Compared to hand and horse-powered labor, tractors perform most tasks around the farm more efficiently, in less time, and involve less physical labor. Knowing what jobs tractors are and are not intended for can help you decide if one is necessary for your operation.
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Tractors can serve as pulling machines for wheeled implements like wagons when attached to the drawbar. A tractor's three-point hitch provides extra capacity for traction and adjustments while carrying implements that can be raised and lowered. Tractors are not typically designed to safely pull stationary objects, unless equipped with a specialized attachment, such as a winch.
Tractors can provide power to attached equipment, delivered through a power-take-off or hydraulic system. They can power both stationary equipment ' such as grain augers or wood splitters ' and mobile machines, including hay balers, mowers, and choppers. Providing remote power to attached implements is a huge benefit of tractors, but is a feature not without risks. The point of attachment between the tractor and implement it is powering is often the location of fast-moving parts, which can become a point of injury if not covered by a physical guard.
The addition of a front-end-loader makes tractors a useful tool for handling and moving materials, like feed and manure. Front-end-loaders are not intended for moving people. Front-end-loaders change a tractor's center of gravity, and can increase the risk of a tractor overturn if raised too high.
Take some time to make a list of the tasks on your farm that require a tractor or could be done more efficiently with a tractor. Since you may be purchasing a tractor that you might be using 10 years from now, it's important to think about today's needs, but also what those needs might be in the future.
If you are a rural property owner:
If you are a market farmer:
If you have livestock:
Before heading out to purchase a used machine, think about the existing relationships with neighbors and nearby family members. Are there farm tasks you could do in partnership with them? Do they have equipment you could borrow occasionally from them, or jobs you could hire them to perform? Perhaps you have equipment or other specialized skills you could trade for use of their equipment. This will help you further focus your list of tasks and needs in a potential tractor.
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Continue your pre-purchase considerations by thinking about the where, when, and who of your operation. This will help you determine what features to look for in a tractor.
Your property and facilities may have an impact on the features of your tractor. Consider the width of your driveway, access roads, and areas you'll be working in frequently. Are there tight spaces you'll need to pass through or under? If so, this will factor into the size of your tractor.
It's always wise to avoid operating on or near slopes and hillsides. Tractor rollovers are a common occurrence and are by far the biggest contributor to farming being the nation's most deadly occupation. If the needed work requires operation on slopes, wide-set wheel spacing, four-wheel drive, and/or front wheel assist will be a desirable feature. Also, consider storage space and location. A tractor stored indoors or under a roof will be easier to maintain and will hold its value longer than something stored outside.
Think about who will be operating the tractor. Their age, experience, and physical abilities can help determine key ergonomic features to look for. Generally, it is not recommended that school-age kids operate tractors or other complex, powered machinery. Training programs for teens are often available to acquaint them on safe operation. Most machines are designed with grown adults in mind, so seat adjustment is a must for shorter operators, and while common on new tractors, may not be present on older models. A simple instrument panel and color-coded controls may be important features for inexperienced operators.
Comfort is another consideration. If you'll be operating frequently in hot or cold weather, an enclosed cab with climate control will make operating much more enjoyable. An enclosed cab also offers some protection from the noise generated by the tractor engine. A cab that is well sealed and is equipped with a working air filter and blower can also help minimize dust exposure.
Depending on the type of tasks you'll be doing and when you'll be doing them, you'll want to consider other features. If your work involves frequent mounting and dismounting of the tractor, the number of steps and height of the tractor's steps to the ground is something to consider.
Buying a new tractor is sort of like picking a wife: You need to find one you can stay with for the long haul. Understanding this, it's important to make direct comparisons among all the brands of tractors, getting as close to "apples to apples" and "oranges to oranges" as possible. We visited with several major dealers in our area to make some of these direct comparisons to get you started on what could be a daunting task of choosing a new tractor.
Four questions to ask before tractor shopping
1. How much horsepower do I need?
Always get enough horsepower to operate the largest implement you may use, even if it is still in your future. Not enough horsepower can be a safety issue, as well as wear out a tractor prematurely if a tractor is asked to do more than it is rated for.
2. Do you need two or four wheel drive?
You need to determine on what type of terrain you will be working and how you will be using your tractor. Will you be operating on flat, level fields and doing crop work, or will you be on a hilly, rocky terrain, brush hogging or feeding round bales?
3. Do you want a cab?
Some people consider a climate-controlled cab as a luxury that simply adds more cost to a tractor. However, consider a farmer can be more productive and operate his equipment safer in a cab than he can in the elements, especially after many long hours put in.
4. Do you like the tractor?
You should sit in the tractor, see where the controls are positioned, check visibility from the cab, entry and exit and certainly drive it.
Why Try Their Brand?
We went and asked five dealers at Farmfest why we should purchase their tractor, and what one of their best selling points was. Here's what we heard.
The Kubota dealer told us we should get a Kubota tractor, 'Because we have the best warranty in the business, and we build all of our own engines and power trains.'
The Mahindra dealer told us, 'We are the fourth largest tractor producer in the world.'
The New Holland dealer said, 'The new models have a Cummins diesel engine.'
A John Deere dealer told us, 'John Deeres hold their resale value better than any other tractor.'
We asked about Deutz tractors. The representative told us many farmers believe their engines are still air cooled, like they have been in the past. But we were assured, 'Our engines are water cooled now.'
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