MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Montana State University’s two Multihog multi purpose tractors have proved to be the ideal solution for year round maintenance of the 160 acres of turf, 5 miles of street and 25 miles of sidewalk on the campus, situated in south central Montana. The Multihogs have replaced previous pieces of equipment and according to Dave Hawkins from the Department of Landscape and Grounds, they are the most versatile machines that the University has come across.

An Ideal Solution for Year Round Maintenance

The MH90 models can be used with all the University’s existing front mounted attachments thanks to the Multihog 3-point adaptor plate and the Multihog skidsteer adaptor. Implements that were previously towed with an agricultural tractor can now be fitted to the rear thanks to a pintle hitch.  “We try to improve our operations with each new purchase of equipment,” said Dave, “and this has definitely been the case since our recent acquisition of the Multihogs. They can be put to use for so many tasks, and the excellent visibility, quick change of attachments and operator comfort compared to our previous machines are further benefits.”

For winter maintenance, the Multihogs are used primarily for clearing sidewalks on campus and work with a front mounted sweeper, a V-plow and a snow blower, which can be interchanged according to the depth of snow, as well as with a sander on the rear.

In the summer time one machine is fitted with a 12’ 6” mower deck for use on sports fields, and the other works as a “jack of all trades”, handling a wide variety of jobs as they pop up. The number of attachments deployed at MSU exemplifies the vast array of tasks that can be carried out with the Multihogs. Dave Hawkins: “We have fitted pallet forks for moving pallets of material around campus, a sidewalk edger, an aerifier, a clamshell/grapple bucket for moving dirt, and have moved material using our 1.5 yard³ hoppers. We have also pulled our Dakota turftender for fertilizer application and for some dirt grading work.”

“The constant availability of the Multihogs, their ability to access all areas and to undertake the widely differing tasks at MSU whatever the season has improved productivity and everyone involved has been very satisfied with the overall performance,” said Darin Smith, who recommended the machines on behalf of local Multihog dealer Alpine Smith Inc.