HOW TO SELECT A COMPACT TRACTOR
(Page 3 of 7)
April/May 2002
By Ken Burner
As tractors increase in size—both height and width—they also usually increase in weight, horsepower, complexity and price. The bigger the tractor, the more difficult it is to operate safely. More powerful tractors can cause more damage when the operator makes an error. Larger tractors have higher centers of gravity and are easier to tip over. A larger tractor needs more storage space, wider paths, stronger bridges and higher clearance from overhead obstacles like roofs and branches. A larger tractor may need a trailer for transport, instead of riding comfortably in the back of a pickup truck. Bigger tractors may require bigger tools, and some tasks, like changing a tire that weighs more than 150 pounds, may require a helper. Larger tractors are less agile and need more room to turn. And finally, big tractors are more work just to get on and off.
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What features will I need?
You may want to consider some optional features for your tractor, such as three-point hitch, power takeoff (PTO), power steering, hydrostatic transmission, four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering or even a limited slip differential. Note that most of these options consume engine horsepower and may influence tractor size requirements.
What attachments will I need?
What implements you'll need depends on what you'll be doing with your tractor. When shopping for a used tractor, it's a good idea to try to find one with as many model-specific attachments as possible. These include belly mowers, loaders and backhoes, which are custom-fit to that particular make and model. They are expensive to add later and not interchangeable among different tractors, as with three-point hitch implements. Here is a list of some common attachments and how they might be useful to you:
Mowers. There are many different kinds of mower to choose from. Rotary mowers are the most popular and variations include mid- or belly-mounted units, PTO-powered mowers for pulling behind larger tractors and self-powered units for towing behind smaller tractors or ATVs. Reel-type mowers, which often tow multiple reels, are the type most often used by golf courses for finishing fairways and greens. Field mowers are used to roughcut fields, brush or tall grass, especially over uneven ground. Variations include rotary cutters, both PTO- and self-powered, boom, sickle bar, flail and disk mowers.
Other Implements. Dozens of general and special purpose tools, both PTO-powered and motorized, can be used with tractors. You may want a tiller or plow for breaking ground, front loader for light digging or moving material, a box scraper or rear blade for grading land or any of a seemingly endless variety of available tools, including a post-hole digger, aerator, York rake, landscaping roller, carryall, rear scoop, bale spear and so on.
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