The Better 175 bi-directional tractor with reversible operator station and four-wheel steering modes is a highly specialized piece of equipment designed for tasks requiring exceptional maneuverability, visibility, and versatility. Its unique features—such as the ability to operate efficiently in both forward and reverse directions with a fully rotatable operator station and advanced steering modes (front, rear, crab, and quad)—make it ideal for specific industries and applications where precision, efficiency, and adaptability are critical. Listed below are the most suitable industries and applications for such a tractor. These applications leverage the tractor’s bi-directional capabilities, high horsepower, and advanced steering to maximize productivity and justify the investment.
Industries Best Suited for a Better 175 Bi-directional Tractor
Agriculture
The Better 175 bi-directional tractor is ideal for large-scale farming operations, such as dairy, crop, or mixed farms, benefit from the tractor’s ability to handle high-power implements (e.g., mowers, balers, tillage equipment) in both directions, enhancing efficiency in tasks requiring rear or front implement visibility. The tractor’s 170 HP supports heavy-duty equipment, and its maneuverability suits complex field layouts or confined spaces.
Key Applications:
- Forage Harvesting and Mowing: The reversible operator station allows operators to face rear-mounted flail or rotary mowers (e.g., 16–22 ft wide), improving visibility and precision while reducing crop flattening (as noted with 170 HP tier 5 engine, which can save 12% time and 11% fuel). Four-wheel steering (crab or quad modes) enables tight turns in irregularly shaped fields or around obstacles like irrigation systems.
- Silage and Hay Handling: Bi-directional operation with front/rear PTOs and hitches supports front loaders or rear bale wrappers, streamlining silage packing or bale handling. Crab steering enhances stability on uneven terrain when carrying heavy loads.
- Tillage and Planting: Rear-mounted tillage tools or planters benefit from the reversible station’s visibility, while four-wheel steering reduces soil compaction in tight headlands.
Example: A dairy farm in Ontario using a Better 175 with its tier 5 engine for mowing, baling, and silage handling can operate more efficiently with fewer passes and less fuel.
Municipalities and Public Works
The Better 175 bi-directional tractor is ideal for small municipalities in Ontario (or similar regions) require versatile equipment for year-round maintenance, especially snow removal, grounds keeping, and infrastructure work. The bi-directional tractor’s reversible station and four-wheel steering excel in tasks requiring precision in confined or high-traffic areas, such as urban streets, parks, or municipal facilities.
Key Applications:
- Snow and Ice Management: The reversible operator station allows operators to face rear-mounted snow blowers (e.g., 96-inch two-stage) for precise snow clearing on roads, sidewalks, or parking lots, critical in Ontario’s heavy snowfalls (100–200 cm annually). Four-wheel steering (crab or quad modes) ensures maneuverability around parked vehicles, curbs, or pedestrian zones, reducing property damage and improving safety.
- Roadside and Ditch Mowing: Rear-mounted flail or boom mowers (16–22 ft) benefit from enhanced visibility, while four-wheel steering provides stability on sloped ditches or tight roadside areas, minimizing turf damage.
- Material Handling and Construction: Front/rear loaders, pallet forks, or grapples handle gravel, mulch, or debris for road repairs, park maintenance, or storm cleanup. The nitrogen accumulator weight-balancing system prevents attachment interference during turns.
- Emergency Response: Clearing storm debris (e.g., fallen branches) or flood sediment with grapples or buckets is faster with bi-directional visibility and precise steering.
Example: A municipality in Ontario using a Better 175 for snow plowing, blowing and loading trucks as well as mowing parklands and hauling materials, reduces the need for multiple machines.
Forestry and Land Management
The Better 175 bi-directional tractor is ideal for forestry operations, including logging, land clearing, and reforestation, require high-power tractors with excellent maneuverability in dense or uneven terrain. The bi-directional design and four-wheel steering enable precise navigation through forests or rugged landscapes, while the reversible station improves visibility for rear implements like chippers or grapples.
Key Applications:
- Wood Chipping and Debris Clearing: Rear-mounted wood chippers or grapples benefit from the reversible station’s visibility, allowing operators to process fallen trees or brush efficiently. Four-wheel steering (crab mode) navigates tight forest trails without damaging surrounding vegetation.
- Land Clearing and Grading: Front or rear box blades and rippers clear brush or level land for reforestation, with quad steering minimizing soil disturbance.
- Log Handling: Front loaders or rear grapples move logs, with the tractor’s 170 HP supporting heavy lifting.
Example: A forestry contractor in Northern Ontario uses a Better 175 to clear logging debris and maintain access roads, leveraging its bi-directional capabilities for efficiency.
Landscaping and Large Estate Maintenance
The Better 175 bi-directional tractor is ideal for large estates, golf courses, or commercial landscaping operations require precise, high-capacity equipment for maintaining expansive grounds. The bi-directional tractor’s reversible station and four-wheel steering allow for meticulous work around obstacles like trees, water features, or fairways, while the 170 HP engine powers wide-area implements.
Key Applications:
- Turf Maintenance: Rear-mounted rotary or flail mowers (15–22 ft) ensure clean cuts on golf fairways or estate lawns, with the reversible station improving visibility and reducing turf damage. Four-wheel steering minimizes tire marks on manicured surfaces.
- Snow Removal: Clearing snow from estate driveways, pathways, or golf course access roads with rear snow blowers or front blades is more precise with bi-directional visibility and crab steering for tight spaces.
- Landscaping Projects: Front loaders, augers, or tillers support tree planting, soil grading, or hardscaping, with quad steering enhancing stability on slopes.
Example: A golf course in Ontario uses a Better 175 Series for mowing fairways, clearing snow from cart paths, and hauling landscaping materials.
Construction and Infrastructure Maintenance
The Better 175 bi-directional tractor is ideal for construction sites or infrastructure projects (e.g., road building, utility maintenance) benefit from the tractor’s high horsepower, versatile hitches (front/rear 3-point and PTOs) and maneuverability. The reversible station allows operators to face rear implements like graders or compactors, while four-wheel steering navigates tight job sites.
Key Applications:
- Road Grading and Repair: Rear-mounted box blades or graders maintain gravel roads or prepare surfaces, with the reversible station ensuring precision. Crab steering aids in tight urban construction sites.
- Material Transport: Front loaders or rear forks move pallets, gravel, or construction debris, with the tractor’s high lift capacity for handling heavy loads.
- Utility Installation: Rear augers or trenchers for water, gas, or fiber optic lines benefit from bi-directional visibility, while four-wheel steering reduces ground disturbance.
Example: A contractor maintaining rural Ontario roads uses a Better 175 with front/rear PTOs for grading and hauling with superior bi-directional control.
Airport and Large Facility Maintenance
The Better 175 bi-directional tractor is ideal for airports, industrial complexes, or large campuses require equipment for snow removal, grounds keeping, and material handling across expansive areas. The Better 175 power and bi-directional features excel in these high-demand environments, while four-wheel steering ensures safe navigation around sensitive infrastructure (e.g., runways, tarmacs).
Key Applications:
- Runway and Tarmac Snow Clearing: Rear snow blowers or front blades clear snow from runways or parking areas, with the reversible station improving visibility to avoid obstacles like runway lights. Crab steering ensures precise alignment on long, straight runs.
- Grounds Maintenance: Wide-area mowers or sweepers maintain grassy areas or clean debris, with four-wheel steering reducing turf damage.
- Material Handling: Moving pallets of supplies or de-icing materials with front loaders or forks, leveraging the tractor’s high capacity.
Example: A regional airport in Ontario uses a Better 175 for snow blowing and sweeping, benefiting from its bi-directional operation and tight turning radius.
Specific Features and Benefits of the Better 170 HP Bi-directional Tractor
The Better 175 is the “Work Horse” of choice for small municipalities, airports, ski resorts, contractors and farmers that require a highly versatile, powerful and cost effective, multi-use tool carrier / tractor because of its many features and benefits:
Bi-directional: The Better 175 is a fully Bi-directional Tool Carrier / Tractor that allows operation of attachments at the cab and/or the engine end.
Reversible Operator Station: Allows operators to face rear implements (e.g., snow blowers, mowers) for better visibility, control and comfort, reducing operator strain and improving precision.
Multi-Function Joystick: The multi-function joystick controls 4 hydraulic outlets and the front and rear 3pth.
Integrated Foot Pedal: Controls a 3 range hydrostatic transmission delivering power to all 4 wheels with infinite speed control from 0 to 44 km per hour.
Four-Wheel Steer Modes: The wheels have 4 selectable modes of steering: front, rear, crab or round.
Crab Steering: Enhances stability on embankments, slopes or icy surfaces, critical for snow removal or ditch mowing embankments with grades up to 45 degrees.
Round Steering: Front/Rear Steering: Tightens turning radius of 3.2m (approx. 10 feet) that is ideal for confined spaces like urban streets or forest trails.
Quad Steering: Provides maximum maneuverability and eliminates axle bind, reducing ground disturbance and improving safety.
Rear Axle: The rear axle swivels 25 degrees each direction providing positive ground contact of all 4 wheels even in rough terrain.
Front/Rear PTOs and Hitches: Standard on the cab end is a 4500 kg 3 PTH (3 Point Hitch). Optional on the engine end is a 2500 kg 3 PTH with down force, 1000 rpm PTO (clockwise or counterclockwise) and up to 3 hydraulic outlets. Both ends have quick connect bottom links and hydraulic top link with external remote for easy attachment changing. Supports versatile implement use (e.g., front loader, rear blower), maximizing the tractor’s utility across seasons.
Nitrogen Accumulators: The integrated nitrogen accumulators provide attachment balancing and ride control for superior operation and control.
High Horsepower Engine: The 170 HP 4.5 Litre Fiat / Iveco Tier 5 Engine is a powerful, fuel efficient, work horse that delivers an impressive 155 HP to the PTO to power (540/1000 rpm) large implements (e.g., 96-inch snow blowers, 22 ft mowers) for faster work, ideal for large-scale tasks in agriculture, municipal services, forestry or airports.
Efficiency Gains: The 170 HP Tier 5 Fiat / IVECO Engine can provide 12% faster mowing and 11% less fuel use, translating to cost savings in fuel-intensive tasks like snow removal or grounds maintenance.
Ergonomics and Comfort: Deluxe cab with heat, A/C, pneumatic suspension, and ergonomic controls reduce operator fatigue during long shifts, critical for municipal or commercial operations.
Double Entry Doors: Entry doors on both sides of the tractor allows for easy access and exit from reversible operator station orientation.
Canadian Climate Ready: All Canadian units are modified for Canadian winters with aluminum coolers, window defroster, engine preheat, block heater and built in battery maintainer.
Justifying the Investment
Cost-Effectiveness: Despite the high price, the Better 175 tractor’s ability to handle multiple tasks (snow removal, mowing and material handling) with one machine reduces the need for specialized equipment like front-mounted blowers or additional loaders, lowering overall fleet costs. The time and fuel savings (12% and 11%, respectively) further enhance ROI not to mention its ability to maintain a higher re-sale value.
Versatility: Front and rear PTOs (540/1000 RPM), high hydraulic capacity (34–40 GPM), and compatibility with existing 3-point implements make it a multi-season, multi-task workhorse, ideal for industries with diverse needs.
Safety and Precision: The reversible station and four-wheel steering reduce operator errors and property damage, critical in high-stakes environments like airports or urban municipalities.
Durability: Robust diesel engines like the Fiat / IVECO 4.5 litre Tier 5 engine and premium build quality ensure longevity, with strong resale value offsetting initial costs.
Scalability: Suitable for operations planning to expand into larger-scale tasks (e.g., commercial snow contracts, airport maintenance) while still serving smaller, precise applications.
Climate: Ontario’s heavy snow and variable terrain make the tractor’s snow removal and slope-handling capabilities (via crab/quad steering) highly valuable for municipal and airport applications.
Dealer Support: Service by Partners Solutions at the Orillia location or New Holland dealer network. Dealer support is available over internet and phone. If you have your own mechanics on staff you may also choose to lease the Better’s diagnostic software to trouble shoot and fix any issues that may arise.
Parts and Warranty: 2 year warranty on FPT/IVECO engine and tractor parts. Common parts are stocked by Partners Solutions in Ontario and Better Canada in Quebec. Most tractor parts are from other well-known manufactures such as: Spicer Axles, Linde Hydrostats and Grammar Seats.
Budget: The high cost requires justification through multi-task use or long-term savings. Consider used options or special financing to manage costs.
Training: Operators need training on reversible controls and steering modes to maximize efficiency and safety, especially for municipal or airport tasks.
In summary
The Better 175 is the top choice for a 170 HP bi-directional tractor, excelling in agriculture (forage harvesting, tillage), municipal services (snow removal, roadside mowing), forestry (debris clearing, log handling), landscaping (turf maintenance, snow clearing), construction (grading, material transport), and airport maintenance (runway clearing, grounds keeping). Its reversible operator station and four-wheel steering modes deliver unmatched precision, safety, and efficiency, saving 12% time and 11% fuel in key tasks. To justify the investment, focus on high-demand, multi-season tasks that leverage the tractor’s unique features, reducing the need for additional equipment. Contact Partners Solutions for quotes and availability. If you need a deeper analysis of specific applications, local dealer options, or cost-benefit calculations for your industry, let us know.