ASK YOURSELF
Make your tractor buying decision easier.

Answering these basic questions will help narrow your search How will you be using your tractor? How much property do you have? How many acres will you be using your tractor on? Do you expect the land size to remain the same or expand? Do you plan on doing any custom work for friends or customers? Who will be the primary operator of your tractor? How much experience does the operator have with tractors?

Tractors.  There are literally hundreds of types and configurations.  What’s right for you?  That’s a great first question to ask once you’ve made the decision to consider buying.

Now some basics that might be “old hat.”  Many folks who are farming or living on rural land and already own agricultural tractors have a good idea of what they need.  But for those who are first-time buyers… or simply haven’t shopped for a new tractor in some time, these tips will help narrow your search. 

In recent years, tractor technology has advanced greatly.  Today’s models are more powerful, more versatile, easier to operate and safer than tractors of yesterday.  Like automobiles, there are more options to consider.  Engines, transmissions, hydraulics, creature comforts.  Some are standard; some are options that cost additional dollars.  Before you can evaluate whether features are important, you need to know whether they are applicable to your needs.

Your best advisor is your Montana Tractors dealer.  When they know how you’re going to use the tractor, they can help you get utility, compact, sub compact, agricultural, farm tractors, or other tractor that best matches your expectations.  The right size, the right price.

What will you be using the tractor for?

This is the single most important factor you can share with your dealer.  Are you going to need a lot of power?  Power that you can transfer to the ground in lifting, hauling and work with implements?  If so, a gear-driven transmission may be the best for you.  Will you be working in tight spaces, such as a horse-barn?  Lots of repetitive back-and-forth motion?  Then maybe an HST (hydrostatic transmission) is right for you.  Your dealer can help you decide.

How much property do you have?  How many acres will you be using your tractor on?

Do you have 5 acres of pasture to mow?  Or, more like a 15 acre farm?  This simple example illustrates how the size of your place/operation influences the type of tractor.

If you want to run a 15-foot batwing rotary mower versus a 6-foot rotary cutter, then you’ll need a considerably larger horsepower utility, compact, sub compact, agricultural or farm tractor.

Do you expect the land size to remain the same or expand?

If you plan on buying more land or even moving to a larger plot of land, this is an important consideration.  Especially if you expect to do so before you want to trade tractors.  Think about your plans for the next 5-7 years.  If your roots are deep where you’re at – don’t worry about this one!

Do you plan on doing any custom work for friends or customers?

Again, a basic question but very important to answer if it’s a possibility.  If yes, go back and answer the first two questions:  What will you be using the tractor for and how much property will you be working with?

Who will be the primary operator of your tractor?  How much experience does the operator have with tractors?

A very important question.  Sometimes the tractor buyer and the main operator are not the same.

What is the skill level of the operator?  How about the comfort level?  Comfort?  You bet.  There’s no reason for tractor operation to be an anxiety-ridden experience.  Tractors are made for all levels of skill and comfort in mind – like manual and automatic transmissions in cars and trucks.  If you’re a skilled operator and need maximum power, a conventional gear-driven tractor is best.  If convenience and ease of use are priorities, an HST model might be better.

Summary

We hope you find this simple checklist helpful.  It’ll give you a head start in your search for the ideal agricultural, farm, utility, sub compact, or compact tractor machine.  And when you approach your dealer with answers in mind, he or she can help you purchase the perfect tractor for your perfect place in the country!