Compact Tractor Attachments — A Review
If you already own a compact tractor, or are thinking about purchasing on, then this article is intended to give an overview of the most popular compact tractor attachments. As the term so obviously states, compact tractor attachments are tools that attach to a compact tractor. They are typically driven from the tractor PTO shaft, and therefore draw power directly from the compact tractor engine. You can find an attachment suitable for almost any job; from uprooting trees, to digging trenches, clearing woodland, hedge trimming and even sweeping up! Essential, these power tools are designed to reduce hard labour, and even make previously tedious work pleasurable! Below is a list of 5 popular compact tractor attachments with a summary of their benefits.
Font Loader
Since agriculturally minded people are generally practical it’s reassuring that manufacturers of compact tractor attachments have followed suit by giving their products down-to-earth names. For example, a Front Loader does exactly what it says on the tin — it enables you to load just about anything into a handy bucket which is connected to the compact tractor via 2 sturdy boom arms. Front loaders are perfect for scraping up all sorts of materials and easily moving them front one place to another. Additionally, various sizes of buckets can be used including mechanical grab buckets, or even those fitted with pitch fork attachments. Hence, a compact tractor front loader is ideal for multiple uses, including; clearing gravel, removing muck from stables, delivering hay bales, and so on, thus making them a super addition for any compact tractor.
Backhoe digger
If a compact tractor Front Loader fits to the front of a tractor, no guessing for where a compact tractor backhoe attachment goes. Joking aside, while older compact tractor backhoe models used to be considered somewhat laughable in the construction industry, modern advancements mean that compact tractor backhoe attachments are being taken very seriously. In fact, so much so, that I can currently see a Kubota compact tractor fitted with a backhoe on a construction site outside of a major railway station as I write this article! This is no doubt due to the fact that modern compact tractor backhoes have power, versatility and, to top it off, are incredibly light-weight. Whether you want to knock down walls, move rubble, dig irrigation trenches, or uproot trees, a backhoe will save you time and labour.
Flail Mower
If a lawn mower can’t handle longer grass, then it’s likely you’ll benefit from purchasing a flail mower. Purposefully designed to handle longer grass and scrub, like a backhoe, a flail mower connects to PTO shaft at the back of the tractor. They are comprised of a heavy metal safety housing which contains a rotating metal drum. If you imagine a cylindrical hairbrush with lots of tiny bristles, then mentally replace those bristles with “Y” or “T” shaped pieces of metal — called ‘flails’ — then you’ll get some idea of what a flail mower looks like underneath the hood. As the drum rotates, those flails effectively thresh away and quickly cut scrub and longer grass. Additionally, flail mowers have the benefit of performing well on slopes, such as near a river bank to quickly remove excessive foliage and make any area quickly look like a picture.
Hedge Trimmers
A compact tractor hedge trimmer simply takes the hassle out of trimming hedges. Similar to compact tractor backhoe attachments, they fold neatly onto the back of any compact tractor. Good hedge trimmers are suitable of cutting any type of hedge and it’s generally recommended that you purchase one with at least a 2.5 metre reach advantage. In addition to pruning small bushes, hedges, and trees, hedge trimmers can be used for clearing saplings as well as removing protruding branches. This is achieved by way of a horizontal bar that carries slotted spike, or fingers, through which the vibratory knives trim the hedge.
Power Sweeper
With winter approaching, we will include power sweepers to wrap-up our short-list of top compact tractor attachments. That’s because in addition to being able to pick up grass clippings, twigs, leaves, and other lightweight debris, they are also ideal for clearing slush, sleet and even snow for congested driveways.
Conculsion
Compact tractor attachments are versatile, labour saving, and won’t break the bank. Plus, there’s an attachment for almost any kind of job. If you want to research compact tractor attachments in more detail then there are plenty of videos on YouTube, along with a number of reputable suppliers, such as Beckside Machinery, for example.
