More and more people are choosing to start their own hobby farms. These small operations typically don't have vast expanses of land that must be worked in preparation for planting. A hobby farm does, however, have more land than the average person would want to work by hand.
A tractor can be a valuable addition to any hobby farm. Here are some important qualities to look for as you shop for tractors to ensure your new piece of equipment will meet your farm's needs.
1. Maximize Versatility
A small or medium tractor will still represent a significant financial investment for a hobby farmer. To help you offset the cost of a new tractor, be sure that the model you buy can perform a wide range of tasks.
The more versatile your tractor is, the more use you will get out of it around your property.
The ideal hobby farm tractor will not only till soil, it can be used to plow snow or mow a field. It's easy to justify spending the money on a tractor when you are able to use the tractor to perform a wide range of tasks around both your farm and yard.
2. Check for Available Attachments
A small tractor can be made even more useful by fitting it with a series of attachments. You should always take the time to check the availability of attachments for a particular tractor make and model before finalizing your purchase.
The more attachments that are available on the market, the easier it will be to find the attachments you need to turn your tractor into a real workhorse around your hobby farm.
Common attachments that you will want to check for include backhoes, buckets, and bushwhackers.
3. Look for Safety Features
Tractors are large pieces of equipment that can be dangerous to operate. It's important that you invest in a tractor with quality safety features that are designed to protect the driver in the event of an accident.
The safety features that must be included on your tractor include a seatbelt and a rollover protective structure. Rollovers are the most common type of tractor accident. A seatbelt and rollover protective structure will prevent you from being crushed or thrown from your tractor during any rollover.
Other safety features you might want your tractor to have include indicator lights, manual power steering override, and a protective sun shield.
For more information, contact a local company like Bane-Welker Equipment.
Share