Found this on CL. Its fully functional. http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/grd/4702205209.html He's awful proud of it based on his price, but it's still pretty cool in my book. Those old 3xx series are tanks. I've got a 314 and another 314 parts machine. I beat the snot out of it and it comes back for more every time.
That was cool. Remind me of the old time dozers. That Deere even looks like it has a coat of wax on it, it's so clean
I'd have to kinda disagree with that (the useless part) after watching the guy tool down his driveway with it. What we don't know tho is how much actual power is being transfered to the tracks. If it's got plenty of muscle where the tracks meet the muck/snow/debris... it might be useful for tight areas pulling medium sized logs, bulldozing light stuff, plowing snow, etc. I think it could do at least 4x what it could do with just 2 powered rear tires.
I don't see it because it seems like it would need more power to turn the tracks, and unless it's regeared it couldn't pull any more than the wheeled 317!! Plus I image those tracks would tear up some turf also. So for me I see something cool to ride in a parade and show your friends. Now this being said, I would love to have one!! LOL
... I'd like havin' one in the garage too. The video shows it moving right along, so if it's geared down, it's not much. As I said, if it's got good muscle at the tracks, it could actually do a lot of things in slimy conditions that tires wouldn't. The tracks will tear up the ground when turning tho... pretty bad sometimes. How heavy would a buggy like that be? Guessing each track/ bogie wheels must weigh 100 lbs. The guy can drop it off here for a week and I'd be happy to find out how well it does...
The 3 xx series weigh in around 850lbs dry in factory form. I bet it's easily over 1000lbs in its current state.
Not sure how much a 317 can pull, but I have an older 212 with lugged tires and wheel weights, and have pulled a trailer with a total weight of close to 3000 lbs behind it through my yard. It was snortin' pretty good, but it pulled it. I assume a 317 would be capable of even more.
We have lawn mower tractor pulls in this area. If it has any real pulling power it would be a hoot seeing it hooked to the pull sled, but alas, me thinks its a overly expensive toy. Nice job though.
