How to choose the right tractor

Decision to but tractor is an important exercise and thus, you must consider all the factors before making the purchase. Take your time and research well on the model of tractor to buy. 

Tractors are among the machinery used in modern farming for plowing, tilling, planting seeds, spreading fertilizer, lawn care, and much more. A tractor’s advantages are numerous as they are versatile, easy to operate, and durable.

Consider the following factors while choosing the right tractor for your farm.

1. Consideration of your farm:

Look the size of your farm first and then, choose the tractor accordingly. For example, large-scale farms require tractors of more horsepower (45-70 HP). These arethe kind to perform such as tilling, spraying, mowing, etc. whereas, for smaller farms, tractors of about 35 HP will fit the bill.

The  tractor you choose should align with your farm requirements. When planning on what type of tractorto buy, focus on the size of your farm. Importantly, acquiring your preferred tractor ought to be cost-effective, taking into consideration the present and future needs within your farm.

2. What is your budget:

It is important to note that a tractor can be expensive, which makes it a huge investment. Define your budget before hand to guide you to get what you are looking for in a tractor.

3. Horsepower:

Horsepower of a tractor is a vital factor  depends on the size of your farm as well as the types of tasks it will be used for. currently, there are 2 types of ratings used by manufacturers to measure the power of the tractor:

– Engine horsepower

– PTO horsepower

4. The Engine:

Note that your tractor is only as powerful as its engine. The engine determines the horsepower of the tractor and the load of work that it can handle. For this reason, the engine is an important factor when deciding to buy a tractor.

5. Buying a new tractor vs. a second-hand tractor:

Decide whether to buy a new tractor or a used one. There are valid concerns that a many of the used tractors available locally have diminishing returns and are quite high on price. If you are capable, buying a new tractor comes with lots of benefits in terms of warranty, configurations, sizes, safety, fuel consumption, etc.

6. Hydraulics:

The main 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. This is what makes it possible for a tractor to move and work. The hydraulic fluid is also responsible for lubrication and controls heat transfer. Before you take a tractor home, check thoroughly to ensure that the hydraulic system is functioning optimally. It’s a bad idea to buy a tractor with signs for major hydraulic issues.

7. Purpose of use:

When buying your first tractor, be clear of the usage. Different agricultural tasks require different machines. Instead of upgrading later and turning and burning your pockets, make a list of tasks and choose the tractor wisely the first time. Tractors of different horse powers require implements to be attached for getting the desired job done.

8. Look out for the right hitches:

Many times you will use your tractor alongside other equipment. Therefore 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 a tractor, 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 others. Also, each tractor comes with different hydraulic flows and pressures. Therefore, it becomes extremely important 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. Common things to focus on 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 want to buy a tractor that you cannot dispose of easily whenever you need to. It is therefore recommended that you buy your tractor from a manufacturer that holds a top spot in the charts. This will not only ensure that you get good service but also a better resale value.

As you have seen, there are many factors to consider before you buy a tractor. It is not easy to choose the ideal tractor to suit your farming needs, the tips we have you a great start on what to look for in a tractor to help you select the best one. Your present and future needs will be your greatest guide into making a decision. Take time to study more on what makes a great tractor, and don’t make a final decision using one factor only.

Sources: Tractor Junction