First-time Buyer?
Finding the Right Sports Car,
Oops, Tractor!

Most adults don’t wear clothing made for someone twice their own size…or even half their size. Knowing your correct size in clothing is a matter not only of personal comfort but also the activities you plan to undertake. There are also many different sizes of tractors out there, how does a first-time buyer know what to look for?

A few basics about tractors may be helpful when you go looking for yours. If we had been living one hundred years ago we might have asked, “How many horses do you need to plow that field?” Today, the question is almost the same: “How much horsepower do you need to mow an acre of lawn, remove snow from a long driveway, and haul firewood in from your woodlot?” The horses you need today are tucked under the sleek hood of compact utility tractors that are made especially to work on a few acres. Why, these tractors are so much fun to operate that family members just might fight over who gets to drive theirs.

You are a savvy consumer, but how do you start the process? Sure we all know about RBIs, DVDs, and MVPs. But not everyone was born with a genetic understanding of PTOs, ROPS, and FWD. When you go shopping for a tractor, here is a list of terms that will help you understand “tractor language.”

• PTO (Power Take Off): This is a shaft at the back or the mid-point of the tractor that spins with tremendous power from the tractor engine and is used to run attachments or other machinery being pulled by the tractor. It literally “takes power off” the engine and delivers it to the implement. It is considered the true measure of horsepower capabilities.
• 2WD (Two-Wheel Drive): The engine drives the tractor’s right rear wheel. 2WD is ideal for light jobs and smooth terrain.
• Diff Lock (Differential Lock): Diff lock allows the operator to manually engage both rear wheels simultaneously for greater traction.
• FWD (Four-Wheel Drive): The engine drives all tractor wheels. FWD is ideal for hilly, muddy, or snowbound conditions. The optional New Holland Sensitrak automatically switches from 2WD to FWD when the job demands it. Under conditions that cause rear wheels to slip, Sensitrak smoothly engages FWD. Back on firm ground Sensitrak disengages, allowing the front wheels to roll freely. Protecting turf and saving wear and tear on front tires.
• HP (Engine or Gross Horsepower): These letters coupled with a number represent the amount of power the tractor engine produces.
• The hydraulic system is a closed-environment system that creates oil pressure to lubricate the transmission and gears, assist in braking, operate the steering system, engage the PTO, and power the attachments.
• Auxiliary hydraulics operate an attachment with hydraulics off a cylinder at the back of the tractor.
• Drawbar: The bar at the back of the tractor where machinery is hitched to the tractor. Drawbar horsepower is engine power measured at the tractor drawbar, generally 75 to 85 percent of PTO horsepower. Drawbar horsepower indicates the tractor’s ability to pull implements.
• ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure): A strong steel bar that rises above the driver’s seat and is designed to protect the driver in case the tractor tips over. The National Safety Council estimates that ROPS and seat belt-equipped tractors would save approximately 350 lives annually in the U.S.
• FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure): Like the ROPS, it is intended to protect you in the event of a tractor rollover, but in addition it also shields you from falling objects. Sometimes it looks like a metal sunshade.
• Three-Point Hitch: A mechanical link at the back of the tractor used to attach, adjust, raise, or lower, and pull implements such as a mower. The hitch consists of two lift arms that are raised and lowered by the tractor’s hydraulic system. At the end of each arm is a hole where the pin of an implement’s three-point hitch can be inserted and locked into position.

Now, let's make a list, starting with the size of your property. Small lot? Small tractor needed for mowing and snow removal, say 20 to 25 horsepower. A larger lot, especially one with hills and a long driveway? you should be looking at a bit more horsepower, maybe 30 –35. But if you have a few acres and plan to really do some serious small-scale farming, a model with 40 plus horsepower will probably better suit your needs.

Next, write down the tasks you want your tractor to do for you. You will discover that they do so much more than you imagined. Tractors are made for mowing, tilling, digging, making fence postholes, removing snow and much much more. If you move soil, mulch, gravel, or snow, a much faster, easier way to move heavy materials is with a front end loader. Once you have used one, you may wonder how you ever did outdoor work without it.

With it you can move anything heavy, carry feed, hay, manure, or pallets and even do light grading around the house and garden.

Finally, think about the space where this tractor will be working and where it will be kept. What is the minimum width you have to maneuver around your roses and rhododendrons? How wide is the space beside your car in the garage? Or will you keep your tractor in a barn where there is plenty of room? Remember, ROPS, and FOPS will increase your tractor's height.

Now it is time to shop. All tractor manufacturers have Web sites, which are useful in narrowing down your color preference. When you feel ready to move to the next step, grab your list and head out to your local dealer. He will help you identify the model that will fit your needs and price range perfectly.

While you are at the dealership, test-drive several models of different sizes. Get a feel for the seat, the controls, and the visibility. Remember, after the sale, nobody ever complains that the tractor is too big for the job. Ask about maintenance schedules and warranty programs. Don’t forget to include a slow moving vehicle sign as part of the deal.

After you have done your homework and your dream tractor is parked in your yard, keep in mind that proper preventative maintenance ensures longer life, hassle-free operation, and great value. Protect your investment and know that it will perform when you need it. Happy tractoring!

*****************************************************************

ROPS SEATBELT SAFETY- IT'S THE WAY TO LIVE

USE ROPS AND SEAT BELT WHENEVER AND WHEREVER APPLICABLE. iF YOUR TRACTOR HAS A FOLDABLE ROPS , FOLD IT DOWN ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND FOLD IT UP AND LOCK IT AGAIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DO NOT WEAR THE SEAT BELT WHEN THE ROPS IS FOLDED. MOST TRACTOR FATALITIES ARE CAUSED BY OVERTURNS. NEW HOLLAND STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THE USE OF ROPS AND SEAT BELTS IN ALMOST ALL APPLICATIONS.

*********************************************************

AS THE FORAGE SEASON DRAWS CLOSER.... NEW HOLLAND HAS PREPARED THESE NET WRAPPING TIPS...

Net wrapping dramatically boosts a baler's productivity, because it takes fewer bale revolutions to wrap net vs. twine tying.

Net-wrapped bales are firm, well­shaped, easier to move and store, are more weather-resistant, and retain more leaves for more palatable, high-quality hay. Net wrapping dramatically boosts a baler's productivity, because it takes fewer bale revolutions to wrap net vs. twine tying. We have two types of net wrap and various widths for round balers. Different types are more compatible with certain New Holland baler models. Here are a few tips to help you and your customers gain a better grasp of when white net works better than black net or vice-versa .

FASTNET BLACK NET WRAP

Fastnet TM open-mesh, extruded-plastic, black bale wrap is designed specifIcally for use with "0," "4," and "8" Series New Holland round balers. It is the strongest net wrap on the market. It provides supe­rior coverage, because it keeps its shape and doesn't get narrower as it's stretched. It completely binds bales from end to end, helping to keep the bale densely wrapped and more weather resistant. Fastnet

releases off the bale for hassle-free feed­ing, especially during winter months. It resists punctures and tears for safe, reli­able transport. Black net has less weight per roll than white net. It is easier to han­dle and install. Black net does the best job for commercial handling.

WHITENET NET WRAP

White, woven netting is light, easier to use than black net, and can be cost-effec­tive. It wraps tight and smooth to reduce water penetration. It maintains hay and forage quality; reduces spoilage and leaf loss. It covers bales from edge to edge and holds bale shape during transport and stacking. White net rolls are heavier, but there are other benefIts. A roll of white wraps more bales. It is easier to handle when removed from bales, and it costs less per bale. It increases baling time, because more wraps of white net may be required to get the same com­mercial trucking performance as with black net. This may reduce its cost advantage.

WHICH NET OR WHICH BALER ?

Although "0," "4," and "8" Series New Holland round balers could use either black (extruded) or white (woven) nets, these balers function slightly better with black net. The width of net used should match the bale chamber width or be slightly wider. Extra width or over-edge nets offer no benefIts in these balers.

"BR"-Series New Holland balers can use a variety of nets. The BR balers were designed predominantly for white net. Another focus of their design was the option to use extra-wide rolls for net coverage over the edge of the bale. White net the same width as the bale chamber is usually adequate for covering the bale over its entire width. Typically, white net wider than the bale chamber will provide over-the-edge coverage.

Black net will work in these baler models, but extra-width black net usual­ly doesn't provide over-the-edge cover­age. If black net is used in "BR" balers, net width should match bale chamber width.

Our net preference for BR balers is 48-inch white (Part # NH48X9840W) for Models BR740 and BR750 and 64-inch white (Part # NH64X7000W) for Models BR770 and BR780. These selections pro­vide consistent, complete coverage of the bale with a small amount of over-the-edge coverage, if properly installed and cen­tered in the baler.

If you want to cover over-the-edge, use 51-inch (Part # NH51X9840EDGE) for the Models BR740 and BR750' and for the Models BR770 and BR780, use 67-inch Part # (NH67X7000EDGE). In the current "Parts Sales and Marketing Letter, U.S. No. 472," specifIc catalog part numbers for chamber-width, as well as "over-the-edge" white net are clearly identifIed. The same information will also be found in the Canadian version.

... And Remember

Encourage your customers not to buy on price alone. Always sell the New Holland product with the knowledge that it is designed for our balers and our markets in North America. New Holland suppliers are located in North America, manufactur­ ing for our conditions. For example, our product has the UV protection specifIed for North America, resulting in optimum durability. The same can't always be said for the competition .