Choosing and purchasing agricultural intelligent tractors requires a comprehensive consideration of actual farming needs, core technical performance, brand after-sales service, and cost-effectiveness. It also involves on-site inspections and policy utilization. The following is a detailed step-by-step guide to help you make a rational purchase decision:
Clarify farming demands to lock basic product positioning
Determine matching power based on farm scale: For small - scale operations such as family farms or orchards with an area of less than 50 acres, compact intelligent tractors with 20 - 50 horsepower are sufficient.
They can handle shallow ploughing, sowing, and small - scale pesticide spraying. For medium - sized farms of 50 - 200 acres, tractors with 50 - 100 horsepower are preferred, which can meet conventional farming, seeding, and traction of small harvesters.
Large - scale commercial farms over 200 acres should choose large intelligent tractors with more than 100 horsepower, which can efficiently complete heavy tasks like deep ploughing of large areas and traction of large agricultural machinery.
Select functional configurations according to operation types: If the main tasks are ploughing and deep loosening in compact soil, focus on the tractor's traction and continuous power output, and give priority to models matching professional ploughing tools.
For precise operations such as seeding and fertilizing, select tractors with an advanced electronic control system that can accurately control the seeding and fertilizing amount.
For orchard and greenhouse operations, choose small intelligent tractors with a compact body, adjustable wheelbase, and low center of gravity to facilitate movement in narrow spaces.
Confirm driving mode based on terrain conditions: For flat plains, 2WD or 4WD intelligent tractors can be selected according to the operation scale. In hilly and mountainous areas or muddy paddy fields, 4WD intelligent tractors are necessary because of their strong traction and passability.
For wetland or soft sandy land, crawler - type intelligent tractors are more suitable as they have a large ground contact area and can prevent subsidence.
Evaluate core technical indicators to ensure intelligent performance
Intelligent navigation and operation system: The core of an intelligent tractor lies in its automatic operation capability. Prioritize models equipped with Beidou or GPS - RTK navigation systems, which can ensure that the operation path error is minimized.
Meanwhile, check whether it has functions such as automatic path planning and obstacle avoidance based on computer vision and LiDAR. These functions can realize unattended operation and reduce repeated operations.
Data - connecting and analyzing capabilities: Excellent intelligent tractors should be integrated with the Internet of Things and cloud platforms.
They can collect real - time data such as soil moisture, crop growth, and fuel consumption during operation and transmit it to the cloud. In this way, farmers can make decisions on precise fertilization and irrigation through data analysis.
In addition, check whether it supports data sharing with other intelligent agricultural equipment to form a systematic operation chain.
Power system and energy efficiency: For regions with convenient power supply, fully electric intelligent tractors are environmentally friendly and have low operating costs. For remote areas, hybrid models (diesel - electric) or solar - assisted hybrid intelligent tractors are more reliable. Moreover, pay attention to the power take - off (PTO) performance, which directly affects the stability of supporting equipment such as seeders and sprayers during operation.
Man - machine interaction and operational comfort: A good man - machine interaction design can improve operation efficiency. It is advisable to choose models with graphical touch screens, voice control, or multilingual operation interfaces. For long - time operation, an ergonomic cab with sound insulation, shock absorption, and adjustable seats can reduce the driver's fatigue.
Screen brands and pay attention to after - sales support
Prioritize well - known brands with good reputation: Brands with mature technology and a high market share are more reliable in quality. For example, the John Deere 5E series is suitable for small and medium - sized farms, and the Case Magnum series is suitable for large - scale heavy - duty operations.
Domestic brands such as Lovol and Dongfanghong also have high - cost - performance intelligent tractor models, which are more in line with the operating habits of local farmers.
Investigate the after - sales service system: Intelligent tractors involve complex electronic components, so timely after - sales service is crucial. Confirm whether the brand has authorized service outlets in the local area, and understand the response speed of fault repair. In addition, find out whether the manufacturer provides services such as remote diagnosis and maintenance, as well as the supply of spare parts.
A sufficient supply of spare parts can reduce the downtime caused by equipment failure.
Check product certification and technical training: Ensure that the tractor meets local emission and safety standards such as CE and EPA to avoid risks such as being unable to register for use. At the same time, choose manufacturers that can provide technical training. They can help operators master intelligent functions such as automatic operation and data analysis, so as to give full play to the tractor's performance.
Calculate the total cost and make use of preferential policies
Comprehensively assess the total cost of ownership (TCO): Do not only focus on the initial purchase price. We should also calculate the long - term costs, including energy consumption, maintenance fees, and the cost of spare parts. Although the initial price of some high - end intelligent tractors is high, their energy - saving and reliable performance can reduce subsequent costs, and the investment can be recovered in 2 - 3 years generally.
Make use of agricultural subsidy policies: Many countries and regions have subsidy policies for the purchase of intelligent agricultural machinery to reduce the purchase burden.
Before purchasing, consult the local agricultural department to confirm whether the target model is included in the subsidy catalog, and understand the application process and subsidy amount.
Consider flexible purchase methods: If the funds are tight, you can choose installment payment or leasing. Some manufacturers or financial institutions cooperate to launch agricultural machinery loan services with preferential interest rates. Leasing is suitable for short - term or seasonal operation needs, which can avoid the idle waste of equipment.
Conduct on - site inspection and test operation before finalizing the purchase
Inspect product details: Check whether the tractor's appearance, castings, and sheet metal parts are free of defects such as cracks and blemishes. At the same time, verify whether the engine, gearbox, and hydraulic system have oil leakage. In addition, confirm that the product's certificate, invoice, and other documents are complete, which is convenient for subsequent after - sales and subsidy application.
Carry out test operation: Through test operation, experience the flexibility of the tractor's steering, the smoothness of gear shifting, and the response speed of the intelligent system. For example, test the accuracy of the automatic navigation operation and the sensitivity of the obstacle avoidance function.
Also, check whether the data transmission between the equipment and the cloud platform is smooth to ensure that all intelligent functions can operate normally.
