First-Time Tractor Buyer? Here’s What You Need to Know

First-Time Tractor Buyer? Here’s What You Need to Know

Have you found yourself in situations where owning a tractor would be useful, but you’ve never owned a tractor and have no idea where to start? LS Tractors are growing in popularity, especially for first time tractor buyers because our brand offers a variety of horsepower ranges, features, and capabilities, as well as modern technology, simple maintenance, and of course, affordability. Our slogan, “Start Blue, Stay Blue”, is a testimony that many first-time tractor buyers not only start with an LS Tractor, but they also continue with our brand for years to come. Let’s look at the most important things to consider when narrowing down your tractor purchase.

Probably the most important thing to determine is your need for a tractor. This should include both current needs as well as long-term and future projects. You must consider the size of your property, the tasks that will require a tractor, and the horsepower requirements for those tasks. Does your property have hills or is it flat? Is it a lot of acreage or is it small? Will you do fieldwork, plowing, lifting, hauling, towing, or cultivating? Will you need to travel through tight spaces such as barn doors or gates? By considering your terrain and your desired tasks, this will help narrow down the type of tractor and attachments needed to get the job done. A general rule of thumb is to purchase a tractor with enough horsepower to handle your property size and the implements you will be using.

LS Tractor offers a large range of tractor sizes and capabilities. Generally, our tractors can be divided into four categories; sub compact, small compact, compact, and utility:

LS Sub Compact Tractors

• MT1 Series (21-25HP)
• Strong tractors but smaller in size
• Easy to maneuver in tight spaces
• Ideal for homeowners, hobby farming, or small ranches
• User friendly with great standard features

LS Small Compact Tractors

• XJ and MT2S (25HP)
• Strength and durability for more daily work hours
• Large number of implements and attachments available
• Ideal for hauling dirt, mowing and home projects
• A little more power than sub compact for more demanding tasks around your property

LS Compact Tractors (25-57HP)

• MT2 and MT3 Series
• Efficient and reliable workhorses to manage lighter commercial tasks around your property
• Ideal for hauling small loads, crop work, removing snow, maintaining roads and more
• Large variety of horsepower ranges
• More features and capabilities with implements and attachments

LS Utility Tractors

MT4, MT5, and MT7 Series (58-101HP)
• Versatile and specifically designed for heavy duty tasks
• Completes jobs efficiently and comfortably – more bells and whistles
• Strong enough for the most demanding tasks
• Ideal for large scale operations like tilling, planting, harvesting, moving materials, bailing hay, livestock, hauling and anything in between

The tractor purchase is not the only consideration. You must also determine necessary attachments to accomplish the jobs you need completed. LS Tractor provides a diverse selection of 3-point hitch attachments that will boost the versatility and performance of your tractor, and our durable implements are engineered to handle tough tasks with dependable results. Take a look at the attachments LS Tractor offers, and how each one could be beneficial to your needs:

Front end loader: versatile implement to lift and carry heavy loads such as soil, gravel, sand or debris
Backhoe: various applications that involve plowing, breaking, ripping, digging or drilling
Mower and/or rotary cutter: mowers cut grass to provide clean lawn maintenance over a large area, where rotary cutters are designed for cutting more dense, rough plant material like thick pastures or areas with brush
Box blade: helps break and move soil for leveling and grading
Land grader: levels land surfaces for construction, trail/road maintenance, and landscaping
Rake grapple: claw-like and useful for picking up and moving debris, rocks, branches or other large items
Root grapple: grasps and moves larger more difficult items such as tree stumps, logs, or boulders
Tiller: important for gardening as it can break up and aerate soil for planting, mix organic matter and help with weed maintenance
Snow blower: picks up snow and moves it to the side to clear driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, farm areas, and pathways

When considering a tractor purchase, always ensure that the tractor model you select can accommodate the specific tractor attachments required to get the job done. Once you have determined the tractor type and attachments you will need, it’s time to consider your budget. It is important to figure out how much you are willing to spend and what you can afford. Being knowledgeable about your tractor needs and having a predetermined budget will assist your dealer in making the appropriate recommendations. LS Tractor dealerships offer a variety of financing opportunities and work hard to find an offer that meets your budget.

Now that you know your routine tasks and projects that require a tractor, the attachments needed, and the amount you can afford to spend, it’s finally time to choose a dealership. LS Tractor has over 300 dealerships in the United States. Location is certainly something to consider when selecting a dealership, but some additional things to research include:

Inventory: Try to find a dealership with an extensive selection of tractors that fit various needs. You will need to be open and honest when communicating your present and long-term needs for this tractor with your dealer.
Ownership: Most LS Tractor dealerships are family-owned businesses. This can make a difference in the service you will get. Always buy from someone you trust. The facility should be customer friendly and organized.
Support: The services provided should be clear. You need reliability and quick service if you break down. Choosing a dealer is electing a long-term business partner and they should prioritize helping you stay productive. Make sure they offer scheduled maintenance and repairs to keep your machine running efficiently.

With the versatility and utility of LS Tractors, you are sure to find one that fits your needs. A tractor purchase is certain to increase your productivity and better manage your property. Just think of the daily jobs and projects you can tackle yourself with an LS Tractor, today and for years to come! You now have the knowledge to begin your first tractor purchase, and we are confident you will be happy to “Start Blue” and “Stay Blue”!

Published on June 3, 2025 and written by Kimberly Steele