I spent some time around Thorp and Stanley, Wisconsin today and yesterday and saw steel wheeled tractors all over. Not just a few, but many. About the only brands I didn't see represented on steel wheels was Agco and New Holland (and any 4wd). Many of the farms had their skid loaders on steel wheels too and I even saw a lawn mower and SP haybine on steel wheels. However, none of the equipment had steel wheels and every one of the farms had newer vehicles. I think the oldest one I saw was maybe a 2002-3 Pontiac. One of these farms even had an H2 Hummer on it. Anyone know the reason behind the steel wheels on the tractors and nothing else?

Here are some of the pics I took: