UDLX question/OT

[railhead]

Knowing that the UDLX would travel at 40 mph or so, andd knowing that it was basically a UTS, and knowing that some of you guys on here own or have owned or grew up around UDLX, are there any stories of accidents involving a UDLX at top speed? I own a UTS and have owned 3 previous to the one I now have...stupidly sold them all (but to collectors so I know they are safe for now). All this being said, 5th gear on a standard UTS at full throttle is way faster than I feel safe with. I was just wondering if there were any safety record for the UDLX. tractor tires really aren't designed for that speed and in the UDLX day they certainly were behind on tire technology from now.

 

[KSTractor]

Back in 1982 I worked with Bob Manion who had been a MM block man when the UDLX came out. Bob had a picture of 4 or 5 UDLX's, himself and the other block men for Wisconsin in front of the MM branch warehouse on East Washington ave. in Madison, later it was Andre auto parts.Bob said he had to use his in place of a car to make his dealer calls until a car pulled out in front of him near Fond du lac. One self energizing brake pedal sucked its self to the floor when he stepped on them so he spun around and landed upside down in the ditch.He could not fall out of the seat with his suitcase and briefcase in the cab with him, so he didn't get hurt and the only damage to the tractor was losing the spot lite and antena.He said the good thing was he didn't have to drive it anymore. It didn't ride too well. There was a lever that allowed you to disconnect the counter shaft when you got into 5th gear and also let you override the governor so they would do 45mph.

 

[Molineone]

I often thought about that 45 mph thing myself. Which do you want: a tractor or a car, you can't have both. My UTS gets a little scary in road gear, with wide open trottle, and a bump in the road. I can't imagine doubling that speed. Good thing the UDLX was too expensive for the average farmer to buy in 38' or MM might not have lasted as long as they did - you know, with all of the lawsuits they would have had to fight...

 

[Anonymous-0]

When getting ready for dads auction I drove his from storage to the auction site and my brother followed me , my tractor speedometer showed I hit 40 and my bro confirmed it from his truck. I never gave the dangers any thought I just wanted to do it. 70 yr old tires Yikes ! of course I was a little younger then LOL actually it drove nice and kinda slowed on its own without braking at all. Steering was really tight and responsive. Anyway it was my only chance.I had good insurance...I think

 

[railhead]

wish you had shot a video.....it would have been worth a lot. you have more nerve than me because like I said, 5th wide open is scary on a UTS with that narrow guage rear tread and poor brakes and steering that from the factory was kinda "iffy". I love em but they are capable of going pretty fast.

 

[yonson]

Great story, thanks for sharing it. Sure helps to clarify what the UDLX would do. RW

 

[brian(MN)]

I thought a friend told me that the UDLX had a 6th gear? I can't imagine them them being very safe, imagine the bounce from the rear tires if they weren't perfectly round? Years ago, a neighbor here had one, farmed with it, said the cab was hot and dusty in the field. He had to remove the side fender to use the belt pully. And when he pulled a loaded wagon down the highway, it took a long time to get rolling in high gear. It was traded after a year or two.
Brian(MN)

 

[Alan K]

That is something Ive often wondered myself...how do you get to road gear? I would think there would have to be another shift around 25 or 30 so you can get up to 40...

 

[Tex Aggie]

That is fast. i know that our 5star feels fast in 5th gear wide open. our 1086 IH will go around 30 i know for a fact

 

[molinegb]

There was no 6th gear. All that happened is the governor is thrown wide open.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Not only did the UDLXgo approx 40mph, but alot of people forgot the silver king row crops in the late 40's and until their demise would run 35 to 40 mph in high gear with one single front wheel. we had several and most of the time we drove them home. come to realize that may have been a little 'STUPID'.