A tractor is a highly useful piece of heavy machinery designed to carry out specific types of work. Though tractors are best known for mowing and agricultural operations, they can also be used in land-clearing applications, construction, landscaping, livestock operations, excavation, manufacturing and industrial settings.

Tractors can also be used in recreational ways. Many people participate in sports like tractor races and tractor pulling. There are tractor clubs in which members gather and build model tractors. Some people also collect antique tractors.

Classes of tractors

Tractors are manufactured in three different categories.

• 2-wheel drive
• Front-wheel assist or unequal 4-wheel drive
• Equal 4-wheel drive tractors

The 2-wheel drive tractor is most suitable for basic mowing on relatively level ground and when the tractor has to be frequently transported over long distances. However, four-wheeled drives (4WD) offer significantly greater benefits than 2-wheel drive tractors and enjoy the bulk of sales in the small and medium-sized tractor market. To use loaders on the front of a tractor, you need a 4WD. They are better on surfaces with poor traction and have substantially better resale values.

Tractor parts and features

• Tires: Different applications have different tire requirements. Tractors use a variety of pneumatic tires like agricultural tires for working in loose dirt, industrial tires for heavy mowing and loading, and turf tires to minimize surface damage after mowing.
• Safety Features: Tractors have lights and flashers for road travel. Newer models provide an additional facility in the form of an operator presence switch. This switch turns off the engine when the operator is not in the driver’s seat. Tractors should also have rollover protection structures (ROPS) for enhanced safety. ROPS, along with the seat belt, ensure that the operator is not crushed in a rollover accident.
• Enclosed Cabs: They can provide significant benefits to tractor operators in extreme temperature. They carry a high additional cost but also increase the resale value of your tractor. The AC units on the cab consume 3-4 HP which makes them less appropriate for tractors with engines smaller than 25 HP.
• Transmissions: You can choose between manual and hydrostatic transmissions. Hydrostatic transmissions allow clutch-free operation and have recently become quite popular. They are more expensive than manual transmissions and also reduce the available horsepower slightly. Manual transmissions save you money and are suitable if your tractor operators are well-acquainted with the use of clutch.

Tractor Attachments

Different attachments perform different functions and allow you to use your tractor for multiple purposes. Most attachments connect to the back of the tractor. The most popular tractor attachments are backhoes, blades, buckets, bush hogs or mowers, harrows, hole drillers, landscape rakes, spreaders, forks, grapples, and hay bailers.

• Backhoes allow you to dig precise holes and specific alignments using your tractor.
• There are different types of mowers. Rough cut and brush mowers cut through heavy growth while finish mowers are used for detailed work. Bush hogs are large mowers that can comfortably mow acreage. Side mowers allow you to drive on the road while mowing the side ditch, or other areas outside the tractor’s reach.
• Blade attachments are good for plowing snow and large dirt quantities. Box blades scrape or push earth, for grading and leveling.
• Buckets are semi-permanent attachments. They are used for moving and carrying rock, equipment and many other things. Buckets have a hydraulic lift for better mobility.
• Tillers, plows, and disk harrows are agricultural attachments used for preparing fields.
• Front-end plows and blowers are snow blower attachments to move snow out of range.
• A front-end loader attachment is used for carrying dirt, rocks, mulch, and other loose materials or heavy items and for leveling and landscaping work. Unlike other attachments a front-end loader connects to the front of the tractor.
• Most tractor attachments used for digging or cutting attach to a power take-off (PTO) drive shaft. They connect to the tractor using a three-point hitch at the back of the vehicle. PTO allows these attachments to run on the power of the tractor engine. In addition to saving time and money, this turns your tractor into an all-purpose vehicle.

Buying considerations

Horsepower determines the amount of work your tractor can do and the attachments it can support. Greater the horsepower requirement greater will be the tractor price. Tractor models are distinguished from each other on the basis of horsepower:

• Small-end tractors have less than 25 hp power and can handle basic lawn work. Tasks like tilling and heavy brush mowing cannot be performed by these tractors.
• Middle range tractors between 25 and 65 hp are suitable for horse farms, nurseries, and other commercial uses.
• Tractors having over 65 hp of power are used for demanding jobs like tilling fields and baling hay.
• Tractors over 200 hp are also available for commercial farming requirements.

Versatility: Different tractors support different types and numbers of attachments. The more versatile the range of attachments that can be supported or the more options the tractor has for connecting attachments, the greater will be its price. It is crucial to consider the horsepower of the tractor engine when you decide the attachments you need.

Surface type: Before purchasing a tractor, determine the type of surface on which it will work. Different surfaces like flat ground, landscaped grass, loose gravel, muddy fields, pavement or hilly terrain, have different tire requirements.
Surface Impact: A tractor should be equipped with the right type of tires to ensure that its tracks do not cause damage to grass or loose surface on which it is intended to be used.

Time of Use and Weather: The time of usage of the tractor, whether day or night, can affect the type of tractor most suitable for you. Similarly, weather conditions in which the tractor is required to work can also help you narrow down your tractor choices.

Coverage Area: Tractors are appropriate for work that extends over large areas like mowing and plowing large fields. Tractors have faster speeds than skid steers making them more suitable for this type of work.

Engine Fuel: Tractor engines can be powered by either unleaded or diesel fuel. Some can also run on grain.

Price and Dealer Considerations

Purchasing a New tractor: Tractors are costly machines, available in a range of prices from $10,000 to over $50,000. The prices vary with engine power and the number of attachments. 25 hp tractors with no attachments cost around $10000. An addition of one or two common attachments, like a loader or mower, will increase the price by $2000-$5000. The prices of 60 hp machines start at $30000, while 100 hp tractors start at $50000. Most new tractors carry at least a two to three year warranty. Compare tractors from multiple dealers before making your purchasing decision.

Financing: It is possible to get finance for your tractor purchase as most dealers have tie-ups with banks or other financial institutions. Take quotes from two or more sources and compare them thoroughly before making a decision.

Attachment Prices: Tractor attachments are also available in a range of prices from a few hundred dollars for simple box blades to over $6000 for backhoes. Loader prices usually fall in the $3000-$5000 range.

Purchasing Used or Gray Market Tractors: Tractors are expensive. Consider buying a used tractor if you are on a budget. However, it is very important to observe caution while purchasing used tractors. The tractor must be in good shape and should carry at least a one to two month warranty. Carefully compare the price before purchasing a used tractor, because with warranty and financing charges, the price can come close to that of a new tractor.
A “gray market” tractor is an imported machine sold semi-legally in the market. They offer considerable money saving opportunities but their PTO systems may not meet the market standards. Additionally, finding replacements for damaged parts for these tractors can be quite difficult.

Before choosing a dealer, consider his past experience and reputation in the field of tractors. Choose a dealer you can work with in the long run. Tractors require constant maintenance and service. Routine maintenance tasks include changing the engine oil, replacing filters, and lubricating joints. Though many owners prefer to perform these tasks themselves, your dealer should provide you with a detailed maintenance manual and give you a demonstration of the necessary procedures, if the need be. Some dealers also offer annual maintenance contracts for a small fee. To get the most out of your purchase, select a dealer who can send his technicians to check or pick up the tractor if it needs major repairs. Don’t just go after a low initial price, assess the maintenance charges as well. Additionally, your dealer must be capable of providing you with all tractor parts and attachments that you currently need or may require in the future. Do check references and compare the performance of different dealers before making a decision.