How to pick the right tractor and tools for your land - THE TRACTOR BUYER’S GUIDE
How to pick the right tractor and tools for your land
THE TRACTOR PRO SHOP BUYER’S GUIDE
READY TO WORK YOUR LAND?
COUNT ON A TRACTOR PRO FOR A HELPING HAND
If you are considering buying a tractor, you have come to the right place. Congratulations and welcome to the tractor lifestyle. Whether you have horses or cattle. Are planning to build a home, barn, garage or other structure. Will you grow fruits and vegetables or raise animals. Or simply considering a tractor for property maintenance or for your family’s use and enjoyment? A tractor is an important decision. Regardless of how many acres you already own or plan to purchase, there’s a lot of work needed to make your lifestyle a reality. To get started and successfully manage your property, you’ll need the right tools to help you clean, grade, scrape, level, mow, plow, harvest, dig, build, and haul equipment and supplies.
Selecting the right tractor and attachments can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. This buyer’s guide will prepare you to talk with a nearby tractor dealer. After reading this, you’ll be ready to comfortably make the best purchase decisions based on the types of jobs you plan to do, the size of your property and the conditions in which you’ll be working. This Tractor Buyers Guide is here to help, so LET’S GET STARTED.
Before you visit a tractor dealer, read this Tractor Buyers Guide. Why? Because unless you grew up on tractors, deciding which tractor and attachments to buy can be confusing. That’s why we’ve prepared this buyer’s guide. In it, you’ll learn how:
•Compact and Utility tractors, fueled by efficient and environmentally friendly diesel engines, provide the horsepower and versatility to handle almost any tractor job on your property.
•Attachments engineered to match your tractor’s size and capabilities can help you do more work faster so you have more time to enjoy your property.
•Utility task vehicles (UTVs) enable you to move more people, tools and materials to wherever work or play needs to be done on your property.
TRACTOR BASICS
What you need to know before buying a tractor: Compact tractors, fueled by efficient but powerful diesel engines, provide the versatility to handle almost any job around your property. Here’s a quick look at tractor features that will help you get the most work done.
How much horsepower will you need?
Tractors come equipped with a wide variety of engine types (gasoline and diesel) and sizes (rated in horsepower). Garden tractors and older, used tractors typically have gasoline engines. New subcompact, compact and large farming tractors are equipped with more powerful diesel engines. Consider liquid-cooled diesel engines with advanced fuel-injection systems that deliver added power to take on the heaviest loads, and greater efficiency to get every job done on less fuel. Tractor engines have three or four cylinders, depending on size, which is measured in horsepower. The amount of horsepower you should buy depends on the type of work you need to do, as well as the terrain, acreage and other land conditions.
Here’s our best advice: It’s better to buy a tractor with more horsepower than to try to get by with the minimum engine size. Jobs take longer with a smaller engine. Follow this Tractor Horsepower Selection Chart as a Guide:
How will you drive your tractor?
A true tractor is basically a machine with a relatively large engine designed to survive work that might include pulling a plow through tough soil for 10, 12 or more hours a day. A machine with that kind of reserve power can be put to work in countless other ways to push, pull or lift. Moving the tractor forward or backward happens when a transmission built just as ruggedly as the engine transfers power from the engine to the rear wheels or to all four wheels. That’s the simple explanation. Here’s where your choices become complicated. Tractors come with various types of transmissions, but these are the most common:
Manual (Standard Type) Transmissions
Manual (standard type) transmissions require stopping and clutching to change mechanical gears using a system of levers and pedals. This is a standard tractor design typically found in older, used tractors. Manual transmissions require an experienced operator to run smoothly and can be tiring to control.
Hydrostatic Transmissions
Hydrostatic transmissions are the "Automatic" transmissions of the tractor world. They use simple pedals to control the hydraulic pressure that propels the tractor. This transmission design makes operating a tractor more like driving a car and therefore easier for users of any skill level. Hydrostatic and Hydrostatic Type i-HMT Transmissions are now considered the most preferred and popular type of tractor transmission to own.
i-HMT Transmissions
There’s a third transmission option that is considered the most modern and productive. The integrated hydraulic mechanical transmission (i-HMT) transmission combines the efficiency of a standard mechanical gear transmission with the high usability of a hydrostatic transmission. If you plan to be behind the wheel of your tractor for several hours at a time, especially to use a front loader, an i-HMT transmission is not only easier to operate but also more comfortable.
Two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive?
If you are going to use your tractor primarily for mowing, two-wheel drive will likely meet your needs. Two-wheel drive is typically found on small garden tractors and many older, used farm tractors. If you plan to use your tractor with a front loader to dig, to pull heavy loads or to plow large fields, four- wheel drive will provide the extra traction needed for bigger jobs. New compact tractors usually are equipped with four-wheel drive and a selector to switch between two-wheel drive with power going to the rear wheels or with all four wheels engaged. If you’re wondering whether you should save money by purchasing a tractor with two-wheel drive, consider this: Four-wheel drive increases the capability of a tractor without having to buy a larger engine in a larger tractor. The extra traction of four-wheel drive improves the tractor’s capability to work in slippery or muddy conditions and to safely and efficiently move heavier loads. In addition, while four-wheel drive indeed is a more expensive option, the resale value of a tractor equipped with it is typically higher than that of a comparable two- wheel-drive tractor.
What other tractor features do you need?
Modern Tractor Controls
Consider a tractor with an operator station that makes the machine and attachments easy to operate for first- time owners and more comfortable for drivers who plan to spend long hours behind the wheel. Look for whether the loader control is at your fingertips, integrated into the side console. -This design is comfortable because you can sit with your arms on the armrests and easily reach the loader control. You can exit either side of the tractor without interference from the loader control. Tractors can have numerous controls. Choose designs that color-code levers for fast and easy recognition. Assess your skill level. Tractors with fewer controls are simpler to operate.
What gives your tractor the power to lift and dig?
A hydraulic system powers everything from a compact tractor’s steering and brakes to the front loader and other attachments.
Many tractor attachments connect to the hydraulic system using selective control valves (SCV), also known as spool valves or remotes. For example, a flexwing rotary cutters and similar implements typically require two SCVs: one to lift the cutter and one to fold the wings.
Be sure to determine the hydraulic pump capacity of the tractor you want to purchase. The capacity is measured in gallons
per minute (GPM). Compare the tractor’s hydraulic pump capacity with the GPM required by the attachments you’re also considering, to determine whether the tractor has enough power to run the attachments.
What kind of tires do you need?
Tractors come with tires in a variety of sizes. Larger tires provide more ground clearance. Talk with your dealer about how you plan to use your tractor and the type of terrain on your property. Your dealer will recommend the appropriate tire size and tread style.
You also will choose from among the three commonly available selections for tire tread for subcompact and compact tractors:
R-3 turf tread has the least traction but protects the ground and is ideally suited for lawn mowing and other turf care tractor applications.
R-4 industrial tread
Industrial tread provides excellent traction in many tractor operating conditions. R-4 is a popular compromise between the aggressiveness of ag tires and the lower traction of turf tires.
How much comfort and convenience do you want?
You’ll be alert and comfortable when riding and working in a spacious, climate-controlled tractor cab. Optional, enclosed operator stations provide additional protection from the weather, noise, dust and stinging insects. If your property is in a cold, snowy region, or in an area with a long, hot growing season, a cab makes it possible for you to keep working no matter the conditions. Optional, factory-installed cabs enclose the operator station and deliver comfort with heating and air conditioning to keep you productive regardless of the weather.
Other features to consider:
•A cab equipped with an air filtration system will keep the dust out.
•Look for a cab with large glass windows. Excellent visibility is critical. Optional cabs on tractors are designed with an innovative, curved-glass windshield.
•An isolated operator platform reduces vibrations from the engine and rough terrain. That means the vibrations are decreased even to the operator’s seat.
PUT YOUR TRACTOR TO WORK
What do you want to get done around your property?
There’s an attachment, tool or implement for nearly every job you will want to perform with your tractor. Your next step is to decide how you want to use your tractor and what tasks you need to complete. What jobs you want to do with your tractor? Move dirt, gravel, hay bales, silage, muck, snow, logs, other material or supplies? Attachments to consider:
Front-end loader with a Bucket, Pallet forks, Log or pole grapple, Bale spear or Plow blade
To Grade and level driveways, pastures, fields, animal pens, animal exercise areas, prepare landscaping
•Box scrapers
•Grading scrapers
•Landscape rakes
•Rear blades
To Remove snow from driveways, parking areas and roads on your property
•Snowblowers
•Front-end loader with bucket or plow blade
•Rear blade
•Rotary broom
To Prepare soil for gardening, farming, landscaping
•Rotary tillers
•Disc harrows
•Raised-bed shaper
To Dig holes for planting trees or building fences
•Post hole digger
•Backhoe
To Seed gardens and crop fields
•Food-plot seeders
•Precision seeders
To Harvest hay for animal feed
•Drum disc mower
•Tedder/rake
•Round baler
To Dig and excavate for drainage, pipelines, electrical lines or building construction
•Tractor Backhoe
Dig, lift and move
A front-end loader is one of the most versatile and popular attachments. It enables your tractor to dig, scoop, scrape and lift dirt, animal waste, logs, silage, gravel, snow, hay bales, supplies and building materials. A hydraulic system powers the front loader to make easy work
of heavy loads. A quick attachment system enables you to easily remove and connect a wide array of front-loader attachments:
Mow grass and control weeds and brush
Many landowner's buy a tractor to mow the lawn or trim grass and weeds in pastures. They’re very different jobs, however, and you’ll need attachments specially designed for each.
Finish mowers Rotary cutters
Mowers can turn acres of grass into a well- groomed lawn. Belly mowers attach under your tractor between the front and rear wheels, and tend to be easier for many first-time tractor owners to maneuver. Other finish mowers connect to the three-point hitch at the rear of the tractor. Both types of finish mowers are powered by the PTO. For the largest lawn tasks, there are pull-type finish mowers that mow up to 12 feet wide and fold hydraulically for easy transport and storage.
A rounded-front, tapered-side, rear- discharge deck enables you to mow with better maneuverability and thus reduce trimming. Heat- treated alloy steel blades deliver a beautiful, high-precision cut on any type of grass.
Single-spindle rotary cutters sized for compact tractors help you make short work of anything that’s growing where you don’t want it. They’re not designed to give your front lawn that well- manicured look. Instead, you’ll be able to quickly cut down brush along miles of fence line, or keep weeds under control in an orchard or pasture.
Mounted rotary cutters connect to the three- point hitch at the rear of the tractor and are powered by the PTO. They typically are available in widths from 42 to 180 inches. Quality cutters are designed with a rugged frame, a smooth, slope-top deck and quick-change blades built to easily handle the toughest conditions.
Scrape and grade - Whether it’s landscape grading, construction cleanup or snow removal, your tractor can handle any of these jobs with the following grading and leveling attachments:
•Box scrapers easily carve into sod and dirt. Box scrapers are designed to level a surface by scraping material from high areas and filling in low spots.
•Grading scrapers make heavy-use surfaces look like new. Turn driveways, show arenas and the path around your lake or pond into smooth surfaces.
•Landscape rakes spread topsoil and gravel, remove stones and debris, prepare soil for planting or seeding, and grade livestock areas and gravel driveways.
•Rear blades scrape, grade and level a yard, driveway or field roads, plow snow or clean a livestock pen.
Snowblowers
You can move large amounts of powdery, crusted, icy or heavy, wet snow with snowblowers purpose-built for subcompact and compact tractors.
Two-stage designs deliver more throwing force with less horsepower. Some snowblowers connect to the three-point hitch and are powered by the PTO at the rear of the tractor. Snowblowers are available for the rear or the front of the tractor and come in many widths.
Purchasing these other attachments enables your tractor to handle other jobs and can also help you with snow removal:
•Front loaders are versatile and can be used with a bucket or blade to remove snow from paths, driveways and parking areas.
•Rear blades attach to the three-point hitch and are designed to scrape snow and ice on driveways and parking areas.
Prepare the soil
When you need to prepare soil for gardening, farming or landscaping, consider these attachments that break up the soil and open the ground for oxygen and nutrients to reach the roots of grass or plants:
•Rotary tillers loosen the soil for landscaping and gardening. They attach to the three-point hitch and PTO at the rear of the tractor.
•Disc harrows are used for primary tillage, secondary tillage, gardening, food plots, firebreaks and weed control. Rugged disc harrows open
and break up the soil for planting, seeding or landscaping applications. Disc harrows for compact tractors typically attach to the three-point hitch at the rear of the tractor.
•Bed shapers meet the needs of larger home gardening and produce farming operations by combining four actions in one pass. A rotary tiller breaks up the soil to the proper condition and depth. An integrated bed shaper forms the soil into a raised planting bed. Irrigation tape or tubing is then installed on top of the bed, and finally paper or plastic mulch is installed on the bed to control moisture and weeds. Bed shapers attach to the three-point hitch at the rear of the tractor.
Build fences and plant trees
If you own rural property, there’s a good chance you will need to build or repair fences to create pastures and pens. And you may also need to plant trees and shrubs for landscaping and to create food plots and shelter for animals. Those are back-breaking jobs if dug by hand. Instead, a tractor with an attached post hole digger will make quick work of digging holes for fencing, decks, animal pens and barns, as well as for planting trees and shrubs.
Post hole diggers
Power augers connect to the three-point hitch at the rear of the tractor and get their power to dig holes from the PTO. Post hole digger attachments are available in sizes from 6 to 48 inches in diameter and 36 and 48 inches in length.
Seed and plant
Whether you’re gardening for your family’s use or you plan to grow fruits and vegetables to sell at local
farmers’ markets or to restaurants and grocers nearby, you’ll count on a tractor to help you quickly seed gardens and crop fields.
•Food-plot seeders establish, maintain and replant food plots, plus tackle a range of other seeding and planting tasks.
•Precision seeders handle primary seeding, over- seeding and special applications such as planting native grasses and establishing food plots.
•Accessories for seeders include front-spiked rollers, disc blades and cultipackers, which are heavy iron rollers that smooth the seedbed.
•4-in-1 bed shaper provides four solutions in one tool: rotary tiller, bed shaper, irrigation installer, and application of paper or plastic mulch. All in one pass.
Seeders and bed shapers attach to the three-point hitch at the rear of the tractor and are pulled by the tractor.
Feed your animals
Many property owners who raise horses, cattle, sheep or other kinds of livestock choose to grow and harvest hay to feed their animals. It can be less expensive than purchasing hay from third-party growers, and you also can control the type and quality of grasses and forage crops you feed to your animals. To cut and bale hay, especially with subcompact tractors under 30 horsepower, you will need specialized attachments for your tractor. You’ll also want attachments that are reliable and ready to work so you can make hay when sunny and dry days are available. Consider these attachments :
All three of these hay tools are commercial quality but are designed in smaller sizes to perfectly match and work with tractors, including models under 30 horsepower.
Disc mower:
Used to cut and lay down the hay crop in order for the hay to begin drying. The disc mower attaches to the rear PTO and the three-point hitch so that it can be raised hydraulically to turn or transport. Disc mowers can cut quickly to help you complete the harvest before weather has a chance to diminish the quality
of your hay.
Three-in-one tedder/spreader/rake:
Round baler:
A subcompact round baler attaches to the three-point hitch and rear PTO of your tractor and produces round bales 28 inches long by approximately 20 inches in diameter. Depending on the type of hay crop and the bale density you select, the finished bales will weigh from less than 30 pounds to more than 60 pounds to make them easy to handle. Sisal, hemp or plastic twine ties and secures the bales.
Dig and excavate
Property owners can always find another project to build or an extra job to do. When the work requires digging deep into the soil for trenches or excavating a site for a building, retaining wall or pond, you will want a backhoe attached to the rear of your tractor.
Tractor Backhoes
Backhoes use hydraulic power to efficiently dig into the soil. The depth of excavation depends on the size of the backhoe. Some backhoes enable a subcompact SA Series tractor to dig down 7 feet, whereas a tractor with more than 40 horsepower can dig a trench 9 feet deep. Be sure to think about whether you plan to use your tractor to dig now or whether you might want to add a backhoe later. Is the tractor you’re considering capable of attaching to and powering a backhoe? They attach to the rear of the tractor frame and require power from either the PTO or the tractor’s hydraulic system. Backhoes can be installed at the factory or added by the dealer. That’s not always an option for some manufacturers’ compact tractors, so keep this in mind if there’s a possibility that you will need a backhoe in the future.
EASY MAINTENANCE
Your tractor should be simple to keep in good condition and easy to get tractor repair parts and service. Compact tractors are complex machines and a significant investment, but they provide years of service if you take care of the machinery with regular, basic maintenance. Consider purchasing a tractor that’s designed with easy access to monitor and replenish these inner workings:
•Engine coolant
•Engine oil and oil filter changes
•Hydraulic oil
•Grease fittings (such as on front-axle, steering and front-end-loader joints)
•Air and fuel filter inspection and replacement
To make regular servicing that protects the value of the tractor even easier, ask your dealer if they offers maintenance kits that include everything you need to keep your tractor operating at peak performance. Each item in the maintenance kit is an approved product, ensuring the highest quality and guaranteed compatibility with your tractor.
WARRANTIES - What repairs and service are covered?
It is important to ask your tractor dealer about EXACTLY what parts, repairs and service are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty and how long the coverage lasts after you purchase your new tractor. Used tractors typically are not covered under any warranties.
UTILITY TASK VEHICLES
You’ve been considering purchasing a tractor, but many property owners like you also buy a UTV to provide additional transportation to other job sites while another person operates the tractor. With a UTV, you can carry people, tools and supplies wherever they’re needed around your property.
Look for a rugged UTV designed with these features for use in all conditions:
•Electric power steering delivers precise handling and the right balance of comfort and assist over any terrain.
•Hydraulic disc brakes on all four wheels are designed for smooth, safe stopping.
•Four-wheel drive has the capability to quickly switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, and a four- wheel drive mode with a full-locked front differential.
•Fully independent, long-travel suspension on all four wheels enables each wheel to respond to ruts and bumps for great traction and rider comfort.
•A reinforced steel cargo bed is large enough to haul a full-sized pallet loaded with your supplies or gear.
And, when the work is done, UTVs can help you spend more time enjoying your land. Whether you hunt or fish, or just want to walk in the woods, a UTV can get you there and back faster.
VISIT YOUR LOCAL DEALER
Rely on experts to help guide your tractor choice. Now that you’ve explored compact tractor features and are thinking about how a tractor can help you live and work on your rural property, it’s time to talk with am experienced and helpful tractor dealer. Many are landowners just like you. They grow fruits and vegetables and raise large and small animals. They have landscaping projects. They like to help their neighbor dig out after a big snowstorm. They understand what you’re trying to accomplish and use their expert knowledge to recommend, the tractor and attachments that best match your requirements.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT
www.TeamTractor.com
602-734-9944
