What do you need to know on how tractors work?
- Reasons why tractors were invented
- Purpose of a tractor on a farm
- How a tractor pulls attachments and implements
- Other important parts of a tractor
- How a tractor is operated
Tractors are one of the most useful machinery used by farmers, but they’re also found in construction, road building, etc. They were designed specifically for use off the road, in rough terrain such as farm fields! Armed with a powerful engine and tough tires, this vehicle is a piece of crucial equipment for farmers, as it can help with various tasks — such as leveling the land, preparing the soil for planting, harvesting crops, and many more. If you’re interested, keep on reading to know about how do tractors work.
Reasons Why Tractors Were Invented
To understand how tractors work, it’s beneficial to first learn why they were invented. They were originally made to replace working animals in the field. Back then, oxen and horses were being used to pull carts and plows.
This inspired Henry Ford, an American industrialist, to make something better for heavy farm work. Henry Ford was determined to make a steam engine that would be capable of pulling a plow or running an ordinary wagon.
Animals could get exhausted, so this means that work doesn’t last for very long when people had animals pull equipment. But because a tractor runs on an engine, farmers can increase production capacity. This is why a tractor is one of the most important pieces of machinery on a modern farm.
Purpose Of A Tractor On A Farm
A tractor can help with various farm tasks, lessening the labor for farmers and improving efficiency. This is usually achieved through attachments and implements that can perform a certain job. Below are just some things a tractor can help with:
- Use a front-end loader to push dirt, which could be useful for making paths, laying down weed mats, etc. The loader can also be used to scoop up manure.
- Plowing of soil to prepare it for seeds or planting.
- Tilling of soil using a disc harrow before planting the crops.
- Planting different types of crops by using the right planter implement.
- Harvesting crops through the use of special kinds of harvesters.
How A Tractor Pulls Attachments And Implements
Although modern tractors are much more sophisticated, their main job is still to pull things. But these can also power implements to make work easier in the field. Below is an overview of how this works:
- Drawbar: A drawbar is a sturdy steel rod that ensures a secure and flexible link for a tractor and the attachment. It’s used to pull things that don’t require lifting — like trailers or wagons.
- Hitch: A hitch can attach an implement in three places securely. There is a central link and two hydraulically powered lift arms that can be used to lower and raise an implement — like a plow.
- Power Take-Off: A power take-off, which is a rotating shaft found at the back of a tractor, can power implements or machines. The PTO takes the power from the tractor’s engine and powers implements and machinery. Tractors that are pulling powered machinery run slowly, because some of the engine power is into the pulled equipment.
Modern farm tractors are built with around 300 to 500 horsepower to get enough torque to do the job properly, considering the weight of the implement attached to the tractor.
Other Important Parts Of A Tractor
Other than the parts that are used for pulling and powering implements, a tractor is also made of several important parts:
- Engine: Most tractors are powered by diesel engines, which explain the high pulling power. But there are also tractors with gasoline and LPG powered engines.
- Tires and Wheels: Tractors have large tires that are capable of going off-road. Typically, tractors use a two-wheel drive — the rear wheels are operated from the engine, while the front wheels are utilized for steering.
- Rollover Protection System (ROPS): ROPS are designed to add a protective zone on an operator when a tractor rollover occurs. It can also limit the degree of the rollover to reduce damages put on the tractor.
How A Tractor Is Operated
A tractor requires professional driving skills since they’re heavy and are often operated on unstable ground. It requires training, so an operator can fully understand what safety precautions to follow and how to reduce the risk of accidents. It helps to be familiar with the operator’s manual to learn the purpose of all the controls. A safety check is also required before operating the tractor.
Key Takeaway
Tractors are essential to farmers because they can help out lessen the physical labor and make farm tasks more efficient. With a tractor, a farmer can do more work in less time.
If you’re interested in learning how do tractors work, you can send us a message here at Ford Tractor! We can help you understand how this piece of farm machinery can be beneficial for your business. Other than high-quality and powerful tractors, we also carry plenty of attachments and implements that can be useful for various farm tasks.
