Tell me about Porsche tractors

[IanMcLeod]

I know absolutely nothing about Porsche tractors other than the fact they exist. I have never seen one in the metal. My only reference point for vintage tractors is the 1957 Ferguson FE35 in the picture below that I own.



So are Porsche tractors similar ... do they have a similar layout/design?

This is how you would summarise the Fergi.

General layout is engine at front bolted directly to transmission bolted directly to rear axle.
No separate chassis.
One piece front swing axle.
Solid one piece rear axle.
Diesel engine.
1 reverse gear, three forward gears.
High and low gear selector.
Hydraulic clutch.
3 point rear linkage.
Linkage up and down driven by hydraulics (with ferguson system which is supposed to automatically lift the plough out the ground if it hits something)
PTO.
PTO selectable to either engine speed or transmission speed.
Hydraulic takeoff point.
Mechanical rear drum brakes.

So are the Porsche tractors more advanced?.
Anything Porsche tractors do that others don't?
What's different in the list above for a Porsche tractor?
Do they use the same linkage points and PTO design (so could I use my current equipment on a Porsche tractor)?

Ian.

[butzsi]

Hi Ian,

Most of your questions are answered on this flyer. The clutch is operated by a direct mechanical linkage from the pedal. The layout otherwise is the same other than dimensions and of course the fact that Porsche tractors are air cooled.



The Super (3 cylinder) has an extra gear and even more features.




[/quote]So are the Porsche tractors more advanced?[quote]

Yes! But then I am biased....

Chris

[hot66]

not sure if you're going to be able to read this :

[jwhillracer]

I know absolutely nothing about Porsche tractors other than the fact they exist. I have never seen one in the metal. My only reference point for vintage tractors is the 1957 Ferguson FE35 in the picture below that I own.

So are the Porsche tractors more advanced?. No - your 1957 Fergie 35 is light years ahead of the Porsche in hydraulic design, power and operation.
Anything Porsche tractors do that others don't? Run without water, and don't freeze, crack blocks and blow core plugs when left outside in the frost.......................
What's different in the list above for a Porsche tractor? Not much on basic layout, but you would need at least a 2cyl Standard to operate the same equipment as a 35.
Do they use the same linkage points and PTO design (so could I use my current equipment on a Porsche tractor)? Similar, IF they are fitted, but the hydraulic pump is nothing like as powerful, and since Ferguson had patented their hydraulic system, that on the Porsche is nothing like as sophisticated. Porsche hydraulics go up and down (maybe!), no depth control, weight transfer, or self levelling.
Having said all that, after spending a week in the summer driving them, I want one!
Just have to work a bit more on SWMBO.....................

Cheers!

JW

[butzsi]

Traitor!

Porsche do have a levelling adjustment on the hydraulic lift, and I somewhere have the paperwork to prove it...

Lynch pins at dawn then


Chris

[jwhillracer]

They might well have an adjustment, the Ferguson system does it automatically....................

I'll borrow a couple of Crispin's lynch pins, so that you're not blinded by the early morning sun glinting off them!

JW

[Mitch]

At the risk of being barred by Bootsy and shunned by everyone else.... there's a 5 page spotters guide to Porsche Tractors in the Dec issue of (whisper it) Porsche Post. If anyone wants it, happy to post my copy.

It's also plugging a (very pricey) book of tractor photographs taken at the Great Dorset Steam Fair http://www.ianfoster.co.uk/porschetractor/book.php

[butzsi]

Great article!

Only marred by the omission of photo of my old 1963 Junior 109.........that led to my current position.

Chris

[IanMcLeod]

I was going to post that I had just read the latest Porsche Post and feeling much more enlightened. Being a simple person the large number of pictures helped enormously.

I also picked up (I think) the naming convention relating to the number of cylinders and therefore relative power

Junior = 1 cylinder
Standard = 2 cylinder
Super = 3 cylinder
Master = 4 cylinder

Ian.

[Ian Gunney]

some interesting stories in there too.