Best Sub Compact Tractor

I considered firing up a larger tractor to tow the mower to flatter ground, but then I tried one of the mower's more obscure features—the differential lock. It can seem like modern tractors have so many features and controls that it's hard to memorize...

Hydraulic power-­steering can make turning easier, while hydraulic power is also used for lifting attachments and powering implements such as backhoes and front-end loaders. Of course, this also means that tractors are complex machines with a lot of...

These tractors are a great choice if you need a lawn mower that will withstand heavy use and give you options for working on other farm projects. Horsepower: approximately 20 to 25 3.

Fence Building Reeling out four 80-pound rolls of barbed wire, as well as carrying steel posts, post driver, fence stretcher, corner posts, post-hole digger, iron bar and shovel, requires a Herculean effort—or, in my case, a “Henry” effort, which...

The simple and rugged design of a walk-behind tractor translates into high durability and low maintenance. How many Americans buy a membership at a health club and walk on a treadmill, and then go home and sit on a riding mower?

While topping a hill in western Washington state this summer, I saw before me a wheat field with harvest equipment circa 1930 and 1940. Bigger isn't always better. So here I found myself among machines that were, in some ways, superior or at least equal...

On many occasions, you need to run your tractor at full throttle—you certainly wouldn't want to go mow thick grass on the turtle setting. Running an engine at full throttle comes with a price: increased gas consumption.

Don't bench your tractor when the garden is dormant—more chores await, and this barn tenant is ready to pitch in. Typical farm chores, such as plowing fields, cutting and baling hay, and transporting and feeding hay in the winter, are made easier by...

Even the time of day that you mow can make a difference. A common question involves whether to mow in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. While I don't claim to be an expert on mowing, I've certainly done a lot of it and have developed a few thoughts...

“A Lamborghini tractor is much better made than a Lamborghini car,” one grizzled old farmer told me. But he held his tractor business most dear, and even today, in the Ferruccio Lamborghini museum, the tractors he built take center stage.

At times like these I suggest thinking back to the days before the three-point hitch was a standard for farm equipment. What a different world it was! The truth of the matter is that the three-point hitch is a tremendous accomplishment in the world of...

If your specs are right, the level should be right on or at least close, though you might need to add or remove a small amount. A tractor oil change should be performed according to the hours specified in your machine's owner's manual or at least every...

Some people keep things simple and use the front-end loader on their tractor to scrape at the surface of the driveway. The goal with this approach is to reduce the crown (the middle of the driveway, which can become higher than the sides over time) and...

Sealants If you prefer a tubeless tire—and many farmers do—sealants can help hold in the air. Patching or tubing your tire, if you can get away with it, will always be the most cost-effective way to keep an old tire in use.

I bale hay on my northern Wisconsin farm every summer , so here are a few tips to make the baling days proceed as smoothly as possible. It's not the easiest of tasks, but baling your own hay is a satisfying project that is—in my opinion—well worth...

Little Mo shows her age a bit with some rust and worn paint—actually, she was repainted at some point in a shade that isn't quite “John Deere Green”—but the restoration job on the Massey makes the tractor look like it just rolled off the assembly...

PTO horsepower is what is left to operate the implements after losses for engine operation. Not only will it help with routine maintenance around the property, but owning your own compact backhoe will eliminate the need to outsource projects like tree...

Manually loosen each post before getting your tractor involved. On any farm, there are many jobs needing to be done on any given day, which is why properly managing time and effort is so important.

With these holes, you can use hooks, chains, ropes or wires to attach the board to the hitch of your tractor. Fortunately, a simple piece of wood can save the day! By wrestling or rolling heavy objects onto a large, flat piece of wood, you can easily...

Replace the fuel filters as needed, but spring is nice time to start out new. Locate each grease fitting on your machine (some can be tricky to find—or even reach) and clean them before you lubricate them.

If you need to change the oil or spark plugs, now is the time to do it, and make sure you've got plenty of fuel on hand. If items need washing, do that now; if your boots are wearing out and won't survive another winter, get a new pair.

Inspect and clean terminals and measure voltage levels. Your dealer or mechanic can point you to a reliable oil-scan service provider. “It only costs $10 to $12 per sample, and you get a readout of any contaminants in the oil.” 2.

Tags farm equipment , tractor , UTV Think about the task ahead and the tools you need to get the job done. Farmstead cleanup is a multifaceted chore, and the right tools make all the difference.

Power Wheelbarrow Yardmax's Power Wheelbarrow has a load capacity of 660 pounds and offers the traction and stability needed to move heavy loads across rugged, uneven, muddy and wet landscapes.

Mattock If you want to dig out a stump the old-fashioned way, a mattock is the tool for you. You've cut down trees and hauled away the debris (no small task), and you've removed some of the biggest rocks .

Here are some tools that can help you get the job done. That said, most rock-removal tasks can be achieved with less effort. Most hobby farmers eventually have to deal with rocks in their fields or yards.

Small farm tractor maintenance should be a no-brainer. Depending on the age and popularity of the model, they might have a manual on hand or be able to order one for you. Investing a few minutes before you start your tractor and a few hours throughout...