Top 10 Must-Have Tractor Implements for Every Farm

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In order to maximize productivity and streamline farm operations, it is crucial to equip your farm with the right tractor implements. These essential tools are indispensable for farms of all sizes and types, enabling efficient soil preparation, crop maintenance, and harvesting.

What are agricultural implements?

Agricultural implements, also known as farm implements or farm machinery, are tools and equipment specifically designed and used in agricultural activities to enhance efficiency, productivity, and ease of work. These implements play a crucial role in various stages of farming, from land preparation and planting to cultivation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. They are designed to perform specific tasks and are commonly attached to a tractor or other power sources for operation.

Agricultural implements can be categorized based on their functions:

• Soil Preparation Implements: Plows, harrows, cultivators, tillers, and subsoilers break up the soil, remove weeds and debris, and create a suitable seedbed.
• Planting and Seeding Implements: Seed drills, planters, transplanters, and seedling trays ensure precise and efficient seed placement, spacing, and depth.
• Crop Maintenance Implements: Fertilizer spreaders, sprayers, irrigation systems, weeders, and pest control equipment aid in fertilization, irrigation, weed control, and pest management.
• Harvesting Implements: Combine harvesters, reapers, harvesters, and fruit pickers efficiently cut, gather, and separate crops during harvest.
• Post-Harvest Handling Implements: Conveyors, grain dryers, elevators, and storage bins facilitate the cleaning, sorting, grading, drying, and storing of harvested crops.
• Livestock Implements: Livestock feeders, milkers, cattle crushes, sheep handlers, and livestock trailers assist with feeding, milking, herding, and transportation in livestock farming.
• Specialty Implements: Implements designed for vineyards, orchards, nurseries, and other specialized agricultural practices cater to specific farming needs.

Top 10 Tractor Implements:

Tractor Plow: A plow is the foundation of soil preparation. It efficiently breaks up the ground, turns the soil, and prepares a suitable seedbed for planting. With different plow designs available, such as moldboard plows and chisel plows, you can choose the one that suits your specific needs.

Disc Harrow: After plowing, a disc harrow comes into play. This implements further breaks up soil clumps, incorporates crop residue, and smoothens the field's surface. It improves soil structure, allowing for better water infiltration and root penetration.

Cultivator: A cultivator is an essential tool for weed control and shallow tillage. It helps maintain soil moisture, control weeds, and aerate the soil around growing crops. Different attachments can be used, such as sweeps or shovels, to adapt to different soil conditions and weed types.

Seed Drill: When it comes to efficient and precise seeding, a seed drill is a farmer's best friend. It ensures consistent seed depth and spacing, resulting in uniform crop emergence and optimal plant stands. With advanced models, you can also incorporate fertilizer placement during seeding.

Rotary Tiller: A rotary tiller is ideal for seedbed preparation and overall soil cultivation. It breaks up compacted soil, mixes in organic matter, and creates a favourable environment for root development. It is particularly useful for vegetable farms and smaller-scale operations.

Fertilizer Spreader: Proper nutrient management is crucial for crop health and yield optimization. A fertilizer spreader enables accurate and even distribution of fertilizers across the field. It ensures that plants receive the nutrients they need, contributing to healthy growth and high-quality harvests.

Sprayer: To protect crops from pests, diseases, and weeds, a sprayer is a vital implement. It allows for the precise application of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Choose a sprayer with adjustable spray patterns and volume control to target specific areas and minimize chemical waste.

Mower: Maintaining grass, weeds, and cover crops is essential for farm aesthetics, livestock grazing, and forage production. A reliable mower attachment for your tractor makes the task efficient and effortless. Mower can be used for haymaking and silage production.

Loader: A tractor loader is a versatile implement that enhances the farm's capabilities. From loading and unloading materials to moving heavy objects, a loader proves invaluable. It can handle a variety of tasks, including feeding livestock, transporting goods, and managing bulk materials.

Bale Spear: For farms that deal with hay or straw bales, a bale spear is a must-have implement. It simplifies the handling and transportation of bales, saving time and effort during feeding or storage. Choose a sturdy spear attachment that can securely lift and transport bales of different sizes.

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Modern farmers have different equipment options for various annual activities. From high-tech combine harvesters to simple tractors, the different farm equipment can meet the needs of small-scale homesteaders and industrial-size farming operations. However, it can be challenging to keep track of all the options. New farmers especially may wonder what the different types of farming machinery are for. For small- and mid-size farms, determining the types of farming machinery you may need to make your operations more efficient can be frustrating.

While all the equipment available may seem confusing, knowing about the basic farm equipment options can be an enormous help. If you're looking into purchasing new or used farm equipment, take a look at this guide. We'll review the different types of agricultural machines, their uses and some options for small, mid-size and large-scale farming operations.

Farming Vehicles

Of the different types of farm equipment and their uses, vehicles are the most important and represent the largest investment. While a truck is often a staple of farming life, several other farm-specific vehicles exist.

1. Tractors

The tractor is ubiquitous in the farming world and comes in various sizes to fit any farming operation. The primary purpose of a tractor is to pull farm equipment, but modern tractors can be outfitted with multiple attachments to suit just about any farming need. For this reason, tractors are common-sense purchases for small and large-scale farmers alike.

There are several types of tractors, including the following:

• Compact tractors: Compact tractors are small, high-powered tractors that can assist with all the basic functions needed on a farm or home. They are ideal for material handling and working in tight spaces where traditional tractors can't fit.
• Wheeled tractors: Wheeled tractors are general-purpose tractors that help you get the most out of your machinery. These utility tractors can meet various demands and be outfitted for tilling, material handling and equipment pulling. Wheeled tractors come with a range of horsepower, lifting capacity, control and cab-style options, allowing you to choose the best option for your applications. 
• Track tractors: Track tractors are farming vehicles mounted with tracks instead of tires, allowing them to plow fields with more power while providing a smoother ride for the operator.
• Specialty Crop tractors: Specialty crop tractors are designed, or can be specially adapted, with features to work optimally in orchards and vineyards. These slender tractors can more easily fit between lines of trees and vines while still providing the power needed for landscaping and maintenance.

Attachments allow tractors to become universal machines capable of getting anything done . For more details on the types of attachments available and what they do, see the section covering tractor attachments.

2. Combines and Forage Harvesters

In nothern California and Oregon, combines are commonly used for rice and grass seed, but you can also use combines and forage harvesters for other purposes on a farm. Even small-scale farmers can significantly benefit from using a combine or forage harvester. These massive pieces of machinery use a complex system of gears, blades, belts and wheels to turn cereal crops into grain. Combines accomplish this through three primary processes:

1. Reaping: Reaping is cutting the plant, accomplished by the header, reel and cutter bar on the combine. The header gathers the crops while the reel pushes them toward the cutter bar, which cuts the crops at their base.
2. Threshing: Threshing is the process of separating the edible parts of the crop from the nonedible parts. This is accomplished by the threshing drum, which beats the cut crops to separate the grains from their stalks. Threshers can also be individual attachments that you can use on a tractor. Some threshers can come with a bagger, while others discharge grains using conveyors.
3. Winnowing: Winnowing separates light chaff from the grain, usually accomplished while the grain is in the threshing drum. Chaff is generally separated from the grain through the use of sieves.

There is a vast array of combines and combine attachments to meet the needs of any farm. Many newer combines can even track yield data, showing which areas of the field did well and which did poorly so that these issues can be addressed the following year.

3. ATV, RTV, and UTV

All-terrain vehicles, also known as ATVs or four-wheelers, are becoming increasingly common on farms of all sizes, as are utility vehicles or UTVs. These smaller vehicles can move across rough terrain more effectively than most road vehicles and more quickly than a typical tractor. Additionally, several types of attachments will work for these vehicles, including small trailers, spreaders and mowers.

Tractor Attachments

Tractor attachments are attached to tractors or pulled behind them to add a new level of functionality. Their uses range widely from soil management to seeding. The different types of farm machinery attachments are detailed below.

1. Plows

A plow is a large tractor attachment that drags behind the tractor, using long blades to cut furrows in the soil. This process not only loosens and turns the soil, but it also helps kill off any surface vegetation that is not intended to be there. While the soil has to go through several subsequent steps to be ready for planting, plowing is an essential first step.

The concept of a plow may seem simple enough, but there are a variety of different plow types. Each plow type is suited to a specific soil type, soil condition and crop type. Here is a look at the three most common types of plows:

• Moldboard plows:

   

  Moldboard plows consist of wing-shaped blades, which are specifically designed to cut into and turn the soil. This is an ideal type of plow for shallow but thorough soil turning, which is often necessary for land that hasn't been used for crop production for several years.
• Disc plows:

   

  Disc plows consist of rows of discs that work to turn the soil and cut up weeds. These are less common than moldboard plows as they are less effective at turning the soil, but disc plows may be more useful for soil that is particularly sticky or rocky.

• Chisel plows: 

  Chisel plows consist of exceptionally long shanks. These shanks turn the soil at a depth of a foot or more. This is often necessary for land that has been used for consistent crop production.

Plows can range widely in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the type, size, brand and condition of the plow.

2. Harrows

Where plowing primes the soil, harrowing further agitates it in preparation for agricultural work. These attachments break down clumps of soil, make the soil surface level and redistribute crop and weed residue to make it easier for new plants to take root and grow. Harrows can also be used after distributing manure and fertilizer, as they can help break up clumps and distribute the fertilizer more evenly.

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Some common types of harrows include:

• Spring harrows:

   

  Spring harrows are an older style that isn't commonly found today. These attachments use flexible iron teeth mounted in rows to loosen and agitate the soil.
• Roller harrows:

   

  Roller harrows look like large spiked tubes and, as the name suggests, are rolled across the soil to help crush the soil and prepare it for seed planting.

• Chain harrows:

   

  Chain harrows look like chain nets with spiked attachments. These are run over the surface of the ground to help aerate and spread soil and fertilizer.

• Disc harrows:

   

  Disc harrows are the more modern version of spring harrows, and consist of rows of large discs that break up soil and weeds more thoroughly after plowing.

Often, multiple types of harrows are used for different purposes and may be used multiple times during the soil preparation process. Harrows can be pulled behind tractors or ATVs, depending on their size and complexity. More advanced harrows require a tractor, but they often combine the benefits of multiple types of harrows all into one.

3. Fertilizer Spreaders

All-terrain vehicles, also known as ATVs or four-wheelers, are becoming increasingly common on farms of all sizes, as are rugged terrain vehicles (RTVs), and utility vehicles (UTVs). These smaller vehicles can move across rough terrain more effectively than most road vehicles and more quickly than a typical tractor. Additionally, several attachments will work for these vehicles, including small trailers, spreaders and mowers.

ATVs, RTVs, and UTVs make it easier to navigate large properties and provide an easier alternative to walking. You can also use these vehicles to haul equipment or your harvest, depending on the scope of your applications. 

Tractor Attachments and Implements

Tractor attachments are attached to tractors or pulled behind them to add a new level of functionality. Their uses range widely from soil management to seeding. The different types of farm machinery attachments are detailed below.

1. Plows

A plow is a large tractor attachment that drags behind the tractor, using long blades to cut furrows in the soil. This process loosens and turns the soil and helps kill off any surface vegetation not intended to be there. While the soil has to go through several subsequent steps to be ready for planting, plowing is an essential first step.

The concept of a plow may seem simple enough, but various plow types exist. Each plow type is suited to a specific soil type, soil condition and crop type. Here is a look at the three most common types of plows:

• Moldboard plows: Moldboard plows consist of wing-shaped blades designed to cut into and turn the soil. This is an ideal type of plow for shallow but thorough soil turning, which is often necessary for land that hasn't been used for crop production for several years.
• Disc plows: Disc plows consist of rows of discs that work to turn the soil and cut up weeds. These are less common than moldboard plows as they are less effective at turning the soil, but disc plows may be more useful for particularly sticky or rocky soil.
• Chisel plows: Chisel plows consist of exceptionally long shanks. These shanks turn the soil at a depth of a foot or more. This is often necessary for land used for consistent crop production.

Plows can range widely in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the plow's type, size, brand and condition. You'll want to choose a plow based on your soil type, land conditions and type of crop production.

2. Harrows

Where plowing primes the soil, harrowing further agitates it in preparation for agricultural work. These attachments break down clumps of soil, make the soil surface level and redistribute crop and weed residue to make it easier for new plants to grow. Harrows can also be used after distributing manure and fertilizer, as they can help break up clumps and distribute the fertilizer more evenly.

Some common types of harrows include:

• Spring harrows: Spring harrows are an older style that isn't commonly found today. These attachments use flexible iron teeth mounted in rows to loosen and agitate the soil.
• Roller harrows: Roller harrows look like large spiked tubes and, as the name suggests, are rolled across the soil to help crush the soil and prepare it for seed planting.
• Chain harrows: Chain harrows look like chain nets with spiked attachments. These are run over the ground's surface to help aerate and spread soil and fertilizer.
• Disc harrows: Disc harrows are the more modern version of spring harrows and consist of rows of large discs that break up soil and weeds more thoroughly after plowing.

Multiple types of harrows are often used for different purposes and may be used numerous times during the soil preparation process. Depending on size and complexity, harrows can be pulled behind tractors or ATVs. More advanced harrows require a tractor, but they often combine the benefits of multiple types of harrows all into one. Some harrows can be attached to another implement to save time and expenses since you won't have to make as many passes through the field. You can also use them to break up manure and smooth riding surfaces.

3. Fertilizer Spreaders

Fertilizer Spreaders function as the name suggests &#; they spread fertilizer across a field. While there are fertilizer spreaders that can be run separately, most farming operations require a tractor-run fertilizer spreader for quick, evenly distributed fertilization.

There are multiple types of fertilizer spreaders, varying primarily based on the fertilizer used. These are some of the more common types of tractor-mounted fertilizer spreaders:

• Broadcast spreader: The most common fertilizer spreader is the broadcast spreader, which takes fertilizer and disperses it using gravity.
• Manure spreader: Manure spreaders take solid manure from livestock and spread it across a field. This is an easy way of effectively utilizing manure, though the solid manure will often need to be run over with a harrow to break it up and mix it in with the soil.
• Slurry spreader: Liquid manure spreaders are also known as slurry spreaders, which spray a slurry of liquid manure across a field.

Fertilizer spreaders vary widely in size and price, so consider your application closely before deciding which type to buy. It's also worthwhile to note that fertilizer spreader attachments are available for ATVs, UTVs and tractors.

4. Seeders

Seeders are designed to spread seeds across large plots of land quickly and efficiently. While small farms may use small mechanical seeders or even hand-seeding methods, tractor-pulled seeders are most commonly used in large-scale farms today. There are different machines used in agriculture seeding such as the following:

• Broadcast seeders: Broadcast seeders are also known as seeders or rotary spreaders, and they come in all sizes. These seeders work by placing seeds inside a hopper. Inside the hopper, a plate turns, taking seeds in for dispersing across the field. While this method is very effective for planting cover crops and grasses, it is not ideal for garden crops that need more organization, such as being laid out in rows.
• Air seeders: Air seeders are very large, using compressed air to shoot seeds into the ground. Though highly effective, air seeders can only be used on small, round seeds because of the way they operate, which limits their utility.
• Box drill seeders: Box drills are the preferred seeder for most farming operations because they are easy to use and work with a wide variety of seed types. These attachments drill into the soil and drop seeds at a specific depth.
• Planters: Planters are the most accurate seeders, though they tend to be the most expensive. Planters consist of several blades and wheels topped with seedboxes containing the planted seeds. The planter works by cutting into the ground, dropping individual seeds, then closing the ground behind them, all in quick succession.

Like other attachments, seeders vary in price based on the size, type and condition of the seeder. Some seeders can even seed, fertilize or spread salt all at once, depending on the needs of your applications.

5. Balers

Balers are essential for hay, straw and corn stalk collection. These tractor attachments collect these materials and wrap them into more easily manageable bales. There are three general kinds of hay balers:

• Round balers: Round balers roll hay into round shapes and then wrap it in twine or netting.
• Square balers: Square balers collect hay, straw or stalks into compactors, which help pack and compress the material into a square shape. Once the baler has enough material, it ties it with two lengths of twine or wire and then deposits it in a particular area. Square balers come in multiple sizes to work for a variety of applications. Square balers can tie bales in wire, twine or both, and you can add a bale mower attachment to make it easier to stack bales on your wagon.
• Large square balers: Large square balers function like regular square balers but handle significantly larger volumes for industrial farms. Smaller farms are better off using round or square balers unless you manage hundreds of acres.

Typically, square balers are less expensive than round balers, but the best type of baler for your farm and the wrapping method you use depends on your application. Balers can be used to collect food or bedding for livestock or collect crop yields to make them easier to transport.

6. Wagons or Trailers

Farm wagons and trailers are a necessity for any operation. Wagons and trailers are available in a wide range of sizes and materials, and they may be used for a range of purposes, including the following:

• Harvesting: Wagons and trailers may move hay bales and other harvested goods from one farm area to another.
• Material handling: Wagons are often used to move large quantities of materials, including fertilizers and feed, across large areas.
• Equipment transportation: Trailers are often equipped to move farming equipment, smaller vehicles and attachments.

Tractor wagons and trailers vary widely in size, and many operations may need multiple types to handle all the various duties involved in daily farm operations.

7. Orchard Cab

Orchard Cabs offer superior protection and comfort for your operators regardless of the environment. These cabs are designed to reduce distractions and fatigue to improve productivity and precision. Guardian and Sutter Butte both make exceptional orchard cabs that can be added to most existing tractors. They also make it easier to work on uneven terrain with their superior traction and stability. 

Some additional benefits include:

• Maximum visibility for efficient and safe work
• Heating and air conditioning for comfort
• Low profiles to protect trees and crops
• Superior finishes to withstand harsh environmental elements
• Durable steel construction

Orchard cabs are an excellent tractor addition that makes your work environment safer and more efficient.

8. Other Tractor Attachments

While the attachments listed above are the most common tractor attachments purchased, many other tractor attachments are commonly used in farming and related applications. Some of these different types of farming machinery attachments include:

• Sprayers: Sprayer attachments can spray pesticides, fertilizers and other substances across large areas. These are a must-have for any farming operation that handles large acreages.
• Mowers: Mowers are necessary for any large plot of land, but tractor owners can benefit from mower attachments. Various mower types meet a range of farm needs, from grass management to harvesting. The specific type of mower you require for your application will depend on your land, and you may need multiple attachments to attend to different areas of your property.
• Transplanters: Tractor-pulled transplanters make transplanting easy by taking large quantities of growing plants, digging holes and depositing them, all using machinery. Even small farms can benefit from transplanters by reducing manual labor and speeding up planting processes.
• Cultivators: Cultivators are used for soil cultivation, specifically in weed control. These are used for shallow tilling and are often used in smaller farming operations.
• Plastic mulch layers: For large-scale farms that use methods involving plasticulture, a plastic mulch layer tractor attachment is a necessity. This equipment takes a ream of plastic and lays it flat along the bed using a series of wheels.
• Rakes: If your farm operation involves making hay, raking attachments are essential for your tractor. Several rakes are available as pull-behind attachments, including wheel, parallel-bar, rotary and belt rakes.

You can also find backhoe tractor attachments if your application requires digging holes regularly. These attachments can dig up to 10 feet. However, renting or purchasing a standalone backhoe may be more effective for larger-scale applications.

Front-end loader attachments can also be very versatile for small to mid-size farms. While they are not an option for all tractors, these attachments can dig, move, lift heavy or bulky items, and perform land-grading tasks.

It is important to note that not all farms need all of these attachments &#; small-scale farms will need fewer types of agricultural equipment than large-scale farms, and a farm's need for specialized equipment will vary based on the local environment and farming methods used.

Choose Holt Ag Solutions

Holt Ag Solutions has the expertise and guidance to help you find the farm equipment you need. We are a leading supplier of new and used farming equipment sourced from various manufacturers. We have a diverse product line to ensure you can find what you need, including product lines like CLAAS LEXION Combines and JAGUAR Forage Harvester and AGCO's Fendt and Massey Ferguson products. Our Yuba City, Woodland and Willows locations also have Kubota tractors for sale. For those in need of a powerful utility vehicle, our Woodland, Willows, and Yuba City stores carries Kubota RTVs and our Salida store carries the full Polaris lineup. 

Holt Ag Solutions is dedicated to providing the service you need to properly maintain your farming equipment. We are a one-stop shop for all your farming equipment needs, serving Merced County to the Oregon-Washington border. Our team of experts can guide you through our product offers and what could work best for your application. We also have a top-notch service and parts department to help you properly maintain and repair your equipment. From sale to salvage, your needs are our top priority.

If you're ready to partner with a farming equipment provider that focuses on your satisfaction, contact Holt Ag Solutions today!

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