Smaller Tractors

Deciding between a compact and subcompact tractor for your horse property often comes down to your budget and required tasks that will take power from the engine and transmit it to an attached implement via the power takeoff (PTO).

“Subcompact utility tractors are the smallest class of tractors, which usually have less than 20 PTO horsepower and are normally used with 4-foot implements,” says Jeremy Linder, general manager of Ag-Bag Forage Solutions in Astoria, Ore. “Compact utility tractors have a broader definition, but they usually have 20 to 40 PTO horsepower and are capable of running larger 5-foot or 6-foot implements. For a lot of consumers, it’s about the tradeoff between the purchase cost of the equipment and time. The smaller subcompacts can accomplish the same tasks, but they won’t be as efficient as the larger compacts.”

A subcompact is just a little larger than the biggest lawn tractors, but it has a diesel engine and a three-point hitch, according to Mike Wiles, who is known as “Tractor Mike” on his YouTube channel, which targets safety and education for those just starting out with tractors. “They’re nice for smaller properties of 5 acres or less, work great in tight quarters and can be stored in the corner of a garage. A subcompact is a good first step to entering tractor ownership, but a number of them get traded for larger ones down the line.”

Is Bigger Better?

Compact tractors come in several sizes. While some manufacturers simply refer to all the different sizes as a compact utility tractor, others break down the sizes into small-frame compacts, mid-size compacts and full-size compacts. Wiles recommends that you get the biggest tractor you can afford.

Linder agrees, to a point.

“We try to match the equipment to the operation, but when there’s doubt, we recommend going larger,” he says. “We rarely have a customer that regrets buying a larger tractor to start, but we commonly have customers upgrading to a larger unit a few years down the road. We advise our customers to buy their second tractor first.”

Horsepower Points

How much horsepower do you really need? The short answer is you need enough to power your implements. If you buy a tractor for horse property at the bottom of the horsepower range, it may strain to complete everyday tasks, which can cause your tractor to break down and cause frequent, expensive repairs.

The more horsepower a compact tractor has, the more you can pull and haul. Therefore, choose horsepower based on your tasks, the implements required to complete those tasks, and how quickly you want to get those tasks done.

In Wiles’ experience, the implement that trips more people up is the brush hog, or rotary cutter.

“New customers will purchase a 35-horsepower tractor, which seems big, and a 6-foot cutter, he says. “But a couple of years down the line, they decide they want to get their pastures mowed quicker and want a 12-foot batwing cutter and discover they don’t have enough power to pull it. Also, if you have any thoughts of putting up hay later, you definitely want a larger tractor. Disc mowers and round balers require a lot of horsepower.”

Horsepower and Tractor Weight

When comparing horsepower, remember that engine horsepower and PTO horsepower aren’t the same things. Engine horsepower is the power a tractor has without anything connected to it, while PTO horsepower is what’s available to operate implements. Always make sure the tractor has enough PTO horsepower to work with.

“Any PTO-powered implement will have a required horsepower and that refers to PTO horsepower, not the engine horsepower,” says Wiles.

Still, there’s more to safe operation, warns Linder.

“Horsepower alone shouldn’t drive the decision toward a specific model, because the weight of the tractor is just as important,” he says. “If you need a tractor that can safely move 1,000 pounds, don’t buy something that can’t. A larger implement will require more horsepower and more weight to operate safely. For example, a subcompact has enough horsepower to operate a 5-foot rotary cutter, but it isn’t heavy enough to do it safely.”

Safety First

No matter what size and type of compact tractor you end up buying, always put safety first. Even small tractors can be dangerous, maybe even more so. Compact tractors are smaller and lighter weight, which makes them easier to operate, but also puts you at greater risk, especially from rollovers due to heavy loads that make the tractor top-heavy.

“Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, especially to new operators,” Wiles warns. “If you’ve never operated a tractor and are buying your first one, get tractor operational safety training before you ever get in the seat and turn the key.”
Visit www.youtube.com/tractormike to see his safety video playlist.

Adding Implements Even if you don’t think you need any attachments for your tractor now, you should buy a model that’s compatible with a variety of implements you may need later. Some common implements used by horse owners include: ◆ Rotary mower ◆ Arena groomer ◆ Post-hole digger ◆ Blades for dirt road leveling and snow removal ◆ Manure spreader “If you’re buying a new tractor, always get a front-end loader with it,” says tractor expert Mike Wiles of the Tractor Mike YouTube channel. “You’ll use it more than you think, and the resale value will more than justify the expense. After that, most tractors get sold with brush hogs for mowing pastures. If you have a gravel driveway, get a box blade to keep the crown down, and in areas that get some snow, but not a lot, get an angle blade to move it off the driveway. Those are good to start with.”

This article about tractors for horse property originally appeared in the September 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Selecting the Perfect Tractor for Horse Property appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Read for tips on barn equipment maintenance.

While you may know exactly how to get yourself and your horse in shape and ready for springtime activities, there’s another area of barn life that requires your post-winter attention: your farm machines and barn equipment.

Whether it’s a small tractor, ATV, UTV, garden tractor, towing vehicle, or trailer, there’s a good chance that your barn equipment needs a little work and maintenance after sitting idle for several months. If this is the case, then get started with this handy list of tips.

Horse Trailer

Even though you may only use your horse trailer a handful of times during the year, it’s still important to make sure it’s safe and well-maintained as part of your barn equipment maintenance plan. Here are some of the main points to check.

Tires: Odds are the cold temperatures of winter (and the weeks of sitting unused) have caused the air pressure in your horse trailer tires to drop considerably, so a basic check of the PSI of each one is in order. Consult your trailer’s manual or information labels for the exact PSI settings required, and then use an air compressor or inflator to top off each tire. While you’re at it, visually inspect each tire for cracks and general wear. Even if your horse trailer doesn’t get a lot of mileage each year, the very act of sitting unused can cause sidewall cracking; this is especially true if the trailer sits in direct sunlight. Also check tread depth to make sure the tires still have proper traction.

Lights: Brake lights, turn signals, running lights—all of these need to be checked and in working order long before you leave the driveway, with any non-working lights replaced. Now is also a good a time to double-check the wiring that connects your trailer to the tow vehicle. And don’t forget about those handy little interior lights that make working after dark so much easier.

Brakes: Horse trailers are heavy—especially when filled with several thousand pounds of horses! Therefore, working trailer brakes are a safety essential, since the brakes on the towing vehicle aren’t sufficient for such a large load. If you’re unsure of how to check brakes, have a professional inspect them.

Breakaway chains: In the unlikely event that your horse trailer was to come loose from the hitch, the breakaway chains ensure that the trailer remains connected to the frame of the vehicle. Needless to say, keeping these chains in good condition is very important, so give the chains and their connections a once-over prior to hitting the road.

Breakaway battery: In the very unlikely event that both your trailer hitch and the breakaway chains were to fail simultaneously, the breakaway battery would instantly activate the trailer’s built-in brakes. However, breakaway batteries need maintenance, too, so follow the instructions in your trailer’s manual.

Floor boards: Before hitting the road for a busy season of hauling to shows or trail rides, pull the rubber mats off the trailer floor and give the floorboards a thorough inspection for wear or cracks. Boards need to be sturdy and free of rot to support a horse’s weight. This is also a great time to clean under the mats.

License plate: If your trailer hasn’t been in use for a while, the license plate (or sticker) might be expired, so check before driving anywhere.

Clean up: Even if you put the trailer away clean, odds are that bits of leaves and debris have cluttered up the trailer over the winter, so pulling it out into the sunshine for a wash is probably a good idea. You can also wax the trailer to help protect it from rust.

Tractors, Lawn Tractors, ATVs, and UTVs

Small machines might seem simple, but there are a surprising number of maintenance points that need to be checked before these machines are ready to go for the year. Luckily, most of these tasks are pretty simple and within the range of the average DIYer.

Battery: If the winter was long and cold and you left the battery in the machine, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t have enough power to start the engine. No worries—throwing it on a charger for a few hours should get it ready to go.

Fuel filters: No matter how careful you are during refueling, sediments still slowly find a way into your machine’s fuel system where they can build up in fuel lines or carburetors. The engine’s fuel filter helps prevent this, but it needs replacing now and then; spring is a good time.

Air filters: Farm and stable work can be dusty, but your tractor’s engine needs plenty of clean air to do its job properly; the air filters help catch contaminants before they can reach the engine. Your air filter may need to be cleaned or changed several times throughout the year, depending on the environmental conditions it’s used in, but starting off with a fresh filter in the spring is a good idea. ATVs and UTVs are particularly prone to dust problems due to the types of environments they often run in.

Spark plugs: Is your small machine difficult to start? Does it backfire occasionally? Then try swapping out those old spark plugs for a fresh set—it’s inexpensive, easy to do, and in many cases a simple fix for this common problem.

Lubrication: Nothing dries up grease fittings on a machine like an idle winter season in the shed. Greasing all necessary fittings is a prime springtime task.

Coolant: These machines work hard, and they get hot doing it. Be sure to check (and possibly change) the coolant in your engine before doing any jobs.

Engine oil: Admit it—you didn’t change the oil last year before putting the machine away, did you? No problem—just be sure to do this critical task now before the busy season starts. Put on a new oil filter as well, and then follow the timeline given in your machine’s manual for checking and changing the oil throughout the year.

Hydraulic/transmission oil: Check your machine’s manual to see if changing these oils (they’re likely the same thing) is an annual task. If so, go ahead and do it now. Otherwise, just perform a check to be sure that the level is at the right mark.

Lawnmower blades: Mowing is essential for keeping the stable areas and property looking great, so make sure to sharpen the lawnmower blades in the spring so that the cut is smooth and even.

ATV/UTV drive chains or belts: Check the chain or belt for wear and replace if needed, and for ATV users, keep the chain properly lubricated throughout the year.

Daniel Johnson is a freelance writer and professional photographer. He’s the author of several books, including How to Raise Horses: Everything You Need to Know (Voyageur Press, 2014). Dan’s barn is home to Summer, a Welsh/TB cross, Orion, a Welsh Cob, and Mati and Amos, both Welsh Mountain Ponies. You can view Dan’s photography work at www.foxhillphoto.com.

This article about barn equipment maintenance originally appeared in the March 2018 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Barn Equipment Tune-up appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.