Compact tractor: What’s right for you?

Jun 29, 2023

Looking to work smarter, not harder? A compact tractor could be the game changer your farm or acreage has been looking for. Prized for their small-but-mighty stature, compact tractors make a big impact — handling large acreage and tackling tasks with ease.

“Compact tractors boast the benefits of a large ag tractor in just a fraction of the size,” says turf equipment and compact tractor specialist at AKRS Equipment Nick Wessel, who unpacks why compact is the way to go.

Power take-off, or simply PTO — a means of using power from a running engine to operate an auxiliary attachment — is the driving force behind the popularity of compact tractors.

“A compact tractor comes with more options than an actual mower, from loader and lift capacity to rear attachments,” Wessel says of the John Deere 1 through 4 Series Compact Utility Tractors.

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Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.