It ’s impressive how much big businessman and versatility can be packed into comparatively low tractors . subcompact car utility tractor and garden tractor often gasconade engine horsepower in the 20 - 25 range . They can be used with a wide range of adhesion and implements to expatiate their capability . But there ’s an important ( and occasionally overlooked ) gradation in maximizing the execution ofsmall tractor . You have to make certain your tractor has enough adhesive friction to put that power to use .
Power Needs Traction
Let me give you a couple of lesson . On a recent day of baling hay , my small team encountered a setback when one of our haywagons suffer a break in the steering mechanics . hightail it shortly of meter with evening rain in the forecast , I fired up my garden tractor and used mytrusty red wagonto first fetching Basle off the field .
The ruby-red station waggon is n’t immense ( with a bed assess 4 metrical foot by 8 invertebrate foot ) , but I was able-bodied to pack 19 Basel at a clock time into sturdy loads . confound in the weight of the wagon , and I was probably asking the garden tractor to tow somewhere around 750 pound .
That ’s a big load for a little tractor . But my garden tractor rise to the challenge practically without deform .
The violent wagon has a single axle ( it ’s really a cart even though I call it a coaster wagon ) , so all the weight in front of the axle was transferring to the rear hitch of the garden tractor . This pushed down on the drive wheels and increased their traction .
shed in the handy differential curl ( which allows me to push both drive wheels to manoeuvre in unison when mount one myopic side ) , and the garden tractor was able to get the grip it needed to tow the payload without issuance .
Read more : A differential curl can really get you out of trouble .
A Lack of Traction
This stands in stark contrast to preceding experience with my smaller lawn tractor . It ’s primarily design for mowing grass . While I on a regular basis use it to haul about 300 pound of water around my plantation , it ’s really too little and lightweight for heavy - duty job .
For model , when tow an essentially empty red station wagon , my lawn tractor is ineffectual to climb one unconscionable slope behind my family . Why ? Well , there is n’t enough weightiness weigh down on the drive wheel to make worthy traction . Also , the lawn tractor lacks a differential lock , so it wind up with one steering wheel digging in and the other spinning impotently .
It ’s worth reiterate that the lawn tractor ’s inability to pull the empty wagon up a slope has nothing to do with military posture . It ’s all about lack of traction . This can be further exacerbated by challenging basis condition such as sparkler or snow .
Increasing adhesive friction is critical if you want to use your small tractor to plow snow or exponent a snow blower attachment .
show more : maximise your tires for winter on the farm .
Improving Traction
So how can you improve the traction ( and thus carrying into action ) of a small tractor ? You have a few options .
Towing a single - axle pushcart like my red beach wagon ? arrange weight in front of the axle ( so weight is transfer to the drive wheel of your tractor ) can forge great . You could also set up wheel weights on the drive bike of your tractor .
And in winter , tire chainscan piece of work wonders .
Depending on how you primarily use your minuscule tractor , you might also consider changing the tires . Lawn and garden tractor often follow with R3 greensward tire that are kind on lawns , but less aggressive in generating grip . R1 agricultural tires or R4 industrial tires can often a public presentation rise , so long as you ’re not too concerned about damaging your lawn .
One final thought . Stay realistic about the tasks you take on with your small tractor . I would n’t enquire my garden tractor to pull a hay wagon loaded with 100 bales even under perfect traction conditions . I do n’t need to crusade the locomotive engine and contagion beyond their means .
But so long as you keep your expectation naturalistic and address the interrogative of adhesive friction , you might be surprised how well small tractor can treat the jobs you project at them .
