Improving Traction

It’s impressive how much power and versatility can be packed into relatively small tractors. Subcompact utility tractors and garden tractors often boast engine horsepower in the 20 to 25 range.

- J. Keeler Johnson

They can be used with a wide range of attachments and implements to expand their capabilities. But there’s an important (and occasionally overlooked) step in maximizing the performance of small tractors. You must make sure your tractor has enough traction to put that power to use.

Let me give you a couple of examples. On a recent day of baling hay, my small team encountered a setback when one of our hay wagons suffered a break in the steering mechanism. Running short of time with evening rain in the forecast, I fired up my garden tractor and used my trusty red wagon to start fetching bales off the field.

The red wagon isn’t huge — with a bed measuring 4 by 8 feet — but I was able to pack 19 bales at a time into sturdy loads. Throw in the weight of the wagon, and I was probably asking the garden tractor to tow somewhere around 750 pounds.

That’s a big load for a little tractor. But my garden tractor rose to the challenge practically without straining.