Tractor Buying Checklist

If you’re in the market for a new tractor, there are many different factors to consider. From functionality to the final purchase price, it’s important to check all the right boxes. To help ensure you have everything accounted for, use this helpful tractor buying checklist. It covers everything you need to know to find your ideal machine.

Tractor Buying Checklist: 10 Factors to Consider

When you’re equipped with the right knowledge, purchasing your perfect tractor is easy. As you start to shop around, keep these 10 key factors to consider in mind.

Reputation

There’s no shortage of tractor manufacturers to choose from. Before you go straight to the most well-known brand names, do some research to find out if their recognition matches their reputation. One of the best things to evaluate is how the manufacturer is perceived within their own industry. For example, Yanmar has been rated #1 in product quality by the Equipment Dealers Association for the last five years in a row.

Warranty

When you buy a tractor, you should have peace of mind it’s built to be durable and reliable for many years to come. You can quickly tell if a manufacturer stands behind their product by reviewing the warranty terms. In the case of Yanmar, no other warranty in the industry comes close. All new tractors are backed by a 10-year limited powertrain warranty that covers all major components.

Owner Support

Will the tractor manufacturer you choose be there to support you for the long run? Or do they just want to take your money and move on? Whether you have questions about the operator’s manual or are seeking advice on how to tackle certain jobs, you should be building a relationship, not just a transaction. 

At Yanmar, we have a dedicated Customer Experience Team to help you every step of the way. It doesn’t matter if you’ve owned one of our tractors for 20 years or are just looking, we’re committed to providing the best customer service in the industry.

Land Size

The size of your property plays a critical role in selecting the right tractor. If you only have a handful of acres, a sub-compact tractor like the Yanmar SA Series will often serve you better. The smaller size makes them easy to navigate in tight spaces, but they still have the power you need to handle heavy lifting. 

Those with larger parcels probably want a more powerful model like the YT3 or YM Series. Their stature allows you to cover more ground and work more efficiently across your acreage.

Land Use

Another important factor in buying a tractor is how you plan to use your land both now and in the future. What you need for clearing brush can be very different from maintaining a hobby farm. To help execute your vision, try the Yanmar Landowner’s Planner. It has worksheets and exercises that will help determine what kind of landowner you are and the tools you need to get started.

Maintenance Needs

Regular maintenance is essential to getting the most out of your tractor. Though many of the day-to-day upkeep can be handled fairly easily, it never hurts to have a trusted service partner nearby. Authorized Yanmar dealers are trained at the Yanmar//Academy to get hands-on experiences in repair, diagnostics, maintenance, customer service, sales, and sustainability.

Safety Features

As with any type of heavy machinery, safety should always be a top priority in your tractor. Fortunately, most modern machines come equipped with essentials like a rollover protection structure (ROPS), seat belts, and work lights. All of these help minimize your risk and allow you to operate your tractor for long hours without concern.

Horsepower

Even if you have all the bells and whistles, they don’t mean much without the performance to back them up. You’ll hear a lot about horsepower, but what does it really mean? In simple terms, horsepower is what moves the tractor forward and helps pull and lift heavy objects. As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to have an overpowered machine than underpowered. More horsepower means more options as you grow into your land.

Transmission

Your tractor’s transmission type makes a big difference in ease of use. Most modern tractors – including those from Yanmar – use the latest technologies to simplify operations. Features to look for include clutchless shifting, repeatable operating speeds, and throttle boost that can change engine speed without changing ground speed. Such advanced features will simplify your work and make your time more efficient.

Available Attachments

The best way to enhance the productivity of your tractor is through attachments and implements. Want to streamline your planting in the spring? The Four-In-One Planting Toolkit lets you till, raise and shape beds, lay mulch, and lay drip tube all in one pass. Thinking about producing your own hay to feed your livestock? The round baler makes compact, manageable bales that can be moved by hand. Whatever your needs are, make sure the tractor you choose has the attachments to support them.

Try the Yanmar Custom Tractor Builder

If the wheels are turning and you’re ready to start exploring different tractor options, start with the Yanmar Custom Tractor Builder. This free tool allows you to create the tractor you’ve always dreamed of. From accessories to tire tread, everything can be configured to your liking. Once you’ve built your perfect tractor, you’ll receive a quote for MSRP and our team will work to find it available at a dealer near you.

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