Want to extract more value from every acre without breaking the bank?
Growers and cultivators focus on their soil, strain selection and irrigation systems. And those things are important. But if you want to take your operation to the next level, there’s one thing you can’t overlook…
Equipment knowledge.
Knowing which machines to use, how they work and when to perform maintenance will separate a successful growing season from a money pit. Choosing the best tractor for farming isn’t about brand or engine size. It comes down to knowing how to use the right equipment for the job at hand.
Here’s the deal…
Equipment knowledge will:
- Cost you absolutely nothing
- Take a little time to develop
…and pay dividends by saving you thousands of dollars every year.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why Equipment Knowledge Is The Best Underrated Skill
- How To Choose The Best Tractor For Farming
- What Can Go Wrong When You Don’t Have Equipment Knowledge
- How To Gain Equipment Knowledge
Why Equipment Knowledge Is The Best Underrated Skill
The cultivation business is evolving quicker than many realize.
Farming equipment comes loaded with technology operators should be taking advantage of. Auto-steer, GPS, variable rate application… the list goes on of features built into machinery many growers already own.
The problem is…
Most operators never take the time to learn how to use them. When searching for the best tractor for farming, do your homework on compact utility tractor features because using the right tractor for each job will outperform resorting to one oversized tractor all the time.
Equipment knowledge includes things like driving skills, but it goes beyond that. It also includes:
- Which tools work best for which jobs
- Proper maintenance practices to keep machines running
- How to properly diagnose issues before they become serious problems
Cultivation equipment knowledge is a skill that only gets better with experience. The more time an operator spends learning about their machines, the better they’ll become over time.
How To Choose The Best Tractor For Farming
Think about the last tractor you brought into your operation.
Not the brand, but was it the perfect size? Were you overmatched by how much horsepower you bought? Or did it simply meet your needs without going overboard?
Picking the best tractor for farming isn’t as simple as buying the biggest thing in the dealership parking lot. The size of your operation, terrain, crop mix and job requirements should all factor into the size and scope of the tractor you choose.
Let’s review some important criteria
When farming, the right tractor should fit your workload. Purchasing too much tractor will waste money on fuel and depreciate your equipment faster. Buying a tractor that’s too small creates additional strain and wear. Knowing your machinery’s horsepower, PTO output, hydraulic system capacity and three-point hitch ratings is critical to making a wise investment.
The data backs this up. Repair costs for farm equipment have increased by 41% since 2020. Whether it’s your own workshop or hiring outside assistance, parts and labour aren’t getting any cheaper. Make sure you purchase the right equipment the first time.
The most knowledgeable operators spend time learning everything about their machines. Read the manual. Follow along with manufacturer training videos. Even talk to your equipment dealer about what others are doing with the same make and model you just bought.
What Can Go Wrong When You Lack Equipment Knowledge
Let’s talk about money.
Most cultivation businesses don’t operate on profit. Sure, everyone loves to turn a nice dollar at the end of the year. But when money is lost due to preventable equipment problems, it hurts.
Equipment downtime is nothing to joke about.
Whether it’s harvest or planting season, time is everything. The average farmer loses $3,348 annually just recovering from repair downtime and added manufacturer restrictions that limit what farmers can do on their own machines. That may not sound like a lot at first, but over time adds up quickly.
There’s also the crop to consider.
Planting behind schedule yields less product. Harvesting late due to downtime or breakdowns can risk crop quality. Every hour you aren’t operating equates to money lost.
Here are a few of the most common equipment failures in cultivation:
- Neglecting scheduled maintenance. Operators who don’t know when or how to maintain their machines will eventually break down.
- Using the wrong tool for the job.
- Ignoring minor problems that turn into major issues.
- Trying to use equipment that isn’t designed for the task.
All of these problems are easily avoided by simply knowing your machines better.
How To Gain Equipment Knowledge
Reverse engineer your favourite farm movie.
Remember the shady guy that “fixed” the tractor by pouring WD-40 into every orifice he could find? Or the guy that boasted about how he didn’t need an operator’s manual because “she’s a farm truck, not a spaceship.”
The people that know their equipment best spend time learning how everything works. This means understanding:
- Maintenance schedules (and sticking to them)
- Operating procedures
- Using the right machine for the job
Each piece of equipment your operation uses comes with an operator’s manual. These books contain maintenance schedules, troubleshooting tips and proper operating procedures. Spending time with the owner’s manual is step 1 towards gaining more equipment knowledge.
If you dig deeper, there are a few other ways to improve your cultivation equipment game.
- Attend factory training sessions. Many farm implement brands offer customer training days. Some are even free!
- Build relationships with your equipment dealer’s technicians. These guys see things go wrong on a daily basis. They know breakdowns before they happen.
- Talk to other operators. Whether online or locally, nothing beats first-hand knowledge from folks running the same equipment you do.
- Document everything. Repair? Wrote it down. Replaced a piece of equipment? Log the miles and service history. Over time, you’ll start to see trends that help you predict breakdowns before they happen.
Farm equipment manufacturers are already facing a massive skills gap. In fact, over 71% of farmers reported difficulty finding skilled tractor operators in the last year. That means the growers and operators who invest time into learning about their machines will be some of the most valuable assets to an operation. Whether you’re running your own show or working for others, equipment knowledge is a powerful skill to have.
Simple enough, right?
The farmers that excel at operating and maintaining their equipment aren’t just saving money. They run more efficient operations, experience less stress during peak season and can make smarter purchasing decisions as time goes on.
Wrap Up
Equipment knowledge should never be overlooked. The most important asset to your cultivation business is going to be your equipment. Directly knowing how to use it, maintain it and keep it running day in and day out is the most underrated cultivation skill there is.
Finding the right tractor for farming should start with evaluating your operation’s needs. From there you can:
- Learn how to properly operate your equipment
- Use proper equipment for the job
- Perform maintenance on a regular schedule
- Continue to learn about your equipment as years pass
Who knows? Proper machine knowledge might just be the most profitable skill you can learn in the cultivation business.
