Choosing a Tractor
A tractor makes your life so much easier that once you buy one, you’ll ask yourself, “why didn’t I do this sooner?” Farmers around the country invest in tractors because they know the upfront cost will quickly be counteracted by the increase in productivity. Buying a tractor can feel overwhelming, so we put together a guide to choosing a tractor for you. Remember that you can always visit Boehm Tractor Sales in Seguin, Texas to scope out the latest Mahindra and New Holland models.
Implements
The first place to start is considering what you need the tractor to do. There are many types of specialized tractors built for a select grouping of tasks. That way, people aren’t paying more for tractor capabilities they will never use. But it means you need a clear idea of your tractor’s purpose before shopping around. For example, if you only need to mow fields, then a small tractor will be fine. But if you need to haul trailers or equipment, you’ll need a larger tractor designed to handle the excess weight.
Once you find a tractor with basic features meeting your needs, you can consider implements. Make sure your intended upgrade is compatible with your desired tractor. Common accessories include spreaders, rotary tillers, a drawbar for towing, and so on. You’ll need to check your tractor’s components. The PTO (power take-off) drive shaft gets power from the engine to whatever you connect it to. You’ll want to make sure it’s powerful enough to run your intended implement. Then there are hydraulic pumps. These push energy back into the implement. You’ll need energy flowing from your tractor to your implement. Otherwise, your accessory won’t work.
Property Terrain
Not all tractors are well-suited for all terrain types. Make sure your trailer (and any accessories) is capable of driving around on your terrain type. For example, if your land is covered in trees, rocks, or other obstacles, you won’t be able to easily navigate on a wide tractor. Or if your land is relatively flat, you can benefit from a faster tractor.
Specs
With all the numbers listed for each tractor, it can be tough knowing which really matter for your intended purpose. Horsepower is the first place to start. Here you aren’t looking for high speed, but rather high power capabilities. The more power you need, the higher horsepower you want.
A second key spec is the PTO. It’s not helpful if your tractor is powerful, but it can’t get enough power to its implements. Make sure the PTO is high enough to power your implements.
Beyond those two specs, you may want to spend time evaluating the hydraulic systems and drawbar ratings. These can affect how you get your work done.
Another great spec to consider is your tractor’s size. There are subcompact tractors ranging between 20 and 30 hp. These tackle smaller tasks on smaller properties. You can still use them for heavy-duty projects and can equip them with loaders, backhoes, mowers, and tillers.
If you want to tackle larger projects, a compact tractor can be a better option. They range between 25 and 60 hp. They include a wider range of transmission, PTO, and hydraulic options. This equips them to handle heavier loads.
Manufacturer
You can tell a lot about a tractor by what manufacturer created it. Sure you can save money by buying a tractor from a low-end manufacturer, but the trade-off is usually higher repair costs and lower efficiency.
Spend some time researching manufacturers. Brands quickly build a name for themselves. Go with a company known for well-built tractors. Scope out reviews and blogs to see what owners are saying. You want to know how well the tractor functions a year or more in, not just the first few months. Two great brands we always recommend are Mahindra and New Holland. They create tractors that are dependable, durable, and highly productive.
Ready to scope out some potential tractors? Visit Boehm Tractor Sales to check out the latest Mahindra and New Holland models. We proudly serve those in Shiner, Seguin, Victoria, New Braunfels, Columbus, and Austin, Texas.