are tractors getting faster

[justAl]

or am I getting older? I've noticed that this year I am finding it increasingly difficult to get a tow from tractors, I just can't get behind. Once upon a time (and not that long ago) I could chase them down. Now I can't even slipstream as they go past,even with a trailer full of spuds!!

 

[bonj2]

ime, some can manage a steady 25, some even 30, but others can't (or don't) do 20.
I've been overtaken by some (albeit it takes them a while to get past), and on other occasions have been in front of them but gradually losing them, a couple of times even overtook them.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Those big jobs with the fully enclosed aircon cabs can be quite quick over the ground. The smaller, rattly old "proper" tractors where the driver is open to the elements often struggle to go as fast as a POB on a supermarket full susser.

 

[wafflycat]

This sort of question reminds me of a poem about a cat who muses upon ageing... don't know who the author is though.

"He blinks upon the hearth-rug,
And yawns in deep content,
Accepting all the comforts
That Providence has sent.

Louder he purrs and louder,
In one glad hymn of praise;
For all the night's adventures,
For quiet, restful days.

Life will go on forever,
With all that cat can wish;
Warmth, and the glad procession
Of fish and milk and fish.

Only, the thought disturbs him,
He's noticed once or twice,
That times are somehow breeding
A nimbler race of mice."

 

[tyred]

Most of the modern tractors can do 30+mph.

Most of the 1990s could do around 25mph.

From the 80s and before, about 12-18 would have normal with some Leylands and Fords maybe managing 20-22.

 

[classic33]

You'd be looking at 40+ with regards top speed.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/04/08/68511_machine.html

Tyred, remember the farmers protests of a few years ago. Convoys of tractors sticking to 50, less if the speed limit went down.

 

[justAl]

Wafflycat, yep. hammer, nail and head come to mind. Thanks for that!!

 

[classic33]

There is this one:
http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2008/05/17-second-14-miler-backhoe-at-rocky.html
not strictly a tractor but

 

[wafflycat]

Wafflycat, yep. hammer, nail and head come to mind. Thanks for that!!

Most welcome old thing!

 

[furball]

Every tractor driver I see seems to have a mobile phone clamped to their ear.

 

[Joe24]

Tractors are great fun, they are getting abit faster though.
I went up Longdale lane(some may know it) sat very close behind a tractor and trailor, doing about 22/23mph. Driver knew i was there because i kept moving out so he could see me in his mirror, and so i could get a cool draft, and when he turned off brakes slowly and indicated well in advance.

Some of the knew ones ive seen have been bombing along doing 30mph+ though

 

[J4CKO]

Our office complex has a farm at one end, a striaght road and the farmer blasts down there in his massive 4wd tractor, its huge and he must be doing 30 plus, then as its rural, come the end of summer they all compete to see whats the best, most dangerous cyclist mangling implement they can fit is.

 

[Joe24]

Me and a mate were in Derbyshire, going down a narrow-ish road, him infront of me when we see a tractor, we brake and think ahh we will fit, then see the wide machinary at the back thats at calf hight with some sharp-ish metal bits on
Luckily we get past, but he takes abit of a wall out.
Very dangerous

 

[2Loose]

This sort of question reminds me of a poem about a cat who muses upon ageing... don't know who the author is though.

"He blinks upon the hearth-rug,
And yawns in deep content,
Accepting all the comforts
That Providence has sent.

Louder he purrs and louder,
In one glad hymn of praise;
For all the night's adventures,
For quiet, restful days.

Life will go on forever,
With all that cat can wish;
Warmth, and the glad procession
Of fish and milk and fish.

Only, the thought disturbs him,
He's noticed once or twice,
That times are somehow breeding
A nimbler race of mice."

To be sang to the tune of Bob Dylan's Times they are-a-Changin'
(Just seen Watchmen, so know this one)

 

[HJ]

Most of the modern tractors can do 30+mph.

Most of the 1990s could do around 25mph.

From the 80s and before, about 12-18 would have normal with some Leylands and Fords maybe managing 20-22.

Aye, I remember driving tractors in the 80's they were soo slooow...

The thing I really notice about modern tractors, when I am out on the bike, is that now they so big...