Living on a homestead allows you to be more self-sufficient, but this freedom often comes at a cost. For example, preppers and homesteaders who live off-grid often spend a lot of their time doing various tasks, like gardening and clearing trails.
If this sounds familiar, you might want to get a new or used tractor to save time while doing chores around your homestead. (h/t to Survivopedia.com)
Here are 10 reasons to consider buying a new or used compact tractor.
For handling material
A compact tractor comes with a loader that can be used to move large quantities of material like compost, gravel soil, rocks, soil and other things you might have to move around on your property.
A front-end loader is a godsend if you often find yourself dealing with various back-breaking tasks. A tractor can also help you save money for outside labor costs.
For landscape work
If you have many ongoing landscaping projects, invest in a compact tractor that will help you save money on landscaping for a new or existing property.
Get different attachments if you're working on a complex landscape project.
Garden tilling
With a tractor and tiller, it will be easier to prepare your garden or expand it. Get the right implements for chores like spring preparation or fall clean-up.
Preparing food plots
If needed, you can also use a tractor to create and maintain various wildlife food plots to attract deer to your property.
Use the compact tractor to make your property a good place for hunting or animal viewing. You will need attachments like discs, multipacks or small plows to prepare food plots.
To spread seeds and fertilizer, get a three-point rotary spreader.
Posthole work
A tractor with a three-point auger attachment is useful for posthole work so you can save time while putting in a new fence or building a pole shed.
If your budget is tight or you're only working on a one-time project, rent a posthole auger from a rental facility.
Maintaining your driveway
Regardless of the season, it's important to keep your driveway in good driving condition to prevent accidents. With the right implements like back blades mounted on the three-point hitch, you can use a tractor to maintain your driveway.
Use a box scraper attachment to level or backfill low areas.
Maintaining stables and livestock enclosures
If you raise livestock, you can easily maneuver a compact tractor inside buildings to clean out stalls or stables.
Additionally, a tractor loader can be used to move manure piles. If you have a manure spreader, you can save time and fertilize your fields easily.
Hay production
To save money, use your tractor to bale your hay with hay implements for your compact tractor.
Clearing trails and brush mowing
A compact tractor comes with a heavy-duty mower that can be used to open trails through the woods or clear fields with overgrown brush or weeds.
Pair your tractor with a rough-cut mower so you can take down saplings and brush up to one inch in diameter and keep your property maintained.
Snow removal
If you live in an area where snow can be a problem, you can use a tractor with front and rear snow blowers attached to the power take-off of the tractor to easily clear snow. (Related: Survival essentials: 9 Off-grid appliances for your homestead.)
Tips for buying a used tractor
If you can't afford a new tractor, get a used one instead.
Getting a used tractor comes with some benefits, such as being less expensive than a new tractor. You can even get a used tractor that performs well and has features improving its efficiency from reputable sellers.
If you purchase a used tractor, you can skip a loan approval and the registration process.
Just make sure you know what to look for when getting a used tractor:
- Avoid tractors with peeling paint, dents and weathered, bulging or cracked tires because these are signs that a tractor was stored outside. Depending on the type of tractor, replacing those tires could cost as much as $30,000.
- Conduct both a visual and operational inspection of the articulation point. This is the major moving part of a tractor and it should always be greased.
- Check for signs of leaks from the engine, hoses or hydraulics, and any cracked or worn hydraulic, coolant or fuel lines.
- Find the engine plate and check for the amount of horsepower. Make sure that the engine meets emission standards for your jurisdiction.
- If you find a used tractor that fits your needs, ask the seller for maintenance logs, inspection lists, work orders and other supporting documents so you can find out how often and what types of repairs were performed.
Invest in a compact tractor for your homestead if you frequently find yourself doing a lot of labor-intensive work on your property.
Watch the video below for more tips on how to use a tractor on a homestead farm.
This video is from the Pigeon River Farm channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
5 Machines preppers need in their homestead before disaster strikes.
Homesteading 101: How to set up a farm in your bug-out location.
Homeowner tips: 5 Challenges you may face in a rural homestead.
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