Buying the Right Tractor for Your Homestead

Homesteading or buying land and starting a small farm on is becoming more popular, but if you are going to have more than a couple of acres of land, you may need a tractor or other equipment. Small tractors that offer the versatility you need are available via agricultural equipment dealerships, and the dealer can help you select the attachments for it as well.

1. Tractor Size

Most tractors are rated by the horsepower they produce, and you might be surprised that you can do a lot with relatively low horsepower tractors. The transmission and the gearing of the tractor give it the power to pull implements and do the jobs you need. 

Many large commercial farms have tractors rated in the three to four hundred horsepower range, but they are pulling huge tools and working hundreds of acres. You most likely will not need a large tractor, but if you sit down with some agricultural equipment dealers in your area to learn more about which options are a good fit for your homestead or farm. 

It is important to remember that larger tractors burn more diesel and cost a lot more money, so save where you can. For example, if you are working a few acres of land, you might only need a one hundred horsepower tractor to get the work done. 

2. Implements and Tools

If you are buying a tractor from the local agricultural equipment dealership, you most likely need to have some implements or tools to go with it. It is crucial to identify the tools you need to work on your land. For example, a plow that can turn over the land and create fields where there are none might be a priority for you, but too large a plow will be hard to pull, so talk to the dealer and find out what size plow will be a good fit behind your machine.

You may also want to consider a tractor that has a front console for attracting a bucket so you can easily scoop things like soil, straw, or manure up and move it around the property. Go over all the things you want the tractor to do with an agricultural equipment dealership and discuss your plans for the property so the dealer can find the perfect equipment for your situation. 

If your budget is a concern, the agricultural equipment dealership in your area may offer some used equipment that still has a lot of life in, and it will provide you with more options for the money you can afford to spend.

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