The tractor is one of the most prized possessions of a farmer. Buying a farm tractor is an important decision and thus, you must know all the factors to consider before buying your first tractor. Your hard-earned money should be invested wisely. Take an ample amount of time and research well on which tractor model to buy as to enhance farm productivity. Consider the following factors while choosing the right tractor for your farm.
Today, the importance of technology and modernization in agriculture cannot be overstated. A host of machinery and farming equipment are available today, which make farming tasks easy, more profitable while considerably reducing human efforts. One such machinery available is a tractor. Tractors are among the machinery being used today in modern farming for plowing, tilling, planting seeds, spreading fertilizer, lawn care, and much more. Tractors come with an advantage in farming as they are versatile, easy to operate, and durable. However, choosing the best tractor for your farming needs can be complicated, especially if you have no experience with them.
12 Tips to Choose the Right Tractor
1. Take consideration of your property:
First of all, see the size of your farm and then, choose the tractor accordingly. For instance, large-scale farms require tractors of more horsepower (45-70 HP) as there are a variety of farm tasks to perform such as tilling, spraying, mowing, etc. whereas, for smaller size farms, tractors of about 35 HP may fit for agricultural purposes.
The choice of your tractor should align with your property needs. As such, when planning on what type of tractor to buy, focus on the size of your property. Acquiring your preferred tractor ought to be cost-effective, taking into consideration the present and future needs within your property.
2. Your Budget:
It is important to note that tractors can cost you a considerable amount, which makes it a significant investment. You need to have a defined budget to guide you to get what you are looking for in a tractor.
3. Horsepower:
The choice of horsepower of a tractor is a crucial decision that is dependent on the size of your farm as well as the variety of tasks to be done. At present, there are 2 types of ratings used by the manufacturers to measure the power of the tractor:
– Engine horsepower
– PTO horsepower
4. The Engine:
It is important to note that your tractor is only as powerful as the engine within it. The engine determines the horsepower of the tractor and the kind of work that it can handle. This is why the engine is an important factor while deciding to buy a tractor.
5. Buying a new tractor vs. an old tractor:
One of the decisions to be made is whether to buy a new tractor or an old one. There are concerns that a majority of used tractors have diminishing returns and are quite high on price. In comparison, buying a new tractor comes with a host of benefits in terms of configurations, sizes, safety, fuel consumption, etc.
6. Hydraulics:
Please note that the work of a tractor involves a lot of turning and lifting. The hydraulic system is what makes this possible. Hydraulic fluid transmits energy through the hydraulic system and makes it possible for a tractor to move and work. The hydraulic fluid is also responsible for lubrication and control heat transfer. Therefore, before you take a tractor home, ensure that the hydraulic system is functioning optimally.
7. Utility:
While buying your first tractor, be clear of the usage. Different agricultural tasks require different machines. Rather than upgrading and turning out heavy on your pockets, make a list of tasks and choose the tractor wisely. Tractors of variable horse powers require tractor implements to be attached for getting the desired job done on farms.
8. Look out for the right hitches:
It is most likely that you will use your tractor alongside other equipment. If this is true, then you need to look out for a tractor that has the right kind of hitch type for your work. There are different types of hitch attachments that are designed to raise or lower any attached equipment with ease or are designed to use with forklifts and front-end loaders.
9. Lift capacity:
When choosing to buy a tractor, you need to be careful with the lift capacity as it can be very tricky. Tractors are available with different lift capacities such as arm lift capacity, static lift capacity, full height lift capacity among other types. Additionally, each tractor comes with different hydraulic flows and pressures. Therefore, it becomes extremely important, and is advisable that you buy a loader and tractor from the same manufacturer for compatibility.
10. Comfort and Safety:
Look for the comfort and safety of the tractor while buying. Few common things on which you can focus are:
- Sufficient space between pedals and fenders
- Proper design of the operator’s platform
- Seat adjustability and steering wheel
- Accessibility of controls from a normal range of reach
- Fine condition of handholds
- Visibility of panel lights
11. Transmission:
Basically, there are 2 types of transmissions:
- Hydrostatic transmission
- Mechanical transmission
A mechanical transmission is more power-efficient than hydrostatic transmission. However, the hydrostatic transmission provides the freedom to select any ground (or engine) speed between zero and the maximum, and thus, it is more efficient in terms of operation.
12. Resale value:
The brand of a tractor that you buy should be easy to sell even after many years of use. You would not want to buy a tractor that you cannot dispose of easily whenever you decide to. As such, it is recommended that you buy your tractor from a manufacturer that holds a top spot in the market. This will not only ensure that you get good service but also a better resale value.
Highlighted Points of Infographic
- In this infographic, we are showing all the essential tips to choose the right tractor for your farm.
- The infographic includes points such as Analyse the Property, Final Budget, Check Horsepower, Engine, Innovative Features,Comfortable and Safety and Resale Value.
- This infographic helps the farmer to instantly buy the right tractor as per their farm requirement.
Evidently, there are so many factors that you need to consider before you buy a tractor. While it is not easy to choose the best tractor to suit your farming needs, the tips mentioned above give you a head start on what to look for in a tractor to ensure that you buy the best one. Let your present and future needs guide you into making a decision, take time to understand what makes a great tractor, and never put more emphasis on one factor only.
Choose a reliable tractor dealer to buy your first tractor. Visit www.tractorjunction.com to buy the best tractor for your farm and see the magic ahead!
