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| How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Cost and Life Two questions of interest to prospective purchasers are: How much do riding mowers and small tractors in the various classes cost and how long can I expect one to last? |
| [Image: ASAE standard quick hitch]Will an ASAE Standard Quick Hitch Fit? The advantages of an ASAE standard quick hitch include faster, easier and safer hitching. To use a ASAE standard quick hitch, the implement hitch geometry must conform to the ASAE standard. |
| [Image: Agricultural tire tread]Tires for Compact Utility Tractors Three types of rear tires are available for compact utility tractors, and at least five types are available for the front. The different types of tires serve different purposes. You can select agricultural tires for general farming, turf tires for use on turfgrass, or compromise with an industrial tread. |
| [Image: Subcompact tractor with mid-mount mower and rotary tiller]Implements for Compact Utility Tractors The tractor by itself is of limited use. The tractor furnishes the power, but the implements allow the tractor to do useful work. Varied implements are available for compact tractors from both the tractor manufacturers and short-line manufacturers. |
| Adjusting Rotary Cutters Many people use a rotary cutter (often referred to by the copyrighted name “Bush Hog”) to cut grass and weeds, but, in too many cases, the implement is not correctly adjusted. This can cause premature wear, poor quality of cut, and an excessive power requirement. |
| Adjusting Mid-Mount Tractor Mowers Mid-mount mowers for lawn, garden, and compact tractors typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They are not designed to cut tall, weedy grass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping. |
| [Image: finishing mower with 4 wheels]Adjusting Finishing Mowers Finish (or grooming) mowers typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They are not designed to cut tall, weedy grass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping. |
| What Equipment Manufacturers Do To Reduce Rust Farm and grounds maintenance equipment is often exposed to rain, high humidity, fertilizer, pesticides and corrosive plant materials (such as grass clippings). The manufacturers of that equipment have taken steps to try to protect the equipment and reduce the potential for corrosion. |
| [Image: wash equipment after each use]Busting Rust -- 10 Things You Can Do To Prevent Farm Machinery from Corroding While equipment companies are doing their part to reduce corrosion of tractors and farm equipment, how well you maintain your machinery will determine its useful life. Here are some rust prevention tips. |
| [Image: PTO generator]PTO Generators for Tractors Although most people opt for small engine-driven generators, there are some real advantages to a generator that connects to a tractor power-take-off (PTO). |
| [Image: rusted and pitted hydraulic cylinder]Protect Your Hydraulic Cylinders from Rust A common problem with hydraulic cylinders is rust and pitting of the cylinder rods. If equipment that incorporates hydraulic cylinders is stored outside with the cylinder rods extended, the rods are exposed to weathering. Eventually, the rods will begin to show specks of rust that develop into pits. Once rusting and pitting occur, the rod will destroy the cylinder seal the next time it is activated. |
| Shift Up and Throttle Down to Save Fuel When performing such light-duty operations as mowing grass or making hay, it is sometimes possible to reduce fuel consumption by shifting to a higher gear and reducing engine rpm. |
| [Image: gear transmission]How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Transmissions There are three primary transmission systems used in riding mowers and the various classes of mowing tractors. |
| [Image: Old dump-style rake]Raking Pine Straw Pine straw makes an excellent mulch and is much in demand for landscaping. If you own some land with pine trees, you can easily rake your own pine straw. |
| [Image: Hydraulic lift boom]Plans to Build Your Own Hydraulic Lift Boom Plans are provided to allow you to build a hydraulic lift boom to mount on a category II or category III-N 3-point hitch. |
| [Image: Dirt scoop for tractor]Dirt Scoop for Compact Tractors A dirt scoop is a handy attachment for small tractors. It will allow you to dig, move, and dump small quantities of soil, gravel, sand, or other materials much easier than you can do with a shovel and wheelbarrow and much less expensively than with a front-end loader on your tractor. |
| [Image: 3-point hitch cylinder]Mounting a Hydraulic Cylinder to Replace the Upper Link on a Tractor 3-point Hitch These photos and drawings show how to use an ASAE standard 3" x 8" hydraulic cylinder to provide a power-adjustable upper link for a tractor 3-point hitch. |
| [Image: ROPS and seatbelt on compact tractor]Wear That Seat Belt! All compact tractors currently sold have Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS), and most larger zero-turn mowers now have this safety feature also. A ROPS that is properly designed and used can prevent serious injury in most overturn accidents. One of the most important considerations in ROPS protection is to wear your seatbelt. |
| [Image: Front-end loader on compact tractor]Remove That Loader Bucket! Removing the bucket from the front-end loader on your tractor is very easy (on newer loaders) and makes your tractor much more maneuverable. You should develop the habit of removing the loader bucket whenever you use your tractor for mowing, tilling, etc. |
| [Image: Post hole digger on tractor]Safety With Post Hole Diggers Post hole diggers mounted on tractors and powered by the tractors’ PTO shafts are useful tools for setting posts, planting trees, and other uses, but they can cause serious injury if not used correctly. The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) is an organization whose members manufacture post hole diggers. They have developed some guidelines to help you use their products more safely. |
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| [Image: Lift boom on compact tractor]Lift Boom for Tractor 3-pt Hitch One of the handiest implements you can put on your tractor is a lift boom for the 3-point hitch. In some areas these are called boom poles or gin poles. |
| Overturn Protection for Compact Utility Tractors Compact utility tractors are small diesel tractors with less than 40 horsepower. All current models come equipped with two important safety features: a rollover protective structure (ROPS) and a seatbelt. These two safety components can go a long way toward protecting you in case of an overturn - if you use them. |
| Hydraulic Cylinder to Replace Upper Link on Tractor 3-Point Hitch A tractor 3-point hitch is handy and versatile. The upper link of a 3-point hitch is a turnbuckle that allows adjustment of the angle of the implement on the hitch. It is possible to replace this link with a hydraulic cylinder. |
| Implements for Compact Tractors: Selection, Use, Maintenance and Safety Compact utility tractors are popular with farmers, landscape contractors and rural landowners. In fact, compact tractors are by far the best-selling tractor category. These small tractors are virtually useless by themselves, but they are versatile when equipped with the proper implements and attachments. This publication discusses the selection of suitable implements for use with compact tractors. |
| Four-Wheel-Drive for Lawn & Garden and Compact Utility Tractors FWA provides four-wheel-drive when engaged. FWA substantially increases the cost of a tractor, but it provides some important benefits. |
| How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Where To Buy You will save money in the short run at discount stores and mass merchandisers. You will pay more but get better quality equipment and service with dedicated lawn and garden dealers or farm equipment dealers. |
| Suspension Systems for Mower Decks on Lawn and Garden Tractors Mid-mount rotary mower decks are common on lawn tractors, garden tractors, subcompact tractors and smaller compact utility tractors. There are two ways that these decks can be mounted, and the mounting method affects adjustment and operation. |
| Quick Hitches for Compact Utility Tractors Many implements are available for rear mounting on compact utility tractors, including mowers of various types, tillers, angle blades, box blades, cultivators, bedders and rakes. These machines add versatility to your tractor, but mounting them to the tractor’s 3-point hitch can be a hassle. A quick hitch can make your job much easier. |
| Safety Standards for Riding Mowers and Small Tractors Riding mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, and garden tractors are covered by several safety standards that are designed to protect you, the operator. |
| How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Quality Versus Price Do you get what you pay for when buying a mowing tractor? There is certainly a wide range of prices; in fact, you can easily pay twice as much for a lawn tractor at a major farm equipment dealer as you would pay for a lawn tractor with the same horsepower and mowing width at a discount store. What do you get for the additional money? |
| Mowers for Compact Utility Tractors Mowing grass is the most popular way that homeowners use compact utility tractors. Different types of mowers serve different purposes, and you should choose the correct mower for your needs. |
| Preventing Overturns with Riding Mowers and Lawn/Garden Tractors You might think that riding mowers and lawn/garden tractors are small and low to the ground so overturns are not a problem. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Riding mowers and small tractors can overturn to the side or rear fairly easily. |
| How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Hitches Implements, including mower decks, can be attached to tractors in several ways and in several locations. The larger the implement and tractor, the more likely an upscale, easy-to-use hitch will be provided. Naturally, the upscale hitch systems cost more. |
| Websites for Compact Utility Tractors The World Wide Web is a great source of information on many subjects, including tractors. |
| Old Farm Tractors as Alternatives to Compact Utility Tractors Although there are some imported compact tractors available under $10,000, most compact tractors from major manufacturers are in the $10,000 – $20,000 range. Older farm tractors can be a less expensive alternative to compact tractors. |
| Safe Operation of Riding Mowers and Lawn/Garden Tractors Riding mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, and garden tractors are large and powerful. They can be dangerous if not used safely. |
| How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Power To Implements A mower deck can’t cut grass unless it is connected to the tractor engine. This is usually done in one of two ways, with some possible permutations. |
| Alternative to Hard Chrome for Hydraulic Cylinder Rods Hydraulic cylinder rods have traditionally been coated with highly polished hard chrome. This surface provides reasonable corrosion resistance and good sealing in hydraulic cylinders, but the material can corrode. An alternate approach now used on some new equipment, including loader cylinders on compact tractors, is a sprayed-on tungsten carbide coating. |
| Sealants for Tractor and Equipment Tires If you have frequent flat tires on tractors, implements, or other off-road equipment you might want to consider using a tire sealant. |
| Protective Sleeves for Hydraulic Hoses Hydraulic hoses can be a weak link in your tractor’s hydraulic system. The exposed hoses are very vulnerable to wear – and thus leakage and failure. Nylon sleeves over the hoses can dramatically increase hose life. |
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