Contents

Right-sizing a tractor

"What size tractor do I need for my xx acres?"

That depends on what you want to do with the tractor and what your land is like. If you just want to mow grass on a fairly small, flat, level yard, a riding mower will probably be all you will need. On the other hand, if you want to plow a field, bale hay, pull stumps or borrow implements from neighbors, you'll need a more powerful machine. 

Take a look at the Tractor Selection Chart, below. Under Characteristics, observe the differences among the four tractor categories and decide which category best fits your work environment. Under Uses, determine which tasks you will want to do with your tractor and observe the tractor category capable of performing those tasks. Refer to the Notes  at the end of the chart for additional information on specific characterisics and uses. Refer to the glossary for definitions of unfamiliar terms.
 

	Tractor Selection Chart
	Riding Mower 8-10 HP	Lawn Tractor 10-16 HP	Garden Tractor 14-20 HP	Estate Tractor 15-30 HP
Characteristics
Terrain	Flat	->	->	Hilly
Traction	Poor	->	->	Good
Payload	Light	->	->	Heavy
Attachments	Few	->	->	Many
Acreage	< 1/2	->	->	3+
Maneuverability	Good	->	->	Poor
Mowing width	Narrow	->	->	Wide
Task speed	Slow	->	->	Fast
Uses
Mowing	x	x	x	x
Snow removal		x	x	x
Tilling		x	x	x
Grading		x	x	x
Towing		x	x	x
Shredding			x	x
Loader work			x	x
Light digging			x	x
Std implements (3PH)			x	x
Excavating				x

Notes

Traction - In slippery conditions, 4-wheel drive may be beneficial. Other ways to improve traction are wheel weights, calcium solution in tires, aggressive tire tread, tire chains or various combinations of these.

Acreage - The numbers given are just guidelines.

Task speed - How large a tractor you choose should be determined, in part, on how much time you have. Larger tractors can do some things much faster than smaller ones.

Mowing - Most tractors in the categories in this chart will be used primarily for mowing lawns. Tractor selection should therefore be based largely on features required for the task of mowing. For estimates on mowing times at different speeds with different sized mowing decks, see this mowing times chart.

Snow removal - Snow is heavy and slippery. Working with snow requires a tractor with wheel weights and tire chains. Plowing can usually be done only with a few inches of snow. For more snow, a tractor-mounted snow thrower will be required. Smaller units attach to the front of the tractor and either have their own motors or are powered by the tractor motor via a power take-off (PTO). Larger units are often mounted on the rear of the tractor, usually PTO-powered, and are advanced into the snow by operating the tractor in reverse.

Grading - Light grading can be done with a front blade, but grading is usually done with a strong rear blade or box scraper.

Towing - A utility trailer is a handy tractor accessory, even as an alternative to a wheelbarrow.

Shredding - Also known as field mowing or brush hogging, this task requires a tractor large enough to tow a heavy-duty mower and enough ground clearance to negotiate uneven pasture terrain.

Loader work - Some larger garden tractors can be equipped with bucket loaders.

Light digging - Light digging can be done with a loader. The loader bucket can be equipped with digging teeth, to help break up soil.

Excavating - Serious digging requries a backhoe.