Selecting The Right Tractor for your Operation

There are a lot of factors to consider when looking for the right machinery for the farm. Everybody will have different needs, so it would be impossible to list a set of rules to follow in machinery selection. A recent post on Agriculture Online machinery talk asked for suggestions on selecting the right tractor, which prompted this discussion for possibly helping someone with suggestions not yet considered. Since this is such a personal matter, these thoughts are offered with the hope they might provide at least one idea to help someone select the right tractor for their operation.

Is a demo machine available?

Demos are great for discovering the real feel of a machine. Sometimes they are hard to get, and not available for enough time to fully evaluate them. If a demo is not possible, would a lease for, oh, say three months be possible? It really gives you a feel for a machine when you can use it in real-field conditions and give it time to present problems that might bother you in the future. The problem with a demo is that you really need the tractor badly during prime field operating conditions, and if there are problems you don't want to waste time with a machine that doesn't suit you. Just a drive around the block often doesn't mean much; with so much money involved more time to evaluate could help prevent a poor choice.

Will dealer literature help?

Often, using literature as a guide, I was disappointed in equipment choices over time. When someone asked me how I liked a new machinery purchase, I learned to say, "Give me a few years, and I'll let you know". You really don't know from short-term experience what you have. Dealer literature can be of help, as many measurements and statistics are usually provided, which can be compared. There is also the enjoyment of seeing a tractor without any dirt or scratches working in a field, something a farmer seldom encounters in real life.

Talk to someone who owns the machine.

The machinery I really liked in the past was the one that just kept growing on me, like the Vermeer 605-F round baler I once owned. I liked it when I bought it, then kept finding more and more reasons to like it better as I used it. Often a discussion with a present owner of a machine you are considering will reveal what they have found good and bad about the equipment when under the pressure of using it hard in the field.

The problems with owner testimonials are only discovered by personally knowing the individual and their personal brand prejudice. Some are loathe to admit they might have made a mistake with a new purchase, and they will brag about the tool, even though they have found many faults they do not care to admit. If you have a friendly neighbor that is known to be color blind in their equipment choice, they usually will provide a little more useful information. There is also the possibility that someone might not admit problems, hoping to unload the machine they do not care for on someone else. I have encountered several farmers in the past that had nothing bad to say about a particular machine until they had successfully moved it on to someone else. Then, they actively complain about all the bad features of the offending tool.

Nebraska Tractor Test Information is the "gold standard" of tractor information

The purpose of the Nebraska tests is explained well in the mission statement below, copied from its Web site. This information is considered the standard for comparison for all tractors.

The State of Nebraska requires that any current tractor model sold in the state must have a performance test completed according to OECD Codes or ASAE/SAE Standards. Therefore, The Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory carries out the necessary performance tests to allow tractors to be sold in the State of Nebraska.The Law requires that the performance obtained under an official test shall meet or exceed the manufacturer's representations as to power, fuel, and any other ratings of the tractor model.The University of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory is the official designated tractor testing station for the United Sates to carry out OECD tests. The OECD rules require that a tractor be tested in the country of origin. The Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory conducts OECD tests for US manufacturers who export tractors to other OECD countries.

Nebraska tractor test results allow anyone to compare equipment to learn if it suits their particular application

Should you consider dealer support as a factor?

In many areas, purchasing a used or new tractor can be a better experience when you patronize a good dealer. Since some dealers are better than others, this support will be worth more or less, depending on the individual dealer. Often in my experience, a good dealer will suggest certain equipment or specifications based upon his experience and knowledge of an individual operation. Dealers that have earned respect in the community can often be worth many times the extra money one might pay for a tractor from another source. The dealer's shop is often a consideration in purchase, especially if you are a farmer needing more service from that area than one who does all mechanical work in his own shop.

Sometimes a reliable warranty can pay returns very quickly, especially on a used machine. It makes no difference what brand of tractor you buy, it will need parts and repair sometime; if it doesn't, you aren't using the tractor enough to justify having it. That dealer shop and parts inventory just might pay big dividends when in the heat of planting and harvest, when your time might be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars per hour in terms of planting or harvesting a crop in a timely manner. A local dealer is great, but in some areas it's not a possibility. In these times of quick, efficient transportation and good roads, distance is not as important as in the past, so you might consider a dealer farther away with better attitudes and service. If you have a good local dealer, treat him well, as it is a treasure few of us are able to find in these days of declining farmer population.

Is choice of brand important?

I did have some color preferences, but I soon learned price, dealer support, and resale value played a strong role in my machinery choices. Really, most of the tractors you can buy will do the job; it is all those other factors that play a part. Whether you buy used or new, look more for what works in your operation than what color the equipment may sport on the outside. Still, there are advantages of having one brand, such as many commonly shared parts and service items, and filters and fluids used in the tractor.

If there was one main consideration I would consider most important in machinery purchases, that one thing would be price,price,price,price,price,price. Do the math to decide if a disadvantage of cab comfort or common control features on a less-expensive tractor is important to you. Even with that said, operator comfort is sometimes worth a lot after the sixteenth hour in the field.

And, having a line of machinery that is popular to others in your area and comfortable to operate may just be worth a little more money. We all hate to admit pride is a factor, but it has been with farmers for years, even back when one had great pride in his good looking team of horses!