Buying a tractor is not like buying a car; when you buy a car, you consider the durability and strength of the engine and other features, but chances are you also think about gas mileage, luxury and comfort, and features that make your drive time more enjoyable. However, a tractor is all about work and not about luxury or comfort. You want a tractor that will perform for the jobs you need and remain durable for decades, but don't want to overspend on a larger or more powerful tractor that goes beyond the needs of your small homestead. If you're ready to buy your first tractor for your small farm or homestead, first note the following.
1. Horsepower and size
The more horsepower your tractor has, the stronger it will be for hauling and dragging attachments, such as tillers, behind it. While you want a tractor with a good horsepower that will provide the power you need, and one that is heavy enough to counterbalance bales of hay and equipment you might tow, be careful about purchasing something too large. If your homestead or small farm only has an oversized shed versus a true barn, a larger tractor might not fit inside for storage or to drive up and down the aisle.
You might also find it's too difficult to turn around corner and fit between the shed and the fence when you buy a large, full-size farm tractor. Remember that larger tractors are meant for larger farms, so choose the minimum horsepower you need for the jobs at hand, but consider actually measuring your shed and pathways on your homestead before buying.
2. Hydraulics and three-point hitch
Look for a tractor with a three-point hitch at the back for hauling and for raising and lowering buckets. This hitch is much better than a standard arm hitch, as the three points will disperse the weight of the load so your tractor is less likely to get weighed down.
Along with the three-point hitch, consider a set of hydraulics to raise and lower the hitch so that you can more readily manage bales of hay and buckets or anything else heavy. Hydraulics use pressurized air to lift and lower the loads on the hitch, keeping you from having to do this manually. While hydraulics may not lift the heaviest loads, such as oversized buckets of feed, these aren't usually needed on a small farm. Since they don't use electric parts for this job, the lift is less likely to get worn out and need replacing over time. This makes them a good choice for your smaller homestead.
Keep these tips in mind as you visit dealers for events like a Massey Ferguson tractors sale.
Share31 August 2015
Welcome to my blog. My name is Jenny, and I love to read. Recently, I came across the idea of a man who was running a machinery-free farm. He wasn't from a group that believed in those ideas, but rather, he was a regular person who decided he wanted to farm in completely sustainable ways that didn't waste energy or resources. I am a teacher, and I wanted to research this idea further so I could share it with my students. I read all about using antique farm equipment, and I interviewed several of my relatives about their memories on the farm. Ultimately, a blend of antique and modern equipment seems like the best idea. If you want to explore this concept with me, please read my posts. They are designed to enlighten and interest you.
