How to Choose the Right Tractor for Your Farm
Not much beats out a tractor in terms of sheer ability to completing work around the farm. Between their rugged reliability, precise application of power, and long operational lifespan, tractors are the go-to solution to effective and accurate farm work. But with so many options out there, it can be difficult to narrow down what is necessary and what might be overkill.
At Tatum Motor Company, we aim to help our customers get the right equipment for them and their property. In that spirit we’ve put together this short guide to help with choosing the right tractor. Keep reading for more information or head into one of our locations in Anderson, Missouri and Tontitown, Arkansas.
Implements of All Kinds
A tractor can be a handsome piece of farm equipment, with tons of power under the hood just waiting to be applied to any number of farm tasks. But you won’t get much done without implements to direct that power into. Attachments and implements are your way of tailoring the generalist power of a tractor to the specific tasks of any given agricultural operation. Do you have a huge field that needs mowing? Hook up a pull-behind mower and tear through even overgrown brush. Have land that needs tilling? Well, hook up a tilling implement and make short work of the task. Spreaders, augers, dozer blades, loading buckets, and whatever else you might need is just an implement away!
Not every tractor can handle every implement. You’ll need to determine whether or not a prospective model can handle the kind of attachments you have in mind. Check out the power method the tractor utilizes, likely either PTO or hydraulic pumps. If neither of these are present, there should at least be a drawbar that allows the tractor to tow. Without one of these mechanisms present, you won’t be able to get any practical work done on your field, so always check that it’s equipped with what you need.
Terrain Matters
It doesn’t matter if you have the best tractor out there if it can’t handle the terrain present on your property. Different environments require different equipment, and a tractor that’s not suited for your farm could end up being rather useless. If you’ve got trees and other obstacles, a larger tractor might have difficulty maneuvering around them. Wide and open flat fields mean you can employ a faster tractor to save time. Overall, it just takes a little bit of common sense to decide how each tractor could perform on your land, so simply put some thought into it before making a decision.
The Specs That Matter
Perhaps you’ve seen a tractor model that boasted high horsepower or some other specification that made it seem like a good purchase, but some of these specifications aren’t what you should be paying attention to when choosing a tractor. Look at models that provide you with enough power and capability to use the attachments you’ll need, like PTO. This can be a more useful metric than engine size and power alone. Considering strength vs. utility is important for finding the right tractor for you.
A Manufacturer to Trust
You might have a favorite brand in mind, but keep in mind what you need from a tractor — dependability, performance, and cost of maintenance. Not every manufacturer is right, even if they’re the most well known out there. Good manufacturers’ tractors are less prone to damages, which saves you a lot of money down the road, even if the sticker price is a little higher. Similarly, if stronger farm equipment will result in greater yield, it’s worth it to spend a little more initially, because the payoff can more than make up for the investment.
Ensure you choose the right tractor by paying attention to what kind of implements it can power, the terrain it’s best suited for, and whether it comes from a manufacturer that knows what it’s doing. Hopefully this guide will make things easier. If you still have questions, or you’re just interested in checking out our stock of new and used tractors, head into Tatum Motor Company. We’re located in Anderson, Missouri and Tontitown, Arkansas, and we’re proud to serve Fayetteville, Springdale, and Bentonville. Come in today and talk with our team of courteous professionals who’ll answer your questions and show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction.