Tractor Talk: A Rookie's Guide to Buying a Tractor

Your dream property has finally become a reality: 12 acres complete with a house, barn, several paddocks, and a spacious field for your horses to frolic. Initially, owning a farm brings sheer joy as you relish having your horses on your own land. However, soon after, reality hits: maintaining the land requires extensive labor. The fields need mowing, deteriorating fence posts need replacing, and the mounting manure pile needs managing. Equipped solely with a wheelbarrow, hand tools, and a push mower, the desire for a tractor's horsepower becomes undeniable.

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Multiple horses, expansive land, and limited time are compelling reasons to invest in a tractor for tasks such as hauling, mowing, lifting, pulling, and digging. Tractors are engineered to handle rough terrains and provide substantial horsepower, making them essential for larger farm operations. However, operating a tractor demands physical and mental exertion. Maneuvering through uneven grounds and steering heavy machinery are tasks that require focus and skill, highlighting safety as a key consideration.

For newcomers, purchasing and operating a tractor might seem daunting, but selecting the right machine can revolutionize your farm management experience. Here's a guide to help you determine your needs and choose the ideal tractor.

When is it Worth Investing in a Tractor? When determining your need for a tractor, consider factors like acreage size, terrain, horse population, and management strategies. Regular tasks such as manure handling and pasture maintenance often necessitate tractor use, but this may vary depending on your setup. For example, if your property is primarily wooded or your horses are not stabled, a tractor may be underutilized. Properties under three acres may only require occasional mowing, achievable with a standard lawn mower.

Alayne Blickle, director of the environmental horsekeeping program Horses for Clean Water in King County, WA, suggests utilizing temporary fencing to cross-fence pastures into smaller sections, allowing horses to graze these areas intensively.

For properties up to five acres, larger riding lawn mowers or garden tractors may suffice for various chores. "They offer better maneuverability for small grazing areas, and a 16-18 horsepower garden tractor can handle some implements," explains Blickle. On the upper end of the horsepower range, riding mowers can manage tasks like snow pushing or pulling small harrows or ground-driven manure spreaders.

Larger properties with over five acres of mowable pasture or rugged terrains typically require more powerful tractors. "There’s no universal rule for correlating horse count and terrain with tractor needs, but more horses and stabled time equate to more bedding and waste to manage,” says Garry Stephenson from Oregon State University. Regular mowing is crucial for pasture health and weed control in grazing-based farms.

Tractors range from small 16-horsepower units to large 500-horsepower machines for commercial operations. Despite overlapping horsepower designations, garden tractors and compact tractors are significantly different. While garden tractors are lighter and have smaller, air-cooled engines, compact tractors are robust, with water-cooled engines, larger tires, and sturdier frames built for demanding farm work.

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How Much Horsepower Do You Really Need? With the right tractor, implements, and operational skills, property upkeep tasks like fencing, grading, clearing debris, and maintaining arenas become manageable without external hires.

But how do you choose an appropriate tractor? Forget car selection criteria like make, model, and luxury features—tractors are purely functional. Create a list of expected tasks for your tractor, and let that guide your purchase. Consulting a knowledgeable dealer is essential for recommendations tailored to your farm requirements.

According to Hood Geisbert, an experienced farm-equipment dealer, most horse-farm owners prefer compact tractors with 16 to 45 horsepower, depending on their specific needs. "Discuss your plans with a dealer, and verify their suggestions with neighbors," advises Geisbert.

Investing in slightly higher horsepower than necessary can prevent strain on the machine and accommodate occasional large tasks. "If your plans include intense farming activities like haymaking, you’ll need at least a 50-horsepower tractor," says Stephenson. However, overbuying can also cause logistical issues with large tractors needing more maneuvering space and limited barn or gate access. Smaller properties benefit significantly from four-wheel-drive tractors for greater stability and reduced ground damage.

Choosing the Right Implements A tractor's power is only useful when paired with job-specific implements, which connect via drawbars, power takeoff (PTO), or hydraulic systems.

• Drawbars for simple pulling
• PTOs for driving spinning implements behind or mounted on tractors
• Hydraulic systems for movable attachments like loaders and hitches

Small tractors typically offer these power options, but compatibility with new or used implements needs verification during purchase. Manure spreaders, mowers, front-end loaders, and chain harrows are key implements for horse-farm tasks, each suited for specific purposes from manure management to soil aeration and debris clearing.

Larger operations might also consider investments in additional equipment such as haying machinery, including mower-conditioners, tedders, rakes, and balers. These tasks demand significant power, typically requiring a minimum of 35 horsepower for running haying implements.

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Exploring Alternatives to Brand New Equipment Purchasing new tractors and implements can be a significant investment. For those seeking economical solutions, consider options like custom work, rental or leasing, sharing with neighbors, or buying used equipment. Local farmers or commercial operators might offer pay-by-hour services for specific tasks, and renting from dealers provides temporary machinery access without maintenance obligations.

When shopping for used tractors, reliable dealerships offering warranties and follow-up service are preferable. Avoid potentially unstable "tricycle" models, and consider pros and cons between gas and diesel engines. Diesel tractors are more fuel-efficient and reliable but need engine warmers in cold conditions. Regular maintenance is crucial for extending the lifespan of your tractor, including routine lubrication, fluid checks, and timely servicing.

Buying a tractor parallels selecting a horse—both are significant decisions requiring careful consideration of "soundness," suitability, and safety. Begin with ample practice in a flat, clear area to get comfortable with your tractor's controls. Beginners may benefit from state-offered machinery operation and safety courses, ensuring confident and safe usage. Once you've integrated the right tractor into your farm life, managing your dream property becomes far more efficient and less labor-intensive.

This article originally appeared in the April 2002 issue of EQUUS magazine.

Tough Question, Fairly Simple Answer

Today, we’ll address a common question: "What is the best brand of compact tractors?"

Available brands in North America include:

• Kubota
• Deere
• Mahindra
• New Holland
• LS
• Kioti
• Yanmar
• Tym
• Branson
• Massey Ferguson
• RK (via Rural King Farm Store, built by Tym)

Lessons in Tractor Selection

Most brands offer entry-level no-frills tractors as well as deluxe models. Understanding the differences between them is essential. Ask dealers to show both versions and explain the specific differences.

One can always upgrade bare-bones models later with attachments like front-end loader grapples, tree shears, or manure forks. For consistent use, deluxe models generally offer coveted features lacking in basic ones.

Quality across these eleven brands is notably similar, with Korean-made tractors now matching Japanese quality. To select the best compact tractor, prioritize finding a trustworthy dealer who will provide ongoing support and service.

Regardless of the brand, maintenance is vital. Comprehensive maintenance kits, tools, and sprayers can enhance the longevity and safety of your tractor.

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