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First Time Buyer Guide

May. 22 2025 Buyers Guides By Julia Badger

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Choosing Your First Tractor: What You Need to Know

Buying your first tractor is a big step, and there are several important factors to consider to ensure you make the right choice for your needs.


Tractor Sizes & Common Uses

  • Small Tractors – Ideal for hauling and general property maintenance.

  • Large Tractors – Best suited for farming tasks like plowing, disking, and mowing.

Horsepower: A Key Factor

One of the most critical aspects of selecting a tractor is horsepower. The size and scope of your tasks should determine how much power you need.

  • Too much horsepower means you're paying more than necessary.

  • Too little horsepower can leave your machine underpowered, leading to poor performance or potential damage.

There are three types of horsepower to understand when shopping for a compact tractor:

  • Engine Horsepower (Brake HP): Measures the engine’s output on its own, without any attachments like pumps or gearboxes.

  • PTO Horsepower (Power Take-Off HP): The most commonly quoted figure; it represents how much usable power is available at the PTO shaft, typically used for spinning tools like mowers or cutters.

  • Drawbar Horsepower (Draft HP): Measures pulling power when towing or dragging, usually about 85% of the PTO HP.



Understanding Tractor Transmissions

Unlike automobiles, tractors perform a wide range of tasks, and the transmission is essential for delivering the necessary torque and control. Here are the main types:

  • Gear Drive (Non-Synchronized): A traditional manual system using a clutch to shift gears. Cost-effective but less smooth—think gear grinding.

  • Hydrostatic Transmission: Easy to operate, with no clutch or gear changes—just push the pedal to go forward or reverse. Ideal for general ease of use.

  • Shuttle Transmission: Allows quick direction changes (forward to reverse) without gear hunting, especially useful in tight spaces or for repetitive tasks. Available in mechanical (with clutch) or hydraulic (clutch less) versions.



Additional Factors to Consider

Before making a purchase, think about:

  • What are your immediate and long-term goals for your property (e.g., mowing, tilling, hauling)?

  • How many acres are you working with?

  • What type of terrain do you have—flat, hilly, rough?

  • Do you need 4WD?

  • What size areas will you be navigating?

  • How often will you be using your tractor?

  • Do you prefer automatic operation or traditional clutching?

  • What’s your priority task? This helps you decide which implements to invest in first.

  • Will you be working year-round? Consider cabs or snow implements for cold-weather use.

Recommendations by Property Type

🏡 Small Farms

Uses: Hobby farming, food plots, hay baling, garden upkeep
Recommended Kubota Series: MX, L60, Standard L Series
Popular Attachments:

  • Front Loader, Backhoe

  • Rotary Tiller, Cutter, Grooming Mower

  • Grading Scraper, Box Scraper

  • Post Hole Digger, Snow Blower

  • Quick-Hitch, Disc Harrow, Landscape Rake


L3302

🏘️ Residential/Homeowners

Uses: Yard work, landscaping
Recommended Kubota Series: BX, B Series, BX23S
Popular Attachments:

  • Mid-Mount Mower, Front Loader

  • Box Scraper, Snow Blower

  • Post Hole Digger, Landscape Rake


BX2380


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