Is there a site some where that is good for someone who will be needing a tractor and doesn't want to look like a "total" idiot when they go to the dealer to see about one?? I am talking here about some one who has never even seen one up close, knows nothing, nada!! Maybe just to understand the basics and the lingo (PTO, etc.) as well as what implements there are available, etc. Besides, my "friends" doesn't want to get taken or talked into more (or less) of a tractor than they really need.

Ok, I confess....the "friends" are my husband and me. We homesteaded before but did it all by hand. Being older and ready to branch out expanding our horizons (ie: finding a way that is easier on our backs and knees)we really would like to go to tractor power. On our old homestead we were just too embarrased to ask any of the neighbors who have generations of tractor owners and who thought we were nuts anyway coming from the city life to the country. Someone even posted a sign the read "Green Acres"! They always made jokes and teased us about our questions on livestock, etc. Of course it could be because the very first calf we had was born was in the pasture and we were out there in lawn chairs waiting and pacing because no one in my family had ever seen a baby born before (I never even got to see my own children being born) and we were amazed and worried at the same time. Hey, what did we know? Heck, when we bought the cow we didn't even know you should get out of the way when the tail went up! Boy did we learn a lot, finally! Anyway, we weren't about to ask about a tractor!!

As always, thanks for your help!

-- Karen (db0421@yahoo.com), July 30, 2001

Answers

Find you a local dealer and ask questions. If you want some online sources check out some of these sites. The Small tractor FAQ can be found at http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/kb13/TF_home.htm This faq is geared twards compact tractor for smaller farms. You can also stop by one of the many fourms related to tractors and ask all the questions you like.

http://www.tractorbynet.com and http://jplan.com/tractor/home.sht has a number of forms and helpfull information. These are both geared twards compact tractors. Yonder way has some older tractor info. http://www.yonderway.com/tractorfaq/tractor_links.shtml as does yesterdays tractors http://www.ytmag.com/ Both yahoo group and yahoo clubs had fourms that support specific brands and model tractors.

good luck

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), July 30, 2001.

Karen, I don't know any specific tractor sites, but I just wanted to tell you to never be embarrassed about asking questions when you don't know things. Sure, maybe your neighbors teased you about things you didn't know, but I'll bet anything they enjoyed answering your questions. March right into a farm equipment dealership and announce to the salesman you don't know a darn thing about tractors but you have lots of questions. You'll have a most liberating feeling, I guarantee, when you have exposed your ignorance to someone who is able to answer your questions. The absolute WORST thing you can do is hide the fact that you don't know anything, because when they talk to you then, they assume you know more than you do and you'll be lost. Which does no one any good at all. So don't worry about asking questions, just do it and enjoy the learning experience. :)

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@imcnet.net), July 30, 2001.

Karen,

I was just where you guys are now a couple months ago. I knew tractors existed and knew I need one but that was about it. I'd never even heard the term "three point hitch" much less being able to define it. I started out just doing a search online. Gary's list of sites should be a great start for you.

Jennifer's advice is perfect, too. Fortunately, I have no pride whatsoever (Yes, I'll even stop and ask directions when I'm driving). Most people are happy to show you how much they know. Just make sure you don't let them get away from you on their rants. If they get into jargon (every group has it's own), ask them to explain what they mean. Most folks are happy to make suggestions and give you their particular spin on things. Talk to enough of them and you'll eventually find you've gotten both sides of everything. If someone tells you that you need to make sure you get "X" on your tractor, ask not only why but also what the alternative is and the advantages and disadvantes of each. After a while you'll be able to form your own opinion.

Now that I've said all of this I'll admit I've still not bought a tractor. I've looked at everything from new (until I saw the prices) to really cheap old Ford N series stuff and everything in between. I even looked at Gray Market used stuff. I've finally about decided on what I want. Now all I have to do is find one. LOL

Good luck to you in your search. Mine has been quite and education and some fun, too. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), July 31, 2001.

Karen, To put your mind at ease, we are a small dealership in Albany, OR. We started out just as you and found that to learn you must ask. Now look at what we are doing. Most of the people that deal with us have very little back ground. I always assume that anyone looking at tractors knows very little. It they do have the bsackground they usually say so and I move on. I always consider that a tractor is a major purchase item and to sell someone something they really don't need is foolish. Especially in a small town. So, please ask those questions. My first question I try to ask is what do you want or need to do with your tractor? Second is how much work will you be needing to do with it? Those two questions help to cover the size you might need to be looking at and the type of implements it might be required to handle. Most tractors of recent vintage have a three point hitch (unless gray market) but different horsepower needs are required for different functions eg. tilling vs. baling hay. My third question I like to ask is what do you plan to do in the future. That is an important one because getting to small a tractor can create problems if the job in the future will be bigger than it can handle.

-- Jack (tuffstuff@proaxis.com), December 13, 2001.

Karen, since posting earlier I've come across a great site I'd like to share with you. It's 'jPlan' and I believe it can be found at (you guessed it) www.jplan.com on the web. I'm not on my PC or I'd be able to send you a link. If that isn't the correct URL, please email me and I'll get you the link. I'm sure you'll love the site both before and after you buy something. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), December 15, 2001.