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