Best Homeowner Tractor

Specialized Implements The implements mentioned previously are some of the most common ones, but there are many more on the market that have been made for additional tasks around the farm.

A tractor can never have too many features. By engaging the differential lock, I could force the left wheel to do its part and not pass the workload to the useless right wheel. Before I knew it, I had driven right across the top of the anthill, and suddenly...

If you're just getting started in the search for a perfect tractor, here's an introduction to their main parts and the function of each one. One of the most useful is the three-point hitch, which includes a hydraulic lift for raising and lowering attached...

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. They're basically essential for large-scale farm maintenance and they're also...

A medium-duty, 5- to 6-feet-wide brush hog is fine for most pasture and trail maintenance, but you may decide you need a “finish mower” to quickly trim the lawn around the house for a golf course manicure.

The list includes: aerators chippers/shredders crimper-rollers electrical generators harrows hay-making tools mowers plastic mulch layers plows and other soil-working devices pressure washers seeders snow removal implements stump grinders tillers transport...

You'll not only see history, you'll see some pretty darn good technology. If you are heading west out of Spokane, Wash., on Highway 2 the last weekend in August, watch for old combines working in fields on the north side of the road.

And when it comes to utility tractors, they have power to spare for simple projects, so you can handle tasks such as pulling a wagon of hay while running your tractor at a lower throttle setting.

“The center of the road bed should be about 3 inches higher than the shoulder of the road,” says Perry Oakes, state conservation engineer with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Auburn, Ala.

In these cases, a quality riding lawn mower is a necessity. In essence, yes, but if you do even a little research into proper mowing techniques, you'll enter a whole world filled with theories on the most appropriate mowing patterns and whether you should...

Among the many Italian farmers to whom I have spoken about Lamborghini tractors, the brand is respected for its useful technical innovation and low cost of operation. Success came quickly to the new tractor manufacturer, who came from a farming family,...

This specialized hitch for attaching implements uses three points of connection to the tractor, offering a stable way to expand a tractor's abilities. Naturally, this can be frustrating if you're ready to get started but are delayed by stubborn equipment.

With a shop towel handy, loosen the drain plug by turning counterclockwise, breaking it loose with the wrench and unthreading it the rest of the way by hand. What size and type of oil filter fits the machine?

So every once in a while, gravel driveways need to be graded to restore them to peak condition—and grading project that is surely appealing to any hobby farmer with a DIY attitude.

In fact, a tube, just like a tire, can be patched, and if it needs to be replaced, it can be purchased for a fraction of the price of a new tire. Be mindful in buying sealants that the one you use is non-corrosive.

Only so many bales can be produced per hour, and even when they're off the fields, they still need to be stored in a weather-protected area. Whether you enlist the help of your family and friends or hire helpers as necessary, you'll appreciate having...

But of course, Little Mo is, well, pretty little as far as tractors go, with a bit more than 22 horsepower at the drawbar and about 25 at the power take-off . That's why our farm added a tractor a few years back: a classic Massey Ferguson 135, beautifully...

On one fall afternoon, after it had been raining for days, my brother and I were replacing a damaged fence post that had been set in the ground using concrete. Any post with concrete is tricky and time-consuming to remove, but as we soon discovered, this...

Once you've chosen a piece of wood, you'll need to drill holes in two adjacent corners. (Although, having the leading edge of the board hover ever so slightly above the ground will help it slide smoothly and not get caught on bumpy ground.) While I wouldn't...

Here's our guide with seasonal checklists that will help you keep small machines such as ATVs and UTVs running smoothly. ATV and UTV users riding in dusty conditions should be extra cautious, checking the air filter perhaps daily.

Draining the fuel tank or adding a fuel stabilizer might also be necessary depending on the type of fuel you use and the length of time the machine will be out of use; consult the user manuals for advice on winter preparations.

Consider an oil scan or sample program for periodic review of oil quality and a heads-up on other problems. If fluid levels are low, refill with distilled water and recharge. Small farm tractor-battery maintenance should be carried out at least once or...

Tags farm equipment , tractor , UTV Whatever it is, the guide below will help you make the best equipment decisions for the work that lays before you. Choose the right piece (or pieces) of farm equipment to complete your spring farm-maintenance chores...

Help motorists see your horse when riding at dusk with a reflective collar that won't cause hair loss or rubbing. So have a look at the things we found that can help your farm run better or keep you and your animals safer.

All that's left is to remove the tree stumps … which, to be honest, is probably twice as hard as the previous steps combined. Stump grinders exist as tractor attachments as well, saving you from having to maintain a separate machine.

Here are a few tools and implements that can help you get the job done. Most hobby farmers eventually have to deal with rocks in their fields or yards. Of course, removing these rocks can also be troublesome, and if you want rock-free fields you need...

Increasingly, manuals are available both digitally and in print. Properly carried out, regular maintenance, both daily and longer term, is multipurpose: Engine components are protected, and operating efficiency is maintained.