Another Kind Of Tractor

[Cub-Bud]

Here is another favorite tractor of mine; an Air Tractor Model 602. I have been a long-time fanatic of ag aircraft and this one is my favorite.



This tractor can cover some ground in a hurry The AT-602 cruises at a speed of 182 mph and a works at a speed of 145 mph. It's wingspan is 56 ft. and it weighs 5,600 lbs. The Pratt and Whitney turbine on the front of this tractor churns out 1,050 HP at 1700 RPM.

Here is a youtube link of in-flight video footage which lasts about 10 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Lf2kmUJXA

Here is a link to Air Tractor, Inc.

http://www.airtractor.com/

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Machines such as that have always fascinated me. They aren't used in this part of the country, so I always stopped and watched them every chance I got when traveling to my in-laws in central AR.

[PageRob]

I heard a radio report recently that said that crop dusting was one business in danger of going extinct in the next ten years, primarily due to the increase in GM foods and such...
Nice machine though. Saw some modified for fire fighting here in AZ not too long ago.

[Pony Master]

I have had one like this flying over my house for the last 2 years. It sure does not take him long to get the job done. He comes real close to the top of the house.

[Rudi]

CB:

The Air Tractor is a pretty cool bird. Not used only for crop dusting but are also excellent fire fighting aircraft and are similar to close ground support fighters, they can drop retardant on a dime and do on a regular basis. For a Navy type, I am really into birds of all kinds.... so living by the airport and parallel to the primary runways I get to see my fair share of birds

The other day there was a fire out at Turtle Creek - our city's main reservoir. I got a real treat -- 3 Air Tractors and 1 TBM Avenger. I think it is the last Avenger still flying as a water bomber and I think the last of 2 or 3 Avengers still flying at the moment period world wide.

It is really neat to hear the roar of the P&W turbines in concert with the unmistakeable husky rumble of a radial. Magnificent

FPL has 6 or 7 AT-802-F series aircraft such as this one:



And of course who could forget these?




I have other pics of the Avenger's just not on my puter yet.

[PageRob]

1 TBM Avenger. I think it is the last Avenger still flying as a water bomber and I think the last of 2 or 3 Avengers still flying at the moment period world wide.

Wow, that's really cool Rudi!!! I gotta admit to a bit of jealousy there, though I guess if you've got to have a fire nearby to bring that bird around, well...

[VinceD]

I have always enjoyed watching a crop duster in action. That was one occupation we automatically red-lined when it came to insurance.

[Steve Butram]

Bud we have had 2 Ag Cats and a Bell hellicopter crash in 5 days here in central indiana . Both the ag cats lost oil pressure and the Hellicopter lost power. No one was hurt in the crashes but one plane will be recovered at harvest. it was left in the field. you can't mistake that Turbine whine