How to Choose a Satisfactory Tractor

There are more than a hundred brands of tractors on the market, with numerous models, complex configurations, and vastly different prices. Even industry insiders are sometimes confused, let alone users. So when purchasing a tractor, how do you determine whether the quality is good or bad, and what factors should you consider, in order to buy a tractor that is of excellent quality, economical and practical, reasonably priced, and suitable for you? 1. Visit users who own tractors This is very crucial. Before buying a tractor, you must visit several experienced users who have bought and used tractors. They know best about the performance, quality, service, parts supply, and income situation of the tractors they use, and they will also be very familiar with the operation of other brands of tractors working locally. Ask them humbly for advice, and you will benefit greatly. 2. Visit users who use tractors for field operations Large grain growers and agricultural cooperatives, after using tractors for rotary tillage, plowing, straw returning, and other operations, will have an objective and fair evaluation of the tractors used for the work, including work quality, work efficiency, whether there were breakdowns, and waiting time after breakdowns. Through visits, you will learn the most real situation. 3. Observe tractor operations on site Pay more attention to observing tractors working locally, and see which brand is the most common, which model is the most common, and which brands and models are most favored by drivers and planting users. Go to the work site to observe operations on the spot, and communicate more with drivers and growers to understand the actual working conditions. Gold cups and silver cups are not as good as the people's reputation. The people's reputation is quite authentic and still very reliable. Do not buy anything with a poor reputation. 4. Selection of tractor manufacturer Through the above three tasks, you have actually already gained a preliminary understanding of tractors. When choosing a tractor manufacturer, note that there are too many tractor manufacturers now. Which one should you trust? It is recommended to choose some large-brand manufacturers. Large-brand tractors are basically satisfactory in terms of product quality, after-sales service, and parts supply. 5. Selection of tractor horsepower The trend of increasing tractor horsepower is very obvious. From tractor sales data in 2017 and the second half of 2018, models 1804, 2004, and 2204 are becoming increasingly popular and are becoming mainstream. However, the specific model purchased should be combined with local actual conditions and be suitable for local fields and operation projects: tractor size should be compatible with local field size, concentration and contiguity, and the conditions of specific operation projects. If the fields are flat, relatively large, with small height differences, and there is more subsoiling and plowing, larger models should be selected; if the fields are small and scattered, small and medium-sized tractors should be selected. Otherwise, the efficiency of large tractors cannot be fully utilized, while the productivity of small tractors is low. This not only wastes fuel but also cannot meet the requirements for rapid operations during the busy farming season. 6. Selection of tractor large or small chassis For today's tractors, manufacturers pursue high subsidies and high profits, while users pursue low prices and high horsepower. Tractors of the same horsepower are divided into large bridge, medium bridge, and small bridge. Small bridge, that is, small chassis tractors, dominate the market because of their low prices. Take the 504 tractor as an example. A certain brand's 504 has three types, namely C-type 504 tractor, A-type 504 tractor, and D-type 504 tractor. The minimum operating mass of the C-type 504 tractor is 1820 kg, the minimum operating mass of the A-type 504 tractor is 1160 kg, and the minimum operating mass of the D-type 504 tractor is 2145 kg. The heavier one is definitely a large-bridge tractor, and the lighter one is definitely a small-bridge tractor. The price difference between large-bridge and small-bridge tractors is huge. If you are doing heavy-load traction work, you must choose a large-bridge tractor, otherwise the chassis part is prone to problems; if you are doing medium- or light-load work, you can choose a medium- or small-bridge tractor. The simplest and most effective way to distinguish large- and small-bridge tractors is to look at the minimum operating mass on the nameplate. 7. Selection of engine manufacturer The engine is very critical to a tractor. It is the power source of the whole machine, and the working environment is harsh, so the quality of the engine matched to the tractor must be good. When purchasing a tractor, you must look at the engine equipped on the tractor. It is recommended to choose engines from major brands, such as Yuchai, Weichai, Changchai, etc. If it is equipped with an unknown off-brand engine, it is recommended to replace it. 8. Selection between four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive tractors Tractors are divided into four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive means four-wheel drive, and its front wheels can also be driven. The obvious difference is that the front tire tread pattern is the same as the rear tire tread pattern, and the front tires are larger than those of a two-wheel drive tractor. During normal travel, the front drive cannot be engaged, otherwise it will cause tire scuffing; the front drive can only be engaged on soft ground and during heavy-load traction operations. Generally, engaging the front drive during plowing gives very good results. Four-wheel drive can increase the friction between tires and the ground, reduce slipping, plow quickly, and reduce fuel consumption; if plowing with two-wheel drive, the tires will slip severely and fuel consumption will increase. For the same brand and same horsepower, the fuel consumption difference between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive is not large, but the overall mass of four-wheel drive is somewhat heavier than that of two-wheel drive, and the price is also somewhat more expensive than two-wheel drive. 9. Selection of tractor PTO speed Using the tractor PTO to drive implements for operations is one of the most widely used forms on tractors, such as rotary tillage, straw returning, and driving power harrows. However, problems often occur due to speed mismatch, including unreasonable implement matching, low work efficiency, poor work results, failure to enter the soil, and inability to pull. Therefore, the selection of PTO speed is very important. Tractor PTO speeds include 540 rpm, 1000 rpm, 760 rpm (720 rpm, 760 rpm, 850 rpm, etc.), and synchronous speed, four types in total. 540 rpm and 1000 rpm are international standards and also national standards, while 760 rpm (720 rpm, 760 rpm, 850 rpm, etc.) is a manufacturer standard. The PTO speed on domestic medium- and large-horsepower tractors is generally two-speed. Two-speed power outputs include 540/1000 rpm, 540/760 rpm, 760/1000 rpm, 760/850 rpm, etc. In actual use of PTO speeds, 1000 rpm PTO speed is generally used less, so when choosing PTO speed, 540/760 rpm or 760/850 rpm is generally selected. 10. Selection of tractor after-sales service Tractors should be purchased through regular agricultural machinery dealers. Be sure to understand the brand reputation of the model and the after-sales service capability of the manufacturer. Resolutely do not buy tractors of inferior quality and with no guarantee of after-sales service. The selected model should be one that has been tried and demonstrated locally and proven to have reliable quality and performance and to be suitable for local use. If through the above methods you still cannot determine what kind of tractor to buy, and you are afraid of being cheated, you can find an experienced old agricultural machinery expert to help you check on site and distinguish for you.