How To Choose The Right Tractor

Feb. 5 2020 Miscellaneous By ___

Few machines are as sturdy and dependable as tractors. Built to get the job done efficiently and accurately, these pieces of farm equipment are the staple of agricultural work. These machines are designed to work for you for years, if not decades. There are many different types of tractors on the market, and it can be pretty hard to select the right one if you don’t know much about them.

At Holzhauer Pro Motorsports, we love to help our clients make the wisest purchases, so we’ve compiled this short guide about selecting the right tractor for you. 

To check out some amazing tractors for sale in Nashville, IL, visit our dealership and we’ll give you a tour of what we have in stock. We’re also the go-to Mahindra dealer for the areas of St. Louis, MO and Carbondale, IL.

Your Property

The biggest and most powerful tractor won’t be able to accomplish much if it doesn’t suit the size and terrain of your land. Different farm machines were designed for different types of terrain. If you have a lot of trees and other obstacles, a big tractor will have a harder time maneuvering around them, making your work stretch for longer hours. 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 and research to decide how each tractor could perform on your land, so simply put some thought into it before going to look at tractors for sale.

Think Implements

Add some attachments and implements for the tractor to loan power to and you’ll be able to accomplish many more tasks around your land. Have a huge field to keep mowed? Hook up a pull-behind mower and tear through the brush. Got crops? You’ll want something big that can pull heavy implements like spreaders and rotary tillers. There’s a whole lot you can accomplish if you keep implements in mind when looking at tractors for sale. Just make sure they’re compatible with your tractor. 

To figure out if your tractor will work with an attachment, you have to look at the various components. The power take-off, or PTO, is a drive shaft that powers other equipment. Another common method is a series of hydraulic pumps, which transfer energy back into the implement. If neither of these are present, there should be a drawbar that allows the tractor to tow. Without any 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.

Specs to Consider

Some people are tempted to use simple metrics (like a machine’s pure horsepower) when looking at tractors for sale. This isn’t the right way to go about it. Instead, pay attention to equipment that can better apply power to the parts of the job most beneficial to you. A more powerful PTO will be more useful than just a big engine alone. The same goes for hydraulic systems and drawbar ratings. Considering strength vs. utility is important for finding the right tractor for your needs.

The Right Brand

There are so many tractor manufacturers, but not all will be the right fit for you. You may already have a brand in mind even before you hit a dealership to look at tractors for sale. However, keep in mind that you need a machine that can deliver what you need—dependability, performance, and cost of maintenance. That said, a trustworthy manufacturer will make machines that are less likely to get damaged and can save you a lot of money down the road. So these machines will be worth the slightly higher sticker price. 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.

Across the board, tractors are usually versatile and powerful workhorses. You can add to this by getting the right one for your needs. We know that’s a lot to think about when you’re new to these machines, so visit our dealership to check out some quality tractors for sale in Nashville, IL. As your local Mahindra dealer, we have a wide range of rugged and durable machines for you to choose from. We also serve the areas of St. Louis, MO, and Carbondale, IL, so stop by today!