As farming practices are advancing day by day, so is the farming equipment, especially tractors. New models and types of tractors that are being introduced every year, make it difficult for customers, beginner or experienced, to choose the best one.
Focusing on the most critical features of the tractor is the best method to select the ideal piece of equipment for your needs and your property. One of the most important factors to consider while purchasing a tractor is horsepower. Horsepower indicates the work potential of a tractor’s engine. Here are some tips that will show you how to figure out how much horsepower your tractor needs.
What is Horsepower?
The amount of power produced by an engine to execute various processes is referred to as horsepower. Find out the Power Take-Off (PTO) horsepower, not simply the engine horsepower, if you want to buy anything other than a lawn or garden tractor. There are two types of horsepower in a tractor: Engine Horsepower and PTO (Power-take-off) Horsepower. While engine horsepower indicates the amount of power produced by an engine, the amount of power available to run the various implements like a bush hog is referred to as PTO horsepower.
Types of Tractors
Compact tractors, utility tractors, and farm tractors are the three primary types of tractors. Compact tractors or compact utility tractors are tractors made for small farms. A compact tractor with 25 horsepower (hp) will be perfect for you if you have a half-acre property and want to use your tractor solely for mowing. They are designed to be used with mowers and have light material handling equipment. They are simple to operate and can be stored in a garage or shed due to their small size. However, consider buying a compact tractor with 25 to 45 horsepower if you want to use your tractor for mowing as well as other basic farming jobs like manure management.
Look for a utility tractor if you have ten acres or more, or if you’ll be going over moderate or tough terrain. They have a full frame and heavy-duty construction. Utility tractors also feature a stronger lift capability and additional gearbox and hydraulics. They generally have horsepower ranging from 45 to 85 and are more suited to accessories such as rakes, scrapers, and spreaders. Also, engines have more power, frame sizes are larger, and hydraulic flow is higher in utility tractors.
Finally, farm or row crop tractors which have 85 to 450 horsepower are the sole options for full-time farmers with big land plots and tough terrain. These tractors can perform various farming tasks including weed control, leveling, plowing, harrowing, and pulling seed drills. They are, of course, the largest and most costly tractors, and are equipped with high-end components that offer comfy seating, heating, and air conditioning.
How much Horsepower is Enough?
The size of the land and the farm applications influence the selection of horsepower. A low horsepower tractor is required if you have a small field and minimal operations. But you will need a large horsepower tractor for large acreage and heavy farm applications.
It is also important to know the PTO horsepower apart from the engine horsepower. Depending on the terrain you work on, the PTO also varies. When it comes to hilly or weedy terrain, a high PTO is essential as HP gets depleted on such tough terrains. But the differentiating engine and PTO horsepower may be a tough task. For instance, a tractor with a high engine horsepower may only have a minimum PTO horsepower. So, you must know to check both of these ratings or you could end up with a tractor that is not powerful enough to meet your needs. It is always advised to contact your Mahindra, Bad boy, or any other tractor dealer and get proper details of the horsepower.
In short, we would advise you not to get any tractor below 25 horsepower. Find a tractor with 25 to 30 horsepower if you need to undertake simple mowing on flat terrain. If you need something more powerful for plowing, go for anything in the 45 to 85 horsepower range. A row crop tractor is likely the finest option for full-scale farming. Always consider the factors given below before choosing the tractor:
- Landholding: If you follow a single cropping pattern, one horsepower per hectare of land is usually recommended. To be precise, one tractor with 20-25 horsepower is appropriate for a 20-hectare farm.
- Cropping pattern: In places where suitable irrigation facilities are provided and more than one crop is grown, less than 1.0 hectare/hp is recommended. A 30-35 horsepower tractor will be sufficient for a 25-hectare farm.
- Soil condition: In lighter soil, a tractor with a shorter wheelbase, higher ground clearance, and a lower total weight may be appropriate. But in black cotton soil, it will not be able to provide sufficient depth.
- Climatic condition: Air-cooled engines are favored over water-cooled engines in extremely hot zones and desert environments. Similarly, air-cooled engines are favored at higher altitudes because water might freeze at higher altitudes.
- Test report: Test reports of tractors released from farm machinery testing stations should be consulted for guidance on the horsepower of the tractor.
Purchase the Best Tractor
If you are in search of an appropriate tractor for your farming activities, visit Diamond B. Tractors & Equipment. We are one of the best tractor dealers in Texas that offers its customers quality tractor parts and accessories.
Mahindra tractor parts are one of the best in the market, and our expert team helps you customize your equipment based on your needs. We offer all kinds of assistance in purchasing tractors and can help you choose the one that best suits you.