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Terrance Emerson

Muted Backlit Silhouette of Two Tractors Raking Soil

Tractor Survey – Tractor Specs

Orchard & Vine Readers Talk Tractors

There’s only one thing on the farm that rivals your human assets in terms of importance, and that is the tractor.

From tilling the soil, to hauling your sprayer, to moving equipment, to harvesting your crops, the ubiquitous tractor is by far the most important investment most farmers will ever make into the equipment for their business.

And these days, the decision on which tractor to buy becomes both more attractive and more difficult than ever, as advancements in technology now offer an almost bewildering array of options and priorities.

In recent years tractor manufacturers have developed environmentally sustainable engines, such as this year’s New Holland methane-powered model that won Sustainable Tractor of the Year at Agritechnica. Many companies are also diving into the area of automation, right up to fully automated ‘robotic’ tractors that can be programmed to work with no driver on board.

Safety improvements are another major area of improvement for manufacturers, and for good reason. Rollovers and other tractor-related accidents remain one of the major contributors to workplace accidents in agriculture, and for this reason safety improvements such as automatic obstacle detection or anti-rollover features are driving fundamental change in design.

According to our survey results a large percentage of farmers in our reading area are actively looking for new tractors this year, and more than half are shopping around for new implements to attach to their tractors.  

And that’s why, every year, we dedicate one issue to the topic of tractors, providing information and specifications on a wide range of the best tractor brands designed for orchardists and vineyards. If you are looking for a tractor now or in the new future, we hope this issue will help clarify your decisions.

Safety Tips

  • Conduct a pre shift inspection
  • Use a Roll Over Protective System (ROPS) and seat belt
  • Conduct a thorough risk assessment for the tractor, implement and tasks
  •  Keep loads low when travelling
  • Always keep an eye out for pedestrians, do not move tractor without eye to eye contact with pedestrian
  • No extra riders on tractor, bucket, or forks
  • Follow recommended hitching procedures and weight limits
  • Turn on level ground whenever possible
  •  Stay away from soft shoulders
  •  Ensure brakes are in good condition and properly locked for high speeds
  • Use a Slow Moving Vehicle sign and Roll Over Protective System on public roads
  • Ensure loads are properly secured
  • Disengage PTO, turn off tractor and set brake before leaving tractor seat
  •  Read and observe the safety recommendations and precautions found in the owners manual

Tractor Specs