| Garden tractors are a very useful piece of | | | | |
| kit. Selecting a model that is right for your | | | | Â- The tractor should always be |
| plot and knowing how to operate it safely | | | | purposefully designed for the tasks you are |
| will ensure you get the most out of your new | | | | using it for, and well maintained. |
| machine. | | | | |
| | | | Â- Always wear your seat belt to be |
| Garden Tractors: A Useful Tool For Gardeners | | | | protected though it won't help much if the |
| | | | tractor ends up upside down. |
| Looking at the historical development of | | | | |
| tractors, the piece that follows is aimed at | | | | Â- Check out the route on foot first for |
| non-professional gardeners looking for useful | | | | possible problems especially if you are |
| tips on how to select the right tractor to | | | | planning to drive fully loaded on an |
| maintain their garden, how to operate it | | | | unfamiliar path for any significant distance. |
| safely and save fuel. | | | | |
| | | | Â- Always remain focused on what you are |
| The Early Days | | | | doing, and keep your eyes firmly on the job. |
| | | | |
| Steam engine garden tractors first appeared | | | | Â- Don't EVER give a ride to anyone on a |
| in the late 1800s, followed just before World | | | | garden tractor. |
| War I by diesel engines. They were soon found | | | | |
| of great use in farms by making | | | | Â- Check that the tractor is stable when |
| labor-intensive tasks such as digging and | | | | in parked position, and always use the hand |
| moving soil significantly easier. | | | | brake if there is a chance its own weight |
| | | | could cause it to move. |
| Choosing the Right Garden Tractor For Your | | | | |
| Plot | | | | How to Save Fuel |
| | | | |
| The model you chose mostly depend on the size | | | | Â- Always keep your tractor in |
| of the plot you are looking at cultivating | | | | well-maintained condition. |
| and maintaining with it. A small tiller with | | | | |
| around 2 to 3 HP would be fine for a plot of | | | | Â- The tractor should be serviced on a |
| lass than an acre, but you may want to invest | | | | regular basis to ensure the fuel filters are |
| in a more powerful machine of 15 to 20 HP for | | | | changed and the injectors clean. The use of |
| anything bigger than 5 acres, especially if | | | | fuel additive may help lower the servicing |
| you intend to move large rocks with it. If | | | | frequency. |
| you can get a contractor to remove the stones | | | | |
| as a one-off job a smaller tractor may be | | | | Â- Air filters should also be kept |
| fine for general garden upkeep. | | | | cleaned and replaced at intervals as like |
| | | | fuel filters they have a significant effect |
| Operating Your Tractor Safely | | | | on fuel efficiency. |
| | | | |
| It is essential to follow a few easy safety | | | | Â- Finally the tractor should not be made |
| rule to avoid accidents as even a minor | | | | to carry a greater load than that it is |
| mishap could make it difficult for you to get | | | | designed for. |
| help. | | | | |