTrac_Competitors]]

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: