The Best Small Farm Tractors Buyer’s Guide
Shopping for the perfect compact tractor for your property? Follow along as we break down the different small tractors John Deere makes, the type of tasks each series is designed for, and what some of the most commonly referred to features are. The purpose of this guide is to help you be informed so you have the knowledge you need to pick the right tractor for your land. Every piece of property is a little bit different and has different needs, which is why before you start shopping for tractors, you should think through the different types of jobs you want to tackle. Once you have an idea of what you’ll be doing, read through this guide to see which tractor fits your farm the best.
John Deere Sub-Compact and Compact Tractors
1 Series
John Deere’s 1 Series Sub-Compact tractors are the only sub-compact tractors John Deere offers. These tractors are designed specifically for yard work. They are great for mowing, tilling small gardens, and hauling landscaping materials. The 1 Series tractors come in two horsepower options: the 1023E that has 21.5 hp and the 1025R that has 23.9 hp.
Take A Closer Look At 1 Series Models
2 Series
John Deere’s 2 Series tractors are also designed for taking on landscaping jobs. These tractors are better suited for taking on tasks that need a little more power and hauling capacity. If you’re looking to buy a tractor you can use in the spring to maintain your yard and in the winter to remove snow, you’ve found your machine. The 2 Series tractors are available in three horsepower options: the 2025R with 24.2 hp, the 2023R with 31.2 hp, and the 2038R with 36.7 hp.
Take A Closer Look At 2 Series Models
3 Series
Made to get into the nitty-gritty farm work, John Deere’s 3 Series tractors are fit for all kinds of farming tasks. Have animals to feed? Need to haul gravel and dirt for the driveway you’re putting in? Tired of digging post holes by hand? Use a John Deere 3 Series tractor. These tractors are available in 3 different lineups: the 3D, 3E, and 3R, with horsepower options ranging from 24.7 hp - 45.3 hp.
Take A Closer Look At 3 Series Models
4 Series
The largest and most capable of John Deere’s compact tractors are 4 Series tractors. These machines are packed with power and potential. Whether you’re needing to haul hay or clear brush, these tractors can do it. Built with premium parts and backed by years of proven technology, these tractors are made to last for years to come. These John Deere 4 Series tractors are available in 3 different lineups: the 4M, 4M HD, and 4R, with horsepower options ranging from 43.1 hp - 65.9 hp.
Take A Closer Look At 4 Series Models
Features to Know
3-Point Hitch
A three-point hitch is a simple and effective way to attach implements to your tractor. This hitch also allows you to precisely raise and lower the implement. Whether you’re smoothing gravel or cutting grass, the height can be adjusted on the fly from the comfort of your seat. Small tractors are equipped with one of the following three-point hitch categories: Category 0 (0-20 hp tractors), Category 1 (20-50 hp tractors), or Category 2 (50-90 hp tractors).
PTO
PTOs or power take-offs are what transmit power to implements that are connected to the tractor. The 1,2, and 3R Series tractors have two PTO hook-up points, one on the bottom of the tractor and one on the back of the tractor. 3D, 3E, and 4 Series tractors have only one PTO hook-up spot and it’s on the back of the tractor. The PTO hookups on the back of tractors have a long rotating shaft that connects to your implements.
Transmission Type
To understand the different transmission types, it’s important to first understand what a transmission does. Transmissions control how the power from the engine is transmitted to the wheels of the tractor. John Deere’s compact tractors are available in one of three transmission types, however, the available transmissions vary between models.
Hydrostatic:
Hydrostatic transmissions function very similarly to automatic transmissions in vehicles. You don’t have to worry about shifting between gears and trying to smoothly let the clutch out to avoid jolting the tractor.
Gear
Gear transmissions function similarly to standard transmissions on vehicles. There are various synchronization options that determine how involved you have to be to shift between gears but for all of the options, if you want to work in a higher or lower gear, you have to do the shifting.
PowrReverserTM
John Deere offers another transmission option called PowrReverserTM. Just as the name suggests, this transmission option is focused on being able to quickly transition from forward to reverse. Tractors that are equipped with a PowrReverserTM transmission have an orange lever just to the left of the steering wheel. To change from traveling forward to traveling backward, all you need to do is flip the orange lever from being in the forward position to being in the reverse position, no stopping, clutching, or shifting necessary.