Consider These 5 Things Before Buying a Compact Tractor

You might be wondering what you should do before investing in your first compact tractor. There are numerous choices to be made, which can be overwhelming! The thing is, not all tractors are created the same. Some have more horsepower than others, some cost more than others, and some simply will not do the job on your property.

5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Compact Tractor

Let's look at 5 general points that will help you narrow down which type of tractor is right for you, so you can then focus on those individual tractors in detail later.

1. Horse Power

In general, more horsepower is better and safer, as is a larger wheelbase, depending on your application requirements. For tractors with a horsepower rating of 46, it didn't take long for a farmer to exhaust their front-end loaders’ lifting capacity, such as lifting a large cultipacker. Second, it's not fun to be lifting things with your front-end loader while your rear tires lift off the ground. When compared to 52 or 66 horsepower, 46 horsepower has more limitations.

2. Terrain, size, & landscape

When it comes to choosing a small tractor, understanding the size of the land you will be working on and the terrain it sits on is crucial. For example, if you plan to work on flat ground with few trees and few to no hills, a tractor with 22.40 horsepower may be adequate. However, for those who work in more difficult terrain with numerous obstacles such as rocks or large tree roots that can become stuck under the tires of your compact tractor, it is best to invest in one of John Deere's models with 30-50 horsepower.

3. Compact tractor attachments & implements

A small tractor can obtain a variety of different attachments via the hydraulic system and has various implements that make any task easier. Attachments for small tractors include front-end loaders, box blades, backhoes, pallet forks, and mowers, to name a few.

4. Spend a lot of time early on learning how to use your PTO safely,

particularly when attaching and detaching your bush hog. There are devices you can buy (one for each implement) to help with this, as well as all the shenanigans involved in attaching to your three-point harness. Dealing with these issues has been the source of the majority of my frustration with the tractor, especially in cold weather.

5. Knowing the tractor tire types

As a first-time buyer, you should pay close attention to the tread types that are appropriate for your work.

Smooth terrain

You'll want a tractor with deeper grooves and more lugs to help with traction on slick surfaces. This applies to smaller tractors that are only used infrequently during light workdays.

The most important aspect of hill climbing is having traction (grip) at the bottom of the wheel to keep you from sliding backward. For this type of terrain, you'll need a tractor with deep grooves and more lugs, which is where smooth treads come in handy because they provide better traction on hills than rough treads.

Hilly Terrain

Flat Terrain

If you're mostly working on level ground, tires with smaller grooves and fewer lugs will help you save money by reducing friction wear, and tear.