As technology improves, the machines and tools landscapers use on job sites continue to become more detailed and niche.
Nowadays, it seems like there’s a different tool designed to do every hyper-specific job one can think of.
But while some machines focus on getting better at just one specific task, compact utility tractors are taking another approach: getting better at almost every task.
“We have over 20 compact tractor models at John Deere,” Mark Davey, manager of marketing at John Deere, says. “They’re in that small, compact design of a compact tractor, of course, to be able to do a lot of work and still be light to get around on turf and just be able to maneuver in and out of tight spaces really well.”
Just how you like it
So, what exactly makes compact tractors so versatile? Well, Jon Richardson, director of the Yanmar America Rural Lifestyle Division, says it all lies in the attachments and implements, something Yanmar has tons of for its machines to match a wide variety of landscaping needs.
“By allowing a single machine to perform multiple tasks — such as digging, mowing, grading and material handling — attachments like loaders, backhoes and tillers eliminate the need for hauling multiple pieces of equipment to a job,” Richardson says. “This flexibility increases efficiency, reduces costs and minimizes job site downtime by enabling landscape contractors to adapt to different tasks.”
Tyler Weyenberg, Kubota product manager for utility tractors, says the wide array of attachments and machines gives landscapers more control over their jobs, allowing them to get more parts of a task done all without needing to leave the cab. And because these machines can work in all seasons, being able to stay inside away from a harsh winter breeze can feel like a lifesaver.
Plus, Davey says some attachments can even serve multiple purposes, such as John Deere’s spreaders being capable of spreading salt in the winter and fertilizer during other seasons. Ease of use is also crucial, and all three companies have their own quick-connect systems to help operators seamlessly transition between jobs and attachments.
“A vast variety of quick connect solutions is what we focus on,” Davey says. “We build them to go on and off the tractor very quickly so that if you’re a landscaper and you’re looking to be able to move between properties and to do a large variety of tasks, it’s super easy to do that the way we design these to come on and off the tractor very quickly.”
Here to help
With hundreds of front, mid and rear implements, compact tractors can sometimes be an overwhelming opportunity to pursue. However, once a contractor knows what jobs they need fulfilled, they can reach out to dealers to ask questions, explore options and sometimes get to test drive machines.
“Once you know what attachments you plan to use, you can work with your local dealer to properly spec the machine so that it can successfully run all of them,” Weyenberg says.
Virtual innovation is also a big goal for many companies, and Davey says the option to connect new and select tractor models via Bluetooth to a smartphone allows operators to see their hours worked and even set up maintenance schedules as they use their machine.
“Being able to see all that type of stuff to really stay up on the maintenance of the machine, to really keep it operating in tip top shape, is a really cool kind of new feature over the last few years,” Davey says.
