Are you a farmer looking to purchase a new tractor for your fields? With so many brands and models available today, buying a tractor that perfectly fits your requirements can get overwhelming.
In this ultimate guide, we will simplify tractor buying for you. We will take you through the key factors to consider before making a purchase decision – agriculture land size and terrain, application, tractor types, features, horsepower range, attached equipment, brands, pricing, and financing options. Read on to make the best tractor investment for higher productivity and profits from your farmland!
Determine Application and Land Size
The first step is determining your land size and primary application where you will use the tractor. This could be for –
- Field crops like wheat, corn, rice (broad acre farming)
- Row crops like sugarcane, potatoes, and tomatoes
- Orchards and vineyards
- Landscaping and lawn mowing
- Front-end loader works like material handling
Bigger acreages with wide open fields would need higher horsepower range tractors than smaller land patches involved in intense tasks like orchards and vineyards.
Assess the Terrain
Tractors need to be robust and sturdy for uneven agricultural land with slopes and elevation changes. If your farm fields are flat, you can look at affordable two-wheel drive models. However, a four-wheel drive tractor would provide better control and maneuverability for hilly and rough terrains.
Consider if the fields have swampy patches or streams where an agricultural tyre tread may get superior traction than industrial turf tires.
Determine the Application
- Field crops: For acres of wheat, corn, etc., look at mid-high horsepower range tractors (80-140 HP). These tractors require good ground clearance for crop residues; it’s better to have adjustable wheel treads and front ballast weights.
- Row crops: Vineyards and orchards require narrower and more powerful tractors in lower horsepower range (25-90 HP). Need height adjustment for working under tree canopies.
- Landscaping: Compact utility tractors (25-50 HP) with mid-mount mowers, loaders, and backhoes for lawn maintenance applications.
- Frontend loaders: Tractors with heavier front axles and counterweights for material relocation tasks on construction sites.
Key Tractor Features
Based on the application and land specifics, you should prioritize key features in your new tractor purchase:
- Engine power (HP rating)
- 4WD or 2WD options
- PTO Horsepower to run attached implements
- Hydraulics – lifting capacity and flow rate
- Hitch category based on implements
- Power take-off (PTO) RPM rating
- Differential lock for traction on slippery terrain
- Fuel efficiency
- Type of tires
- Operator comfort and controls
Popular Tractor Types
There are three main categories of farm tractor types:
1. Utility Tractors (45-100 HP)
It is all-purpose and economical for crop production tasks like planting, spraying, and hauling. It can have a front-end loader installed. It is better for uneven terrain.
2. Row Crop Tractors (90-200 HP)
Specialization for orchard, vineyards, and row crops with narrow wheel adjustments. Higher ground clearance and horsepower delivered from the engine or PTO.
3. Specialty Tractors (less than 45 HP)
Compact and low-profile machines for lawn mowing, landscaping, front-end loaders, and backhoe tasks. They are nimble in size and feature-packed with comforts and attachments.
Evaluate Horsepower Capacity
One of the foremost deciding factors for a tractor model is the engine horsepower based on the implement sizes planned for purchase:
- Light duty = 20 to 40 HP – For 1 to 2 bottom plows, disc harrows up to 7 feet wide, planters, and trucks
- Medium duty = 40 to 100 HP – For 3 to 5 bottom plows, offset disc harrows, and 8 to 20 foot wide cultivation equipment
- Heavy duty = 100 to 250 HP – For chisel plows, offset discs over 20 feet wid,e along with dozens of grain carts
The PTO horsepower rating will also indicate the power transmission capacity to run implements.
Assess Transmission, Hitches, and PTO
Most modern tractors have adjustable gear transmission, though some economy utility tractors still have fixed gears. Ensure it has the speeds you need for the equipment to be attached:
- 8-12 Forward and 4 Reverse Gears – Adequate for most farming activities
- 12-32 Forward and 12 Reverse – For precision tasks in vineyards or gardens
The 3-point hitch category indicates the lifting power and capacity, which should match the farm implements. The common hitch classes are:
- Category 1 – For tillers, seeders, small mower,s and backhoe (Up to 3,000 pounds lifting force)
- Category 2 – For mid-sized plows, rakes, and loaders (Up to 7,500 pounds lifting force)
- Category 3 and 4 – For heavy plows, large balers, and cultivators (Over 15,000 pounds lifting force)
The PTO generally operates at either 540 or 1000 RPM on most tractor models. Some also have a transportation mode and diesel engine independent PTO speeds.
Evaluate Brands and Models
For those starting out, compact utility tractors from brands like Mahindra, Sonalika, VST Tillers, and Asian are quite affordable. They produce reliable lower HP tractors suited for basic farming demands.
For heavy-duty performance, brands like John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and the Indian tractor major TAFE offer trusted tractor models equipped with the latest technologies for intelligent farming.
Kubota, Escorts, and Solis Yanmar (European brand) produce higher-range specialist vineyard and orchard tractors.
Look at financing tie-ups the brand has with banks or NBFCs as that can reduce your overall cost of purchasing the tractor through loans and insurance. Also see if the tractor brand has extensive service network and parts availability in your region for maintenance ease after purchase.
New Tractor Pricing in India
Tractor prices in India typically range between ₹3 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs, depending on type, brand, model, horsepower capacity, and features. Here’s an approximate price range:
- Small utility tractors: ₹3 – 7 lakhs
- Mid-size specialty tractors: ₹7 – 10 lakhs
- High capacity row crop tractors: ₹10 – 15 lakhs
Second-hand tractors can reduce cost by 30-40%, but evaluate repair and gearbox requirements before buying old models.
Financing Your Tractor
Many tractor companies offer financing schemes through tie-ups with leading banks and NBFCs in India at competitive interest rates typically starting at 10% per annuml. This includes:
- Term Loans up to 7 years
- Retail finance schemes for up to 90% of the tractor cost
- Easy EMI options to match farm incomes
Before availing financing, compare interest rates across banks and NBFCs also. Some private sector financiers promote fast disbursement at the dealer end itself.
Summing Up
We have covered all the key factors you must evaluate while investing in a new tractor – land size and terrain, usage application, tractor types in HP range, transmission speeds, 3-point hitch, PTO capacity and brands with financing schemes. Conducting thorough research will ensure your new tractor gives best returns from farmland for years.
With tractors advancing in automation technologies like auto-steering, remote monitoring and implement control, your farm productivity is bound to multiply.
