We will be looking at the overall concept of small farms, their statistics, and small farm tractors' importance.
Let's begin…
Types of Farms
In India, you will find almost every type of lands, farms, and farm holders. Farms are usually classified into different types based on their sizes and landholdings.
Here is a list of different types of farm sizes in India.
- Marginal farms are the ones with a land size of below 1.00 hectare.
- Small farms are the ones with a land size of 1.00-2.00 hectare.
- Semi-medium farms are the ones with a land size of 2.00-4.00 hectare.
- Medium farms are the ones with a land size of 4.00-10.00 hectare.
- Large farms are the ones with a land size of 10.00 hectare and above.
What Are the Small Farms?
In India, Small and marginal farms are those farms with less than 2 hectares of farmland.
The farmers who either own these farms or work in these farms constitute about 86.2% of the country's total farmers as per the data available as of Feb 2021.
Such a large number of small and marginal farmers, approximately 12 million, are considered to be the backbone of the Indian agricultural economy.
Let's move on to understand the importance or significance of small farms.
What Type of Tractors Is Suitable for A Small Farm?
Obviously, a small to medium-sized tractor is the right choice for small farms. Larger tractors are excellent for large landholders with 15-20 acres or more, but for the small farm, a smaller machine is more versatile and can be used for tasks around the yard as well as out in the field.
Significance of Small Farm Tractor
Small farm tractors are those in-between sub-compact tractors and mid-size tractors.
These tractors are offered in Cat-0 or Cat-1 hitches. It seems to be standard at this size, as does a three-cylinder diesel engine, which is good for functioning.
All small tractors are compatible with reasonably robust bucket loaders.
They are known to bridge the emissions gap, meaning many of these tractors offer horsepower ratings on either side of 27 hp, which is the cut-off for non-emissions-controlled engines.
Emission systems on tractors are relatively a new technology and have yet to be proven in reliability and longevity.
Small tractors sit in a precarious spot, bridging both the emissions gap and hitch categories, which means many small tractors will be a little too wide for a Cat-0 implement but underpowered for many Cat-1 tools.
Many of these small farm tractors fit on a landscape trailer, making them easier to transport than their larger brethren.
Because of their size, they also tend to be less intimidating to the beginner tractor owners.
In India, small farm tractors range between 2.5L to 5L. These are the most reasonably affordable tractor range. These prices are compatible with both marginal and small farm owners.
Small tractors are a versatile breed of machines that take tools in the front, back and under their belly, pulling way more than their weight.
These are the tractors equipped with a 540-rpm PTO and a three-point hitch designed for various tools.
For very small holdings, two hectors or less, a suitable tractor is undoubtedly likely to be found in the 15kw to 25kw horsepower range. Generally speaking, a small machine should have between 45 HP and 75 HP.
These are the tractors that have the four-wheel drive (4WD). Modern technology has made 4WD drivetrains much more reliable and affordable. A 4WD is particularly useful in slippery ground conditions simply by providing that little bit of extra traction via the front wheels, which is often all that is required when rear-wheel traction starts to falter.
These tractors have a power steering feature, and it is well worth any extra cost.
A tractor three-point linkage is found at the rear of these tractors.
These tractors have a hydraulic outlet, capable of powering a hydraulic cylinder if you intend to fit a front-end loader or an external hydraulic motor for its lifting capacity, speed of action, and ability to operate several hydraulic functions simultaneously.
Different sizes of small tractors have different lifting capabilities. They can lift heavy loads of gravel, mulch, feed, hay, manure, etc.
They are compact in size, with the general components of the tractors like wheelbase, wheel track, stature, weight, turning range, which is reasonable for the majority of the harvests like "cotton, lentil/beats, castor, grapes, groundnut, pomegranate, sugar stick. It tends to be altered to suit the necessity of each farmer, from marginal to small tractors.
These small tractors have a short turning capacity because of their small size that permits the tractor to explore around deterrents without harm to the yield effortlessly. It is valuable for cultivation crops.
They are light in weight, and because of the lightweight, the soil isn't squeezed during any activity. Thus, it is exceptionally valuable in sandy soils or for within development.
These days, organizations offer less price small tractor and prudent tractors, which is why farmers want to purchase small tractors to fulfill their needs.
Summary
You can witness that while the initial investment in a small-farm tractor may be high for some farmers, they are the most durable ones.
If the small farm tractors are well maintained, they will easily last 30 years or more with minimal ongoing costs.
The cost of a small farm tractor is the most favored expense among the small farmer of India.
Small farm tractors are extremely beneficial for about 82% of farmers in India.
They are the most demanded tractors in India and thus are the most popular tractors in India.
You will have to keep in mind these tractors' critical features, like the horsepower, lifting capacity, cc, transmission, hydraulics, drives used, and emission systems, while purchasing one.
