Farm Tractor

 

A tractor (from Latin trahere "to pull"; a conflicting history of the name is that steam tractors were originally referred to as traction engines, eventually becoming a contraction of 'traction' and 'motor') is a self-propelled power unit having wheels or tracks intended for drawing, towing or pulling something which cannot propel itself and, often, powering it too. Most commonly the word is used to describe a vehicle intended for such a task on some other vehicle or object.

In Britain and India the word "tractor" usually means "farm tractor".

The most common use of the term tractor is for the vehicles used on farms. The farm tractor is used for pulling or pushing agricultural machinery or trailers, for plowing, tilling, disking, harrowing, planting, and similar tasks. Tractors engine is used as a prime mover for active tools and stationary farm machinery through power take-off shaft (PTO) or belt pulley.

The first mechanized farm implements in the 1800's and early 1900's were steam tractors. These were built around steam engines, which were not very safe and could explode or entangle their operators in the belt driven attachments. These machines were phased out during the 1920s in favour of the increasingly popular internal combustion engine.

The word tractor appeared first on record in a patent issued on a tractor or traction engine invented by George H. Harris of Chicago in 1980. In 1906 gasoline tractor was introduced by Charles W. Hart and Charles H. Parr of Charles City, lowa (48 A). First Winnipeg tractor trials were held in 1908. In 1911, first tractor demonstration was held at Omaha (Nebraska). Power take-off was introduced for the first time between the period 1915-1919. An all purpose tractor was developed in 1920-1924.In 1936-1937 for the first time diesel engine was used in tractor and pneumatic tires were introduced.  Further developments led to the introduction of hydraulic controls and three point linkage in 1937-1941. Extensive production of diesel engines based tractors started in 1950.

The classic farm tractor is a simple open vehicle with two very large driving wheels on an axle below and slightly behind a single seat (the seat and steering wheel consequently are in the center) and the engine in front of the driver with two steerable wheels below the engine compartment. This basic design has remained unchanged for a number of years, but enclosed cabs are fitted on almost all modern models, for reasons of operator safety and comfort.

There are also lawn tractors. John Deer, Toro and Husqvarna are famous brands who make them.

Lawn tractors are often used for big jobs with the ability to carry heavy packages, depending on the model, or just by joining an attachment; this is the best tool for your yard. A lawn tractor usually has a powerful engine with which improves the smoothness and performance of the tractor under load. This guarantees sufficient power for operating larger attachments. With an automatic transmission for tractors that allow continuous variable speed control in forward and reverse gear, there is no need to shift gears, focusing on the manual task of the hands.

Most lawn tractors are capable of handling different jobs plugging in special attachments such as :
 

Backhoes, which are able to dig depths of 8-1/2 feet and 180º swing rotation.

  

Loaders. Work with lawn tractors in order to lift up weight. Let the tractor hydraulics do the work, and manage that work just by handling a right-hand joystick. Optional loader attachments like blading, scraping or grappling are also available.

 

Rear-Mount Rotary Mower. Similarities with riding lawnmower are here with this feature. Differences between the two machines ( riding-on and tractors ) are the ability to mow a width of 72-inches but just mows 2-5 inches tall.

 

Tillers. Maybe the best solution for harvest together with loaders for the lawn tractors. The tiller is raised and lowered by the use of tractor hydraulic lift for the operator's convenience. Actually some manufacturers implement commercial-duty tillers in order to till between 50-inch to 90-inch.

(Pictures Courtsey: John Deere)

 

Important features for lawn tractors

Facility and ease of use are turning work into recreation. Lawn tractors must have a wide-open step-through platform to leave more room for the operator. This will give you a more comfortable ride . To make these more versatile, a variety of popular rear-hitch implemented options like rotary cutters, tillers, blades, and rakes should also be available. Reliability, when it comes to sheer ability to work. The best is to have a high level diesel engine which really gets the job done. This, together with a very good tractor suspension system, will keep tires firmly on the turf. Of course, as far as lawn mower safety is concerned, it is also important to keep safety always in your mind when riding lawn tractors.