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Decision Guide for First-time (or Smarter) Tractor Buying
– for Farmers Growing Food for Market on Small to Medium-sized Farms
Start by asking WHY you need a tractor.
A tractor will require time and money so use a tractor only if it is essential to the farm
operation in terms of labor and profitability. Saved labor can result in production
efficiency, more time to allocate elsewhere, and improved or protected physical wellbeing. Saved time can help you avoid crop loss and harvest delay, and enable you to be
more productive with limited time.
Help yourself buy a tractor that will meet your needs by imagining what you will actually
do with your tractor.
Cut – Dig – Rake – Bale – Till – Pull – Move – Mow – Throw Plow – Dig – Shred – Haul – Lift – Disc – Drag – Shape Beds Plant – Give Hay Rides – or?
Develop a job list of physically demanding or time consuming chores that you want a
tractor to perform. Better yet, make two lists: (1) jobs I will definitely do with a tractor
and (2) jobs I might do with a tractor. Add a note about how frequently you expect to
perform each job per year. To help you think about this, look ahead in this Guide to the
section Farm implements you want your tractor to power.
Specify on how many acres you will actually use a tractor, both now but also possibly in
the future.
Example: You have a 50-acre farm, with 3 acres in production, and another
3 acres you may put in production. You also work in your woods and would
use the tractor for most jobs. This adds 5 acres. So, at most, you will use a
tractor on 11 of your 50 acres.
Estimate a field (or farm) efficiency measurement for a tractor. What percent of time that
you spend doing work in your field or on your farm do you imagine actually performing
work that requires a tractor? Does this amount of time seem worth the investment you
are considering?
Example 1: You work alone and are in your field 40 hours a week for 5 months,
or a total of 860 hours. Reviewing the job list you developed, you imagine you
will use a tractor almost 260 hours, or 30 percent of the time. Example 2: Two
people each work in your field 20 hours a week for 5 months, and also you work
alone on other projects around the farm about 10 hours a week for 7 months,
for a total of 1,161 hours. After reviewing the job list and confirming that both of
you will use the tractor, you imagine the tractor will be used about 700 hours, or
60 percent of the time.
Lessons Learned, Central Ohio Food Farmer, Mary Bridgman, Bridgman Farm:
I wasted thousands of dollars twice buying equipment that was too small for what I was doing. I was so
intimidated by the cost of tractors that I tried to scrimp and, in the end, it cost me more.
Gain or Review Your Basic Knowledge of Field Tractors.
Transmission Type Options
There are many transmission types and combinations, and newer ones are
introduced regularly. Three key concepts are presented.
Standard Transmission
(or Manual or “stick shift”)
Step on clutch and shift
gears
Least expensive
Hydraulic Automatic
Transmission
Uses a fluid coupling
(torque converter) that
takes the place of a
mechanical clutch,
allowing the transmission
to stay in gear and the
engine to remain running
while the vehicle is
stationary, without
stalling. One type of two
clutches is used for
routine upshifts/
downshifts.
Predominant form of
automatic transmission,
typical on larger tractors
but can be an option on
compact models
Hydrostatic Transmission
(Hydro) – a type of
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)*
Simply move a hand lever
or push a foot pedal; no
need to use a clutch to
shift gears, better fuel
economy by enabling the
engine to run at its most
efficient RPMs for a range
of speeds
Greater cost; low
maintenance but possibly
higher maintenance costs
due to complex hydraulic
drive system
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Standard Transmission
(or Manual or “stick shift”)
Good choice if most work
is operating a shredder or
pulling a plow
Hydraulic Automatic
Transmission
Requires automatic
transmission fluid (ATF)
primarily made from
refined petroleum that
needs routine service as
vehicle ages
May have High & Low
ranges providing up to 8
forward speeds
Hydrostatic Transmission
(Hydro) – a type of
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)*
Less likely to become
stuck, as operator can
continue to move forward
or backward when
adjusting to traction
conditions
Holds up well over life of a
tractor
* CVT is an automatic transmission that is fundamentally different from the hydraulic automatic
transmission
Tractor Engine Options
Most tractor engines are powered by one of two types of fuel.
Gasoline Engines
Readily available to the engine so the
tractor may start better in cold weather
and have greater responsiveness
More trouble mechanically, moisture and
long periods of idleness cause carburetor
problems and can lead to starting
difficulties
Diesel Engines
More powerful, more work per gallon;
less affected by wetness and idleness;
less volatile than gasoline so safer to
store and to drive into buildings
Can have starting problems during
freezing conditions so may need to use
an engine warmer; if engine runs out of
fuel, air has to be pumped out of the
system before fuel injectors will work
(requires a service call)
One of the advantages of a tractor over a team of horses or other animals is that
an engine can transmit power to an implement, which it does through the PTO.
However, horse-drawn implements and opportunity to use draft horses is an
option.
Tractor engines that use alternative fuels are in design and entering the market. A
hydrogen fuel cell tractor that runs on hydrogen created by use of wind, solar or
biomass (from plants such as corn and sugar cane) was showcased by New
Holland Agriculture in 2011. Converting to natural gas, electric, and batteryoperated engines is also occurring.
Compiled by Women Farm, for reference use only (www.womenfarm.com), 3/6/2013
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Wheel Drive Options
Two-Wheel (2WD)
Used in dry or upland not
wet, hilly and muddy
conditions
Smaller turning circle,
simple design, fewer
mechanical parts, lower
purchase price
5 – 200 HP
Front Wheel Assist (FWA)
Commonly known as 4WD or
Unequal 4-wheel Drive
Most popular 4WD; front
drive tires smaller than
rear tires
Delivers more power to
the ground for same fuel
consumption, has much
better traction than samesize 2-wheel tractors
5 – 240 HP
Equal Four-Wheel (4WD)
Challenging to maneuver;
all tires of equal size
Greater power to weight
ratio, expanse may make
it impractical
35 – 600 HP
Excerpt from What Size Farm Tractor Do I Need? University of Georgia
Wisdom Shared, Central Ohio Food Farmer, Val Jorgensen, Jorgensen Farms: I would not buy a
tractor without 4 wheel drive. You only use it when you need it but when you need it, you need it!
Horsepower (hp)
Horsepower is the common method for communicating tractor size. Basically,
horsepower measures the tractor’s ability to move a load.
By definition one horsepower is the amount of energy required to move 33,000
pounds a distance of one foot in a time span of one minute.
Tractor salespersons may describe a tractor by an older method of drawbar (or
draft) horsepower, or they may use the newer and more common method of PTO
horsepower. On average for most tractors, the drawbar horsepower is 85 percent
of the maximum PTO horsepower. Be sure you know which type of horsepower the
salesperson is talking about.
Brake horsepower is yet another term that may be used, especially when talking
about stationary engines. This is the maximum power the engine can delivery
without alterations.
Because you want to match the tractor to the jobs it will be performing, many
variables should be considered and discussed as you define your horsepower
requirement. Soil type and conditions, topography, the width of implements that
will be pulled, time allotted for a job, life or bucket capacity, the size on width or
amount and condition of material input an implement is expected to process, need
for simultaneous operations, and integral tractor equipment such as hydraulic
systems and air conditioning.
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Higher working speeds require more horsepower. You may want to define your
preferred performance rate (acres per hour) when defining your horsepower
requirement.
Wisdom Shared, Central Ohio Food Farmer, Val Jorgensen, Jorgensen Farms: My 85 hp Kubota has a
front end loader for lifting pallets, round bales of hay, and a bucket for turning compost and performing other
farm tasks. I also use it for all tillage work (plow, disc, drag). My 35 hp Kubota is used for mowing, bed
shaping, giving hay rides, and planting. My tillage requires the most horsepower and finishing work and
planting less horsepower.
Tractor weight, which is often used as a selling point, has little bearing on a
tractor’s capacity to perform work.
Beware of the fact that lift capacity of a loader or 3-point hitch can be measured in
several ways: lift capacity to full height, static lift capacity, pivot pin capacity,
bucket center capacity, lift arm capacity, 24 inches aft of lift arm capacity. Be clear
what measure is being discussed. Also, a front loader that can lift a lot of weight
may have a very slow cycle time. Lift capacity may be a useless measure when
comparing tractors. It may be more important to buy a loader that is produced by
the same manufacturer as the tractor that is performance matched to the
particular model of the tractor you buy.
Tractor Hitch Options
Farm implements that you will attach to your tractor require a hitch, and farmers
use a three-point hitch more frequently than any other variety and accepted as
the industry standard by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. A 3-point
hitch provides a quick hook up to a variety of implements regardless of
manufacturer. This type of hitch has two lower arms that run on hydraulic
cylinders and can raise and lower the hitch, and one fixed arm which provides a
rigid connection. It can connect to the front and back end of tractors. There are
four categories of 3-point hitches most relevant to you, amazingly labeled one
way, but more commonly referred to another way as noted in parenthesis!
Category 0
(cat. 1)
For tractors
up to 20 hp
Category 1
(cat. 2)
For tractors
20 – 45 hp
Category 2
(cat.3)
For tractors
55 – 95 hp
Category 3
(cat.4)
For tractors
above 95 hp
A drawbar hitch is often used for simple pulling, such as a disk or wagon. One
portion of a U-shaped arm fits over top and another portion fits underneath a plate
on the back of an implement and a sturdy pin goes vertically through holes in all
layers. Drawbars are not affected by the Category of a 3-point hitch.
Compiled by Women Farm, for reference use only (www.womenfarm.com), 3/6/2013
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Power Take-Off (PTO) Systems
The Power Take-Off is a mechanical feature, a drive shaft, that takes some of the
power that the tractor’s engine creates and uses it to run implements and tools
that you attach to the tractor. The PTO holds, lifts, and lowers the implements,
typically connecting implements drawn behind the tractor. With special
installations the PTO can connect belly- or mid-mounted or also front-mounted
equipment.
The PTO is a very dangerous feature on a tractor, spinning on most tractors at 540
RPMs (revolutions per minute) and capable of wrapping clothing around it nine
times in just a second. See Safety Features and Tractor Buying, a following section
in this Guide.
Transmission Driven
PTO
Driven directly off
a gear in the
transmission; PTO
is either fully off or
fully on; clutch
must be completely
depressed to bring
all rotation of the
transmission to a
stop before
engaging the PTO
on position
Simple design; low
cost and less
maintenance
Unable to fully
control tractor
direction and
speeds without
disrupting
implement power
Live PTO
Best known as a
dual clutch
arrangement, one
of which
engages/disengages
the tractor’s
transmission and
one that engages/
disengages the
PTO; if tractor has a
hydrostatic
transmission,
tractor speed and
direction can vary
while PTO output
remains constant
Relatively simple
design; operator
friendly
More expensive to
repair; more leg
muscle required
Mechanical
Independent PTO
Hydraulic
Independent PTO
Like a dual clutch
live PTO except has
two PTO controls –
hand lever to
control the
engage/release of
the PTO clutch and
another level that
couples/uncouples
the PTO shaft in
the drive train
Move only a single
lever or push a
button to
start/stop the PTO
shaft. Can select
on and off
independent of
tractor travel and
speed
Can engage the
PTO clutch slowly,
more controlled
manner, while the
tractor is on the go
Have to use two
control levers
Most user friendly;
maximum flexibility
in determining on
and off of PTO
Most expensive
and complex;
higher cost; higher
maintenance
Older tractors may have a pulley on the side to operate a belt to a stationary
machine, such as a feed grinder.
Compiled by Women Farm, for reference use only (www.womenfarm.com), 3/6/2013
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Farm Implements You Want Your Tractor to Power
It is important to identify what type of farm implements you expect to use in
conjunction with a tractor, before you buy the tractor. The tractor that will best
power the implements you plan to use helps define requirements for the size,
power, source, and capacity of your tractor.
Review the following list of select implements that may be used by a small- to
medium-sized farm that grows food for regional markets.
Select List of Implements
Backhoe
Bed shaper
Chain harrow (drag)
Chisel plow
Disk harrow
Field cultivator
Front-end loader
Grain drill
Hammer knife mower
Manure spreader
Moldboard plow
Mower-conditioner (haybine)
Post-driver
Posthole digger (auger)
Rake
Rotary mower
Row crop cultivator
Row crop planter
Scraper blade
Sickle bar mower
Utility trailer
Wagon
√ = Plan
to use
It is important to right-size your tractor, which allows you to get the work
completed on time at the lowest possible cost. A tractor that is too small for your
operation can result in long hours in the field, excessive delays, and premature
replacement. A tractor that is too large for your operation can result in excessive
operating and overhead costs. A small vegetable farm may need a tractor with as
little as 25 – 30 hp and a grain farm may need 100 hp.
Compiled by Women Farm, for reference use only (www.womenfarm.com), 3/6/2013
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Lessons Learned, Central Ohio Small Grains Food Farmer, Maryann Burr, Burr Farm: Initially I bought
85 hp and then needed implements that required more umph. I kept incrementally buying bigger and stronger
and still could benefit from more hp. I am quite fond of my used John Deere 4955 with 190 hp!
Tractor Safety Features
Agriculture is the most hazardous industry in the United States. The tractor is the
most-used machine on most farms and tractors are involved in more fatal injuries
than any other agent of injury. The leading cause of death on the farm is the
tractor rollover, or overturn. Farmers are at very high risk for fatal and nonfatal
injuries.
When purchasing a tractor consider several important safety features.
A tractor model commonly known as “tricycle” model, typical
on older tractors, have two front wheels that are close together.
This model tips more easily and is harder to steer on rough
ground.
All tractors should be equipped with a Roll Over Protective
Structure (ROPS). ROPS is designed to guard the operator
from being crushed in the event of a turnover and is safety
tested and labels by OSHA standards. It is only effective when
using a seatbelt. Not all tractor cabs are ROPS cabs. ROPS
are 99 percent effective in preventing rollover deaths and
serious injuries. Most newer tractors come equipped with a
factory installed ROPS. Older tractors may not have one or
have an improper ROPS. To be effective ROPS need to be
properly designed, manufactured, and installed. Talk to your
manufacturer or local farm equipment dealer about the availability
of ROPS retrofit kits. If they are available, the tractor should be
retrofitted. Kentucky publishes a ROPS Guide organized by tractor
make and model at http://warehouse.ca.uky.edu/rops/indexoriginal.asp.
If kits are not available, the tractor should not be operated.
For more information see http://ohioline.osu.edu/aexfact/192/pdf/0192_1_56.pdf
If you buy a tractor, when operating and maintaining it avoid the types of
negligence that result in the majority of machinery-related accidents: taking
shortcuts to save time; failure to read operator’s manual; ignoring warning
signals; improper or lack of instruction or training; failure to follow safety rules;
and improper or lack of maintenance.
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Review Available Tractor Brands and Models.
Once you have defined your needs and preferences for a tractor you may want to
get more familiar with actual tractors before you start shopping.
Familiarize yourself with manufacturers and tractor models. Attend farm trade
shows or fairs with equipment displays. Visit neighboring farms or go on farm
tours. Specifically ask about the tractors and the praise and complaints the farmer
has of the tractor. Also get recommendations from experienced farmers on tractor
dealerships. Review websites such as those listed below.
Eleven web sites to use to become more familiar with manufacturers (brands) and
tractor models, listed in alphabetical order.
www.auctionbill.com
www.auctionzip.com
www.equpmenttraderonline.com
www.farmanddairy.com
www.farmworldonline.com
www.fastline.com
www.higginsauctions.com
www.jdequipment.com
www.midwestauction.com
www.tractorhouse.com
www.trigreeneq.com
www.usfarmer.com
To Buy or Not to Buy?
The cost to your farm operation is not just the purchase price. It may include
financing the purchase (interest). It will definitely include regular maintenance;
occasional repairs (per acre; annually every spring and fall; or every 100 hours);
and housing and insurance.
You may think that some cost will be offset by tax benefits such as an IRS
depreciation deduction or a state sales tax exemption. Both the federal and state
government has strict regulations that should be reviewed to challenge or confirm
your assumptions. Such information may affect if or when you buy a tractor.
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While newer tractors cost more they likely will have lower repair costs. Generally,
the higher the price of a new tractor the higher the repair costs.
Lessons Learned, Central Ohio Food Farmer, Mary Bridgman, Bridgman Farm: Twelve years ago I
purchased a 3-year old John Deere for $22,000. Just one year ago I had my first repair issue – a new starter.
It has done everything I’ve asked of it and more.
When considering a used tractor, know that the age of a tractor is measured in
hours of use, not years. Every tractor should have a functioning engine hour
meter. The life of some tractors could be 8,000 hours. Find out from the
manufacturer what the expected life is for any model you are considering. Also,
beware of painted used tractors as paint can be used to hide many different
problems. Farm Industry News published a tractor inspector’s suggestions in “9
tips for buying used” which you can review at http://farmindustrynews.com/9tips-buying-used. Photos can help you understand what to look for, offered on an
Australian advice web site for small farmers, http://farmstyle.com.au/news/whatlook-when-buying-used-tractor.
Whether buying new or used, if you think you may sell the tractor in the future, a
name brand will likely have higher resale value.
Advice Offered, Central Ohio Small Grains Food Farmer, Maryann Burr, Burr Farms:
Drive several tractors before you buy! Try turning in tight spaces. Use reverse. Each brand makes turns and
steers differently. If the tractor is used, you will get a feel for how the owner treated the tractor.
In addition to using the web sites listed earlier to gain information about the cost
of tractors, you can also check out tractor values using official guides, such as:
www.tractorbluebook.com
www.ironguides.com/digitalAppraiser.aspx
Most typically, you would purchase a tractor from a farm equipment dealer or from
individuals. Both dealers and individuals might sell through live and on-line
auctions, and run classified advertisements in local or regional newspapers,
farming publications, or on the web. No matter which source, be sure to consider
the distance between you and the current location and to understand, if needed,
what trucking firm is willing to custom haul at a reasonable rate.
Look for Ohio farming equipment dealers, both new and used equipment dealers
at:
http://www.ohioagriculture4u.com/ohio_farming_equipment_dealers.htm
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There are some advantages of working with an established farm equipment dealer,
especially if you are new to tractors. A dealership may provide service trucks that
travel to your farm for routine maintenance and/or they may offer a service center
and be willing to pick up and deliver your tractor for a fee. Dealers may offer
tractor training in machine operations and safety. If buying a new tractor, the
dealer will offer a solid warranty and maintenance contract. If buying a refurbished
tractor, the dealer may offer a limited warranty and perhaps a limited service
contract.
Do you really need to purchase a tractor? If the work you expect a tractor to
perform is done infrequently (1 day or week) or periodically (1 season), you may
be better off financially by not buying a tractor.
Rent or lease a tractor from a local dealer, after checking on their policies
and being assured they stand by their equipment’s proper operation and that
they will address breakdowns in a timely manner. Costs may be by the hour
or day and you will have no maintenance or repair costs.
Hire a local farmer or commercial operator and benefit from the use of their
skills and equipment. Costs may be by the hour or day or job and you will
have no maintenance or repair costs.
Exchange with a neighboring farmer. Use their equipment for something you
offer (services or other equipment) of equal value to them.
Form a cooperative with neighboring farmers, through which you share
ownership of the equipment that all use and benefit from. Be sure to have
signed, written agreements about how costs and usage will be shared:
purchase costs, repairs and maintenance.
Work done on small acreage or a parcel could be performed by your own
powerful walking behind a rototiller that has multiple attachments.
Women Farm will periodically update and revise this Guide, and welcomes input from women farmers, farm
educators, farm equipment dealers, and other interested parties who seek to expand and improve the quality
of information and decision making tools available to current and aspiring food farmers.
Compiled by Women Farm, for reference use only (www.womenfarm.com), 3/6/2013
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Primary Sources of Reviewed Content
American Small Farm, Farm Machinery & Equipment Safety, Marjorie R.
Margentino and Karyn Laminowski, February 2007.
American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Terminology and Definitions for
Agricultural Tillage Implements,
ftp://ftpfc.sc.egov.usda.gov/MT/www/technical/agronomy/TerminologyandDefiniti
onsforAgriculturalTillageImplementsMarch2009.pdf
Ewald-Kubota, Tractor Buying Facts,
http://www.ewaldtractor.com/wiki/EWI/TractorBuyingFacts
Johnson City Kubota, Power Take Off School,
http://www.johnsoncitykubota.com/Power%20Take%20Off%20Types.htm
Ohio State University, Machinery Costs Computer Program
http://aede.osu.edu/sites/drupal-aede.web/files/MachCosts.pdf
OK Tractor, 3-point hitch specifications and definitions,
http://www.oktractor.com/3point.htm
Rodale Institute, Your First Tractor, Part I and II
http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/columns/gd_tractor/2005/0421/index.shtml
http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/columns/gd_tractor/2005/0602/index.shtml
EQUUS, Tractor Talk: A Rookie’s Guide to Buying a Tractor, Joanne Meszoly
http://www.discoverhorses.com/all-about-horses/tractor-talk-a-rookies-guide-tobuying-a-tractor/
University of Georgia, What Size Farm Tractor Do I Need?
http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/bae/extension/pubs/documents/farm%20t
ractor.pdf
Wikipedia, Automatic transmission,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_transmission and
and Continuously variable transmission
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission
wiseGeek, What Is a Hyrdostatic Tractor? http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-ahydrostatic-tractor.htm and Should I Buy a New or Used Tractor?
http://www.wisegeek.com/should-i-buy-a-new-tractor-or-a-used-one.htm
Compiled by Women Farm, for reference use only (www.womenfarm.com), 3/6/2013
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