To help you make a good decision when purchasing a tractor here are some considerations and important questions you should ask yourself.

What size tractor do you really need?

A small tractor can do most everything a larger tractor can do. It just takes more time. Deciding on the size is a comparison of time versus costs. A large tractor is necessary when tasks must be performed within a limited time frame. For a property owner with a few acres to maintain, a smaller tractor may make more sense. The time that a job takes is probably less important than the expense of purchasing and maintaining a larger tractor.

What are the characteristics of the work area?

• Is tight maneuvering required?
• Heights of buildings that might limit a tractor's access
• Trees, utility lines, and obstacles that need to be worked around
• Terrain requirements, such as hills that require a low profile tractor with hydrostatic transmission and vineyard production that may benefit from a tall, narrow tractor

What will the tractor be used for?

With the addition of a few well-chosen implements, tractors can serve a multitude of jobs. List the main applications you want to accomplish with the tractor.

Two-Wheel Drive Versus Four-Wheel Drive

In general, a four-wheel drive tractor is more efficient then a two-wheel drive since the amount of slippage is greatly reduced in various situations. A four-wheel drive allows you to get more work done with a smaller tractor.

Know your dealer.

Since tractors have a functional life of 30 years or more, it is important to make sure that the dealer you buy your tractor from is going to provide you with quality service.