High Horsepower For Half Cost

High Horsepower For Half Cost TRACTORS Traction Devices 1-2-6 Business is booming for a Colorado firm that specializes in hydrostatic drive conversion kits for putting new life into older model Wagner, Steiger or Versatile tractors. For about half the cost of comparable horsepower tractors purchased new, Acme Precision Industries, headquartered at Denver, turns the older tractors into fully hydrostatic drive units with no clutch, transmission, transfer case, or drive lines. "Best candidates for conversion to all-hydrostatic drive are used Wagner, Versatile, or Steiger tractors in which the clutch or transmission is either wearing out, or already shot," Robert "Bud" Klepper, manager of Acme's Hydrostatic Drive Division, told FARM SHOW. "In converting them to all hydrostatic drive, we strip everything except the frame, axles and wheels. All component parts we put in are new, except for the replacement engine which can be either new or rebuilt. Or, if the original engine is in good shape, it can stay. If you can find an older Wagner tractor that's priced cheap because the engine, transmission or clutch is shot, buy it. It can be turned into a top-notch hydrostatic tractor ù for about half of what you'd pay for a new, comparable 200-plus horsepower tractor purchased new," advises Klepper. He paid $5,000 for a 21-year old Wagner tractor which he converted. He tore out the engine, clutch, transmission and gear box, retaining only the frame, axles and wheels. He then installed a new 195 hp Caterpillar 3208 diesel engine and an Eaton variable displacement hydrostatic drive transmission for each axle. He also custom designed a new cab and added a fully hydrostatic pto drive. Total cost, including labor and the $5,000 he paid for the used tractor, was right at $23,000. It's key features include: • 160 drawbar hp. • A virtually maintenance free power train since it no longer contains a clutch, gear transmission, transfercase, etc. • On-the-go shifting and absolutely infinitely variable speed in a range of 0 to 12 mph. • Increased traction. If one wheel spins, it rotates no faster than the wheels still driving and additional horsepower is immediately transferred to the remaining drive wheels. • Increased fuel economy. Klepper says all models of used Wagner, Steiger or Versatile tractors are candidates for conversion to all hydrostatic drive. Cost for the conversion is about $8,000 to replace only the clutch and transmission, and up to $20,000 to $35,000 if the conversion includes a new engine, cab, extension of the wheel base, hydrostatic drive and other modifications. Another advantage with these rebuilt tractors is that they're easy to service," says Klepper. "The engine slips right out and can be removed, set on a skid and hauled to town. As for the hydrostatic drive transmissions, they're as rough and rugged as they come. They seldom require service but, if they do, they're easy to work on." Here's another possible advantage in going the "retrofit" route to get more horsepower for less cost: "You can write it off as a repair cost, as opposed to depreciating a newly purchased tractor. All components, including the Eaton hydrostatic transmissions we use, are readily available items, commonly carried in stock by local suppliers," Klepper points out. For skilled mechanics, Acme offers do-it-yourself hydrostatic conversion kits for Wagner, Versatile or Steiger tractors. Or, you can have Acme make the custom conversion. If they do the work, the job is on a "100% money back guarantee," according to Klepper. New or rebuilt engines and cabs can also be included in the custom conversion. Lease purchase options also are available. For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Acme Precision Industries, Robert "Bud" Klepper, Manager, Hydrostatic Drive Div., 5920 Logan, Denver, Colo. 80216 (ph. 303 623-7406).

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