If you are thinking about buying a new tractor for your farm, one of the first questions that will cross your mind is "What size tractor am I going to buy?" There is a lot of information on the Internet concerning which tractor is the right one for what you need. Before buying a tractor there are some very basic questions that you should ask yourself to help make sure that you get the right machine for you. These questions will not only help you choose a tractor that is right for you, but it will also help you determine what implements that you may want to include in your tractor.
The most important question that you need to ask yourself when trying to decide what size tractor do I need is "what tasks does my new tractor fulfill?" If you have an intensive field to tend to and you have a large number of small tillers then you need to be sure that you are purchasing a machine that can handle this type of work. If you simply have a large number of smaller tillers then you will probably be better off with a smaller tractor that can perform more basic tasks. Some examples of what tasks that a small tractor can be used for include planting crops, fencing a field, tilling the land, and other similar activities. For these tasks you will definitely want a machine that is very lightweight and maneuverable.
Another question that you should ask yourself when trying to decide what size tractor do I need is "How much horsepower does my new tractor have?" There are some very basic factors that go into determining the amount of horsepower that a machine has. These factors include how much materials it can carry, how many people can operate it, and how many acres it can cover. For a small farm industry, a lightweight, fuel-efficient engine is generally the best way to go for general purpose tractors.
When figuring out what size tractor do I need, you also need to figure out what size of harvesting equipment do you need. Many small farms are strictly ornamental in nature and their main crop is usually small scale crops like tomatoes. In this case, a combination of harvesters and sprayers may be more than enough. Larger food plots, on the other hand, may require the use of a sprayer and a ground tiller. In this case, there will probably be a need for more powerful machinery. If you have a large plot of land that is worth a considerable amount of money, you may want to consider hiring a piece of equipment that will help you harvest the food.
One last question that you should ask yourself when trying to decide what size tractor do I need is "Do I need a tractor with a big engine or a tractor with a small engine?" While some combine harvesters and sprayers, for example, can perform very well even with a small engine, most compact engine tractors are not nearly as powerful as their larger counterparts. Because of this, many people choose to purchase a tractor that is specifically designed for small scale farming operations.
The final factor that you should be asking yourself when attempting to answer the question, "what size tractor do I need?" is how much yardage do you generally hauling. Most lawn tractors, for example, have the ability to be attached to a vehicle to increase their mobility, but they also have a large number of attachments that can be added. Most people who are consistently picking up large amounts of yard waste will find that they have a great deal of extra space in their tractor that can be used for additional activities like riding lawn mowers, tilling the soil, and harvesting crops.
Most garden tractors typically have at least one bucket, a tiller, and at least one cultivator. These are the typical functions of most tractors, although there are some specialty models that may do additional tasks. For example, someone who is regularly picking up larger items that are not in use will likely need to have a tiller on hand in order to turn small pieces of wood or stone. Even if you have a tractor with a cultivator attachment, it is often possible to attach a plow or snow blower to increase your work area.
Finding the correct answer to the question, "what size tractor do I need?" can be simple if you take the time to consider all of your needs. With a little research and a general knowledge of what sort of tasks your tractor is best suited for, it should become relatively easy to determine whether you need a compact model that will only haul your lawn equipment to golf practice, or whether you require something a bit more spiffy for getting the kids in shape. Once you have determined what sort of tractor you want, you can begin to shop around for just the right machine for your needs.
