Best Compact 4x4 Tractor

But first, allow me to backtrack. The mower was stuck in the first place because it has a differential, in essence a gear train that lets the two rear driving wheels spin at different speeds.

Tires The tires of a tractor are designed to provide lots of traction so that the tractor can do heavy work. With the possible exception of a barn, nothing says “farm” quite like a tractor, and for good reason: They're hard-working, powerful machines...

With special attachments, tractors can even handle digging stumps and drilling fencepost holes—and don't forget the convenience a tractor can add to even simple farm chores. While they don't have quite the same horsepower as a utility model, compact...

Harvesting Harvesting usually involves driving the tractor down rows to haul your bounty back to the house. Construction Projects It's difficult to imagine tackling any construction project without a tractor.

You've got to clear all that brush, chip all those branches, till the land—the list goes on. (For instance, the hay-baler is nearly $10,000.) Used machines can be difficult to come by, as these machines can often last a lifetime with proper maintenance...

An event that really stands out for me was one of those things that never happens traveling the interstates. For photos of past Vintage Harvest events, visit this blog . The exposition included not only the combines and crawler tractors of the day but...

Thanks to the high gear setting and low throttle, the mower couldn't offer much in the way of strength—you wouldn't want to mow with that combination. Even a simple lawn mower, running at full throttle, can quickly guzzle through a full tank of gas.

If you want to save yourself sore muscles and hours of tiring labor, consider implements that attach to the front or rear of your tractor. A small, maneuverable tractor is your best bet for this use.

If you're just maintaining a manicured area, then continuing to mow in a clockwise direction will allow the mower to move back over the discharged clippings, cutting them into smaller pieces and moving them closer and closer to the center of the mowing...

Instead, an American farmer may find a tractor manufactured by the same company under the Deutz-Fahr brand name. Modern Lamborghini tractors are produced by the Same Deutz-Fahr group, the largest privately owned agricultural-machinery manufacturer in...

However, the design of the hitch was exclusive to Ford, leading to decades of competition as other tractor manufacturers attempted to produce similar hitches, including a two-point “Fast-Hitch” used on Farmall tractors.

Step 5: Reinstall the Oil Filter Once back on the farm, you'll reinstall the oil filter as it came apart, coating all O-rings or rubber gaskets with fresh oil first. Step 4: Collect Supplies As the oil drains, pick up supplies from a farm store or dealership,...

Like a simple rear blade, a box blade attaches to the rear of your tractor using the three-point hitch, but unlike a rear blade, a box blade has sides that catch gravel rather than letting it spill off either side of the blade, which can help the unit...

The patch will then stick to in the hole and stop the leak—far and away the most affordable of fixes, though again, you cannot patch a busted sidewall. Start by calling the one nearest to you to save on shipping.

If you have people riding the hay wagon to stack the hay bales as the bales are produced, let them work in shifts so that no one is out in the sun for too long at a time. It's a team effort, and to keep things running smoothly I've found that you need...

In reading about the Massey, I discovered that the 135 is still in widespread use in developing countries, where its simple design and reliability are appreciated. Not necessarily, when it comes to tractors.

Be prepared to release the lift if you feel the tractor start to move instead of the post. 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.

The wood acts like a sled, distributing the weight of the object and slicing across the ground without digging in and leaving marks. If you live on a farm, it's inevitable that you'll eventually need to move heavy objects that just don't lend themselves...

Dry rot can also be a problem, so give your machine's rubber a close look in the spring, and check for cracks or weakening that might indicate a replacement is needed. This story originally appeared in the November/December 2017 issue of Hobby Farms.

Any machines that you won't use during the winter—lawn mowers, string trimmers, and so on—should be stored away in sheds or garages or (at the very least) under a lean-to where they'll stay dry and be protected from the weather.

The “freeze” scale on one side of the hydrometer indicates the freezing point of the solution. Periodic servicing recommendations are most often based on operating hours, such as changing oil every 100 hours or more; however, these are guidelines...

The right tool saves time and effort, making cleanup easier and more fun to do. Whatever it is, the guide below will help you make the best equipment decisions for the work that lays before you.

Help motorists see your horse when riding at dusk with a reflective collar that won't cause hair loss or rubbing. Starting at $50 at Garden Tool Co. 8. $39.99 per pair at EZGrip Mat Mover 4.

A mattock is a hand tool similar to a pickaxe, with a head that generally includes either two cutting blades or one cutting blade and a pick. Imagine you're trying to clear a field for one of your farming projects.

Keep in mind that some rocks might be too big to move with anything short of professional-level equipment. Backhoe Attachment If you're looking to dig up huge boulders, then you might want to skip the digging bar and let your tractor do the work with...

“We also bind everything so the manual will lay out flat.” A quick review of your tractor owner's manual will identify key service points on your tractor, including lubrication, cooling, air, fuel and tires.

Check the tractor's oil. Start with a visual inspection of your small farm tractor. Some tractor models share a common reservoir for both. Checking air pressure in the spring is especially important, as tires can lose pressure over the winter.