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What are the Different Types of Farm Tractors?

Sonal Panse
Sonal Panse

A farm tractor is a distinctive, multi-purpose farm vehicle. It is perhaps the most essential of all farm machinery. Farm tractors are used in tandem with a variety of farm equipment to carry out different agricultural tasks. These include plowing, shoveling, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting, hauling, pushing, lifting, transporting and providing power supply.

These vehicles first made their appearance in the nineteenth century. The earliest ones were steam-powered portable engine and traction engine vehicles. These were followed by oil-burning and then gasoline-powered tractors. Gasoline-powered, internal combustion engines became the norm after 1920.

Tractors are developed for different types of farming duties.
Tractors are developed for different types of farming duties.

Early farm tractors had fixed distance front wheels with a solid front axle. The Saunderson Tractor and Implement Co., a company based in Bedford in Massachusetts, manufactured a four-wheel tractor in 1908 that proved very popular. Another successful tractor manufacturing company, established in 1837 and still in operation, is John Deere, with their distinctive green and yellow tractors.

Tractor attachments are typically hitched on the back of the machine.
Tractor attachments are typically hitched on the back of the machine.

Next came the tricycle type tractors, with either a single front wheel or closely-placed double front wheels. The tractor manufacturer Farmall was famous for its bright red, tricycle design machines. These designs were in vogue from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Four-wheel tractors, however, were easier and safer to handle. They were less likely to keel over than the three wheeled ones. They also proved more suited to the requirements of mechanized farming.

A farmer may use a tractor to till a field.
A farmer may use a tractor to till a field.

Design-wise, a four-wheel tractor has two large driving wheels and two steerable wheels. The driving wheels are on an axle and the steerable wheels are below the engine compartment. The seat and the steering wheel are set in the center of the four wheels, usually inside an enclosed driving cab.

Modern tractors may have eight-wheel drive units, caterpillar tracks, or articulated and non-articulated tracks. They may have electrical or computer controls and are capable of a multitude of different functions. Many modern farm tractors are fitted with GPS devices, auto-steer systems and other automated features.

Different kinds of tractors have been developed for different farming requirements. These include row crop, wheat land, high crop and utility tractors. They come in different sizes, ranging from small to large.

Some tractors are developed specifically for farming wheat land.
Some tractors are developed specifically for farming wheat land.

The row crop and high crop tractors have adjustable treads that allow careful navigation through crop rows. These vehicles can make their way through rows of tomatoes, maize, wheat or other crops without damaging the plants. The high crop types have increased ground clearance and suited for farm work with vegetables or high growing crops.

The wheat land farm tractors are used for heavy field work on extensive tracts of farmland. The utility ones are usually smaller, general purpose vehicles. These can be used for non-farming activities like gardening, landscaping and excavation. Such utility tractors are fitted with turf tires that are softer than the regular agricultural tires.

Tractors and their attachments are some of the most essential pieces of farm machinery.
Tractors and their attachments are some of the most essential pieces of farm machinery.

Farm equipment and implements are usually attached or hitched to the back end of the tractor. The hitching system may be a draw bar, a two-point hitch or a three-point hitch. The three-point hitching system is the standard feature in most modern tractors.

Discussion Comments

OeKc05

I've seen backhoe tractors in action before, and it is impressive. They can dig up large amounts of dirt in just one scoop.

They have a large tray attached that serves as a big scoop. I watched a guy on a backhoe dig a grave for a cow by scooping the dirt right beside it out of the ground. He only had to scoop a few times to get a deep enough hole.

Then, he used it to push the cow right into the grave. Anything that can push that much weight has got to be super powerful.

It would have taken several men to dig such a grave with shovels. They would have had a tough time pushing that cow into it once they were through, too.

shell4life

@StarJo – I think that you can use any kind of tractor, as long as you have a brush hog attachment. This is the thing that can mow down small trees and thick bushes.

My neighbor uses this to periodically clear out his field. It's a big flat square with sharp blades underneath.

I try to stay indoors while he is using it, because I'm always afraid that some large chunk of wood is going to come flying at me. This thing can cut through stuff that a regular mower would choke on.

StarJo

What kind of tractor would I need for clearing out a field of tall weeds? I recently bought some land that used to be a cow pasture, but it is totally grown over with thick briars and weeds. I'd like to either rent or buy a used farm tractor, but I'm not sure which kind to get.

orangey03

I've seen some antique farm tractors that looked really basic. They were on display beside an antique store, and they were all rusted out.

I don't know if the original owners just didn't take care of them or if the antique store owners just didn't see fit to remove the rust. They do look like they are beyond repair.

They looked like skeletons compared to modern tractors. They got the job done, but nearly as efficiently as today's tractors.

anon142019

what is a general purpose tractor?

anon121191

i want to know the types of the tractor.

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    • Tractors are developed for different types of farming duties.
      By: Andrey Bandurenko
      Tractors are developed for different types of farming duties.
    • Tractor attachments are typically hitched on the back of the machine.
      By: branex
      Tractor attachments are typically hitched on the back of the machine.
    • A farmer may use a tractor to till a field.
      By: Valcho
      A farmer may use a tractor to till a field.
    • Some tractors are developed specifically for farming wheat land.
      By: womue
      Some tractors are developed specifically for farming wheat land.
    • Tractors and their attachments are some of the most essential pieces of farm machinery.
      By: ekina
      Tractors and their attachments are some of the most essential pieces of farm machinery.