Selecting the Right Compact Tractor for a Small Farm: Engines, Transmission, and Brakes

Smaller versions of large agricultural tractors are often a great choice for the needs of a small farm. Large tractors are too big, costly and powerful; small farmers want a tractor that can pull a wagon, till a few acres, mow the lawn and generally make their life easier.

A compact tractor is generally about 15-30 horsepower and about the size of a small car. Manufacturers such as John Deere, Kubota and New Holland all have an excellent selection of small tractors and accessories. Hardware stores sell "lawn tractors" in this size, but they are not built for serious farm work.

Selecting the Right Tractor for a Farm

The most important point to consider in purchasing a tractor is the planned use of the machine. The tractor must meet present and future needs. Accessory options must be compatible with the tractor purchased. Certain attachments, such as some lawnmower decks, can be tractor-specific.

Here ia  picture detailing the parts of a tractor to consider.

Tractors come in 2wd (two-wheel drive) or 4wd (four-wheel drive). Four-wheel drive tractors are more expensive but well worth the additional cost in traction gain. The farm has many situations where a 2wd tractor gets bogged down. Certain hilly terrain will also require the additional traction to be navigated safely.

The next important trait is the size and type of engine. Many older tractors have gasoline engines. The best engine for your application is usually a small liquid-cooled diesel engine. Although these engines are more expensive than gasoline, their durability and low maintenance make them the better choice in the end. Diesel engines also provide more horsepower and torque at low speed that give the farmer more efficient horsepower use.

Tractor Transmission Gearing and Types: Manual and Hydrostatic 

A multi-speed transmission is important for transferring the tractor's power to the wheels. Many older tractors have only 3- or 4-speed transmissions. The drawback of these transmissions is that the farmer does not have a wide choice of speeds to operate the tractor in. Gearing allows tractor operation effectively at a slow speed of from 1 or 2 mph to a much faster speed of 10+ mph.

The alternative to a manual transmission is a hydrostatic transmission. This transmission allows the operator to control the forward and backward movement of the tractor with a hand or foot control. It is useful in situations where the operator would need to shift between forward and reverse often. The downside of the transmission is that it is not well-suited for jobs requiring little shifting such as tillage. A hydrostatic transmission also robs the tractor of about 20% of its useable horsepower and does not tolerate hard use like a manual transmission.

Go To Page: 1 2