Sorry for not posting before. I´ve been quite busy on the last days.
Yeah, that was my Major design project at Coventry University in 1999: the Ergos Farm Tractor. Time flies!
I wanted to do a new tractor based on a conventional one, although some tutors tried to convince me to design a kind of Fastrac with 4 equal size wheels...
You can think it is not that original, I mean the features you can find on it but I think the way they are put together is something different...
OK, let´s go:
It is not articulated. By then I had just seen a picture of a 2+2 IH in a fantastic book "Farm Tractors" by Nick Baldwin. On the other hand I think articulated models are best suited for towed implements. I think behaviour of an articulated tractor can be confusing for someone who is used to work with rear mounted implements. The Research Report for the project revealed most of tractors sold in Europe are conventionals so... Sorry if I´m wrong Laapa.
Why not create a small bonnet like Deutz-Fahr made with the original Agrotron and keep the good balance of the Valmet design with engine over the front-axle...?
Apart from the barbecue area, The reasons for the platform between the cab and the bonnet are basically three:
- Improved access to the cab by using the left door: I think most of farmers do not use the left door because is quite uncomfortable to go over the throttle pedal and between the steering wheel and the right hand console/controls. So let´s eliminate the right door (some models don´t have it, you know Lee). By placing a platform you don´t have to go around the tractor. It´s faster to go through it...
- Improved side visibility around the bonnet: I think it can be even more important than the front visibility over the bonnet (ok, very interesting for front implements and loaders). I do like the 8000 and MX Magnums narrow bonnet by the cab. By placing the hood forward it desappears by the cab and the front side views are better between the bonnet and the tyres (here it is important the shape of the platform to not avoid the side visibility).
- Isolated cab: less noise and vibrations
Besides these package improves maintenance, I think.
Now the cab:
As paddyland said I like the SG2 cab but I don´t like that door (narrow and confusing access) and the interior size (too small). OK, let´s keep the good visibility on the right side by using a curved windscreen (I had previously eliminated the right door) and add the conventional left door and interior space to place a passenger seat.
Besides this curved windscreen suggest a rotating movement inside the cab... But I will explain you this point on another day. Now it´s too late for me
I have sent some drawings to the webmaster to better illustrate my explanations. Sorry if quality is not very good, these drawings have been scaled down to scan them. The original ones are A2 size, so the finishing is not the same.
Feel free to ask any doubt ???and post critics
