15 Reasons You Need a Tractor

FROM PLANTING TO HARVESTING, A TRACTOR TURNS PLAIN ACREAGE INTO A WORKING FARM.

- BY DAVE BOYT

Tractors will never replace a good team of horses!" With those words, my grandfather sealed the fate of the Boyt Saddle and Harness Co. of Des Moines, Iowa. In the mid-1950s, when many farmers made the switch, the idea of a hobby farm would have been considered outlandish: Farming was hard work and required a tough, pragmatic approach.

Even though today's hobby farming might be a part-time or recreational activity, selecting equipment requires the same practical decisions. Here are a few things to consider when buying a tractor: Think about the tasks it will perform. Bigger is not always better, and a compact 20-horsepower garden tractor might well be more useful (and affordable) than a 140-horsepower behemoth. A front-end loader is almost a necessity for lifting and hauling. Depending on your situation, you might get by without four-wheel drive, but the added utility makes it a highly desirable feature. Without further ado, here are 15 of the best reasons to own a tractor.

1 | BRUSH HOGGING

Mowing heavy brush or just keeping the weeds down is one of the most common jobs for a tractor. A medium-duty, 5- to 6-feet-wide brush hog is fine for most pasture and trail maintenance, but you might decide you need a "finish mower" to quickly trim the lawn around the house for a golf course manicure.

When selecting a mower attachment, be sure that it matches the horsepower of your tractor.

2 | LAND CLEARING

If clearing rocks, heavy brush, trees and other debris for crops or pasture is on your to-do list, a tractor provides the muscle for heavy lifting, pulling and hauling. A good winch lets you pull the load to you for easier removal. The selection of a 12-volt electric winch, gas-powered winch or power-takeoff (PTO) winch depends on your budget and how much pulling you need to do.