Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
When buying a new tractor, be sure you are comparing the same measure of
horsepower among models. The specifications are readily available in sales brochures.
TRACTOR SIZES
Tractors can be loosely grouped into four categories as dictated by size, weight, horsepower
(hp), and suitability for purpose: lawn and garden tractor, compact tractor, utility tractor,
and farm tractor.
Lawn and garden tractor
(up to 20 hp). A lawn and garden tractor is handy for driving
through barn alleyways and pens or for pulling a small manure or feed cart. It would be
unsuitable, however, for routine field work, arena work, or large-scale feeding or manure
handling. Lawn tractors can be an expensive option for horsemen—by the time you buy a
tractor, a cart, and other attachments, you might have reached the price range for a compact
tractor. You might end up with half the tractor for the same price. Therefore, consider pur-
chasing a lawn tractor for light-duty work if you are planning to buy two tractors.
Compact tractor
(approximately 20-50 hp). Also called a
midsize
or
acreage tractor,
this
is a convenient, easy-to-operate tractor. Because these are not very tall, they are pretty easy
to mount. The hitch is low to the ground, making attachment of implements convenient.
Generally, these are good tractors for teenagers to learn on.
(Note:
Some manufacturers di-
vide this category into subcompact [approximately 20-30 hp] and compact [approximately
31-50 hp].)
Tractors in this category are the equivalent of the 8N Ford, which was known as the es-
tate tractor when it was manufactured (1939-1952). As a rule of thumb, you can probably
find a fairly decent used tractor in this category in running order for approximately $2000.
Not many midsize tractors were manufactured from the late 1950s to the 1970s, so used
tractors in this size are either at least 50 years old or 25 years old or less. Since the late
1970s, most compact tractors are Japanese-made, many of them four-wheel drive. They go
for $10,000 new and for $5000 to $6000 used.
