WORKING DRAFT (7.41)
The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Heavier tractor weight is more important for most tractor applications than increased tractor horsepower. Bare tractor weight is a tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to define potential tractor applications first, then determine bare tractor weight necessary to
safely accomplish your tasks.
Within subcompact and compact tractor categories, a significant tractor capability increase requires a bare tractor weight increase of 50%. It takes a 100% increase in bare tractor weight to elicit MY-OH-MY!
Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range. I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise. I have a column for cost per pound.
Most tractors under 3,000 pounds bare weight operate in residential or hobby farm applications on one to ten flat acres.
Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is generally greater than depreciation on a tractor.
Tractors over 3,000 pounds bare weight are generally offered in a economy configuration and a deluxe configuration. Deluxe kit enhances productivity and operator comfort ~~~ but you must pay.
Heavier tractors are constructed are built using thicker steel to withstand higher stress. Heavier tractors have larger wheels/tires. A heavier tractor with large diameter wheels/tires has more traction pulling ground contact implements, pushing a loader bucket into dirt and pushing snow. Large wheels and tires enable a heavier tractor to bridge holes, ruts and tree debris with less implement and operator disturbance.
Four wheel drive is essential on hillsides. Four wheel drive supplies increased traction and braking. When descending slopes 4-WD augments rear brakes as tractor weight shifts forward, decreasing rear tire grip.
Compact tractors optimized for hill work have liquid installed in the rear tires rather than air. "Loaded" tires are filled 50% with liquid, which lowers the tractor's center-of-gravity, increasing rollover resistance. "Loading" two compact tractor rear tires will increase tractor weight 300 pounds to 800 pounds over weight of identical rear tires inflated with air.
A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractor are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.
BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR.
