Introduction

• Farm tractor is a self-propelled power unit having wheels or tracks for operating agricultural implements and machines including trailers.
• Tractor engine is used as a prime mover for active tools and stationary farm machinery through power take-off shaft (PTO) or belt pulley.

Types of farm tractor

A) Based on Structural-design:

(i) Wheel tractor:

• Tractors, having three of four pneumatic wheels are called wheel tractors.
• Four-wheel tractors are most popular everywhere.

(ii) Crawler tractor:

• This is also called track type tractor or chain type tractor.
• In such tractors, there is endless chain or track in place of pneumatic wheels.

(iii) Walking tractor (Power tiller):

• Power tiller is a walking type tractor.
• This tractor is usually fitted with two wheels only.
• The direction of travel and its controls for field operation is performed by the operator, walking behind the tractor.

B) Based on purpose:

(a) General purpose tractor:

• It is used for major farm operations; such as ploughing, harrowing, sowing, harvesting and transporting work.
• Such tractors have (i) low ground clearance (ii) increased engine power (iii) good adhesion and (iv) wide tyres.

(b) Row crop tractor:

• It is used for crop cultivation.
• Such tractor is provided with replaceable driving wheels of different tread widths.
• It has high ground clearance to save damage of crops.
• Wide wheel track can be adjusted to suit inter row distance.

(c) Special purpose tractor:

• It is used for definite jobs like cotton fields, marshy land, hillsides, garden etc.
• Special designs are there for special purpose tractor.