Buying a Used COMPACT TRACTOR
There are a huge amount of questions, scenarios and choices when Buying a used Compact Tractor. Firstly is the make or manufacturer. Nowadays there a whole host of makes available in the UK from various dealers. The most important factor we discuss with our customers is to consider a make where you have a close by dealer centre for ease of parts and service access. We find from experience that some of the cheaper makes of imported tractor are not the best situated for a good parts supply and service support. The next hurdle is what specification best suits your requirements. Are you working on slopes?, will you be hedgecutting or verge cutting?. These are important factors and relate to the width, size and stability of the tractor for the intended task.
The most frequently asked question we get is: can you get a loader to fit it? The answer generally is YES. The issue is finding a competitively priced loader with the correct fitting brackets to suit each specific make and model. Our advice is always the same and that is: If you want or think a loader is important to you make sure you buy a tractor with a loader already fitted. it is as simple as that. It may take time to find one but be patient.
Horse Power. We rate most Compact Tractors to be between 15p and 50hp. Generally the physical size of the tractor is more important than the actual horsepower as the tractor needs be the right size and weight for the attachments to be used, and the horsepower of the tractor will be relevant to the size. For example you wont find a 50hp engine in a 3ft wide 600kgs tractor and the opposite with a 15hp engine in 1500kgs 6ft wide tractor.
Transmissions. A huge factor which must be explained clearly to every customer. Compact tractors generally have one of three types of transmission fitted: HYDROSTATIC, MECHANICAL and SHUTTLE.
Lets start with hydrostatic. A hydrostatic transmission in its basic description is a gearbox driven by oil and not lots of gears, you may have a choice of low, medium and high range and will have either a single directional drive pedal or dual pedals, one forward and one reverse. Operating is simple, the further you push you foot down the faster you go. The benefit is that you have infinite control over the speed of the tractor irrelevant to the engine speed, for example you may have a PTO driven topper fitted and a paddock with short grass and some areas of taller, denser grass areas, you are able to travel at a good speed to cut the shorter grass, but will need to slow down for the taller grass obviously. With a Hydrostatic transmission you can just lift your foot off the pedal a little to slow down whilst at the same time keeping the engine revs and more importantly the PTO speed at its constant rated speed of 540rpm. Once past the tougher area simply put your foot down and increase speed. Simple.
Mechanical Transmission. These are generally a simple gear driven transmission similar to operate as a car with a foot operated clutch and H pattern gear lever. As with the hydrostatic transmission they may be a choice of Low Medium and High range which can give a tractor a large number of gears so you can find one to suit the speed you want for the task and maintain the 540rpm at the PTO for the implement. A a general rule a mechanical transmission is ideal for any work IN the ground, so rotavating, verti-draining, stone burying etcc. Some tractors also come with a creep speed. this is very important to consider if you wish to use a trencher for example where very slow forward speeds may be required.
Shuttle transmissions. These are very much like mechanical transmissions and have a very similar layout and operation, however a shuttle transmission will normally have a steering column mounted lever to change direction simply from forward to reverse in whichever main gears have been selected. It makes this type of transmission perfect for loader work or yard scraping where a lot of directional changes are required.
2wd or 4wd. This one is really decided for you. The requirements of work, land and type of surface, mud, road, grass or fine turf for example will dictate if you need a 2wd or 4wd tractor.
Cab or ROPS. Are you working under trees?. will it be used for hedgecutting?. Is it always wet and cold?. Do you just want a radio and aircon?. These are some of the factors to consider when purchasing a tractor with or without a cab. Generally however it comes down to if you want one or not.
Rear Linkage. Nearly all Compact Tractors with come with rear 3 point linkage. 2 x lower link arms and an adjustable top link. This is how most attachments are mounted to all tractors. The main consideration here is what will you be putting on the back of your tractor?. If you wish to use it for Verti-Draining (very heavy) etc, you will need to ensure the tractor is capable of not just lifting the attachment but also and more importantly be stable and safe. Most Compact Tractors will also come with some sort or drawbar for a trailer etc. Some are fixed and some will have a full pick up hitch which can be raised and lowered to aid with hooking up to an implement.
Spool Valves (Remote hydraulics). These are Quick release valves which allow the tractors hydraulic system to be used to power auxiliary attachments. The most common being tipping a trailer. Some attachments require more than one Spool Valve so check how many the tractor has against how many you will need.
Tyre Choices. There are three types of tyre, Agricultural, Turf and Industrial. Agricultural tyres are exactly that. Perfect for smallholders and operation on and in soil. Turf tyres areas the name suggests suited perfectly to all tasked to carried out on turf. These tyres do not damage grass and turf arears like a standard agricultural tyre would. The last one is industrial, and these can be quite versatile. Ideal for working on hard surfaces they offer a compromise of both the agricultural and the turf options. The don’t have the traction of an Agricultural tyre yet they wont damage turf turf as much either.
The hope is that this just brings a little awareness to some of the points of consideration and thoughts when looking to purchase a compact tractor. If you would like to discuss in greater detail with impartial advice please feel free to get in touch via the links below of direct to me: Simon Bailey on 07508 810655
You can find all our current stock at:
https://esegroundcare.co.uk/categories/tractors/
You can also connect with us at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-bailey-580988b2/