![]() This type of transmission is a proven design and tends to last longer than traditional manual transmission clutches. Instead of releasing a clutch and having your tractor lurch forward, you can now select your gear or speed range, then push the forward or reverse pedal to modulate the speed and direction you want to go. ![]() Today, however, the lion’s share of tractors sold have hydrostatic transmissions, which simplify and complicate the act of motivating a tractor all at the same time, especially if you’re used to a clutch. Tractors have been using gear and clutch-style transmissions for a very long time, and many experienced operators are more comfortable with this tried and true design. It can be annoying when you misplace these stupid little sleeves, but having a Cat-2 hitch opens up my options when buying implements and allows me to use a larger backhoe. My tractor is a Cat-2 tractor, so with the exception of my backhoe or scraper box, I need to use sleeves to adapt my Cat-1 implements to my Cat-2 hitch. Cat-2 implements tend to be far more robust in their construction, hence they use the larger 1-1/8” lower arm pin size. Cat-1 is the most common hitch found on the best small farm tractors.Ĭat-2 is a larger, less common hitch size usually reserved for hard use or high horsepower implements. Cat-1 hitches use a 7/8” lower arm pin and many Cat-0 implements can be adapted to fit a Cat-1 hitch. Cat-1 implements are plentiful, readily available, easy to find, and offer you the best chance to find a great deal, especially in the used market. Cat-1 is the most common size of hitch, and Cat-1 implements are offered in different widths to match your best small farm tractor. The 3-point hitch is where implements like these York rakes are attached.Ĭat-1 implements are what many consider to be a “standard” implement. Cat-0 implements are easily identified by their miniature appearance and use of 5/8” lower arm pins. Cat-0 tractors can only use Cat-0 implements because of size, weight restrictions, and the minimal power associated with Cat-0 tractors. I don’t advise the purchase of a Cat-0 tractor for many reasons, availability of implements is one of them. These implements tend to be expensive, limited in ability, and scarce in the used market. ![]() All these hitches have different pin, hitch arm, and top link dimensions.Ĭat-0 implements are miniature versions of Cat-1 implements and are meant to work on the smallest of tractors. There are more categories but these are the sizes that pertain to the small farmer and homesteader. For our purpose, we need to understand the difference between Cat-0 (category zero), Cat-1, and Cat-2. What’s The Hitch?Ī three-point hitch is the interface we use to attach implements to the back of a tractor. Follow along as I clarify a few things about today’s modern lineup, and help you decide what sort of tractor will fit you best. Back in the day, a tractor was a tractor, but today there is a wide array of options available, and that can be overwhelming. Manufacturers have developed new systems and unified many interfaces since the age of the Farmall, creating best small farm tractors that are robust, agile, dependable, and easily modified to fit the task at hand. Tractors are not on the cutting edge of science, but you may be unaware of how far they’ve come and just how outdated those antiques are. You can find good deals on these, available in various stages of neglect strewn across the pages of those tractor finder magazines, but if you’re hunting for a functional tool for the farm, you may be barking up the wrong tree. The attraction is understandable since these are true classics of farming, offering an allure of an iconic nature and an attractive price point. When you’re looking for the best small farm tractor for your farm or homestead, you may gravitate toward the tractors of yore Ford 9Ns, Farmall Cubs, Fordsons, and the such.
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