Agriculture

Practical ag advice you can use

How-to guidance, maintenance checklists, and real-world tips for tractors, implements, UTVs, and farm equipment—written for people who run gear every day.

Tractor working a field at dusk
What you’ll find

Advice built for working equipment

Clear, scannable guidance that helps you choose, use, and maintain equipment with fewer surprises.

Maintenance schedules

Service intervals, fluids, filters, and seasonal checklists you can follow.

Troubleshooting

Common symptoms, likely causes, and what to check before calling a tech.

Setup and operation

Ballast, tire pressure, hitch setup, and safe operating basics.

Implements and attachments

Match implements to tractor size, hydraulics, and the work you actually do.

Ownership costs

What maintenance, wear items, and downtime really cost over time.

Buying smarter

What to inspect, questions to ask, and how to compare options.

Popular topics

Start with these guides

Quick entry points to the most common questions we hear from farmers and landowners.

Farmer repairing a combine harvester in a field

Tractor maintenance

Daily checks, 50-hour service, and seasonal prep to keep uptime high.

Read maintenance tips
Aerial view of harvesting equipment working in a field

Implements and setup

Hitching, PTO basics, hydraulic hookups, and getting the right ballast.

See operating guides
Combine and tractor working together at sunset

Buying and ownership

Inspection checklists, dealer questions, and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Explore buying checklists

Ag advice FAQs

Quick answers to common equipment questions. (Always follow your operator’s manual and local safety requirements.)

How often should I service my tractor?

Use the operator’s manual as the baseline. Most tractors have daily checks plus 50-hour, 200-hour, and annual service intervals. If you run dusty conditions, heavy loader work, or short trips, expect to service more often.

What’s the biggest mistake with implements?

Mismatching the implement to the tractor’s weight, PTO horsepower, and hydraulic capacity. The tractor may “pull it,” but stability, braking, and driveline load are where problems show up.

Do I need ballast for loader work?

In most cases, yes. Proper rear ballast improves stability, steering control, and braking. Options include filled rear tires, wheel weights, or a ballast box/implement—choose based on your work and transport needs.

How do I compare two tractors fairly?

Compare operating weight, hydraulic flow at the remotes, loader lift at full height, 3-point lift at the ball ends, transmission type, and dealer support. Specs alone don’t tell the whole story—ergonomics and service access matter too.

What should I check on used equipment?

Hours vs. wear, cold start behavior, hydraulic leaks, tire condition, pins/bushings, PTO engagement, and maintenance records. Also look for signs of overheating or contaminated fluids. If possible, test under load.

Are aftermarket parts worth it?

Sometimes. For filters and wear items, reputable aftermarket can be a good value. For critical drivetrain, hydraulic, and safety-related parts, OEM is often the safer choice—especially if warranty or downtime risk is high.