Why is a Diesel Tractor better?
Why buy a tractor vs. a lawnmower?
Japanese tractor facts
What do the size dimensions for tractors refer to?
What is a PTO?
What is a PTO Overrun Clutch?
What is a Hydraulic Lift?
Why should everyone own a Box Blade?
What is a ROPS?
Do these tractors come with a warranty?
Can these tractors be shipped?
Is there any assembly required?
Do I need a shipping dock?
How do I order a tractor?

Why is a Diesel Tractor better?
Diesel engines are strong, simple, low maintenance, and fuel efficient. Diesel engines operate at lower rpm, increasing fuel economy and reducing wear on internal parts. They have a very wide flat powerband…in other words, they produce near maximum power across the entire rpm range. Gasoline engines are more "peaky". Reliability is greatly enhanced thanks to a diesel engine's lack of spark plugs, carburetors, and complicated ignition system. If you've burned up a gasoline riding lawn mower or two, it's time to graduate to a diesel powered tractor.

Why buy a tractor vs. a lawnmower?
A riding lawn mower is a single purpose tool. A tractor is a multi-purpose tool. With a tractor you can operate a brush mower, finish mower, post hole digger, backhoe, log splitter, front end loader, tiller, disc, plow, landscape rake, grader blade, box blade, and pull a trailer. In addition, you'll get many more years of service with less maintenance from a diesel engine tractor than you will from a gasoline engine mower. And with RCO Tractor's unbeatable prices, you can own a true Tractor, with diesel power and hydraulic lift for less than the price of a quality riding lawnmower.

Japanese tractor facts
Japanese manufacturers build the best diesel tractors in the world. That’s why all the most reputable American brands have sourced engines, if not whole tractors, from Japanese builders for many years.

The Japanese government provides incentives to encourage farmers to purchase new tractors, while progressively increasing fees on older tractors discourage farmers from keeping them.

Japanese farmers use their tractors primarily for rototilling and other constant rpm operations that are very easy on the machine. The seasonal nature of this type of work means that 20 - 30 year old tractors with very low hours of operation are common.

These factors create a buyers market for used tractors in Japan. Thousands of used tractors enter the market every year and they can be purchased in volume at very attractive prices and shipped in containers to the U.S.

A properly maintained Japanese diesel tractor can have a realistic service life of 10,000 hours. Ours have had only a small fraction of that usage. For example, approximately 2/3 of the Yanmar tractors we buy have less than 1300 original hours, and only a rare few will be over 2000 hours. Considering that the average U.S. tractor hobbyist puts 50 - 100 hours per year on their tractor, it’s no exaggeration to say that most of our tractors will last longer than the owners. If that sounds morbid, we apologize….but it's true.

What do the size dimensions for tractors refer to?
Width = outside of rear tires
Height = ground to top of exhaust pipe
Length = front bumper to 3-point arms in the horizontal position

What is a PTO?
PTO stands for Power Take Off. It is the splined shaft that extends from the rear of the tractor's chassis, and provides drive power to rear mounted implements such as mowers and tillers.

What is a PTO Over-run Clutch?
A PTO Over-run Clutch is a ratcheting mechanism that slips onto the PTO shaft on the back of the tractor, and the driveshaft of your rotary implement slips onto the male end of the clutch. The best way to understand what it does is to understand what happens if you don't use one. Without the clutch, several undesirable things happen when you're using a brush mower.

1) Safety: When you want to stop the tractor, and step on the clutch to do so, the momentum of the mower blades will continue turning the mower driveshaft, and in turn, the PTO and transmission of the tractor. This produces "mower push". It will take several feet for you and the tractor to come to a stop because of this mower push, which is obviously not a safe situation.

2) Convenience: If you're mowing, and want to change to a different gear, you will have to stop the tractor, and then wait several moments while the mower spins down to allow you to shift without grinding gears.

3) Wear and tear: Having the overrun clutch installed will minimize transmission wear and tear that can result from the 2 situations mentioned above.

You can leave the clutch installed when using other PTO driven implements, but you really need it primarily for operating a brush mower. The clutch that RCO sells is a heavy-duty unit that you can install and remove in seconds with no tools, and can be easily lubricated with a common grease gun. You can see a picture of an over-run clutch, and order one here.

What is a Hydraulic Lift? Your tractor has a hydraulic pump which uses the hydraulic/transmission oil in the tractor's transmission to create hydraulic pressure for raising and lowering implements on the rear 3pt lift, and also for operating a front end loader.

Why should everyone own a Box Blade?
A box blade is probably the single most versatile implement you can own. A box blade with dual reversible blades is affordable and will last forever. You can move earth, landscape, build a road, grade your road, level ground, and use it as a bulldozer. LOADER SAFETY: In addition, a box blade is the most useful and effective way to add counterweight to the back of your tractor when operating a front end loader. Even our smallest loaders will have a lift capacity of 800 pounds, but you'll never approach that in real world conditions without counterweight on the back of the tractor to keep your rear wheels on the ground. A heavy duty box blade is the best way to achieve that. It's more effective than fluid in the rear tires because a box blade sits lower and farther to the rear. Even the smallest Howse Rigid Box Blade adds almost 400 pounds of very effective counterweight, not to mention the fact that you've got a mini-dozer when you shift the tractor into reverse......Very Handy!

What is a ROPS?
ROPS, or Rollover Protective Structure, is a cab or frame that provides a safe environment for the tractor operator in the event of a rollover.

• The ROPS frame must pass a series of static and dynamic crush tests. These tests examine the ability of the ROPS to withstand various loads to see if the protective zone around the operator station remains intact in an overturn.

• The ROPS must meet standards, such as those set forth by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), which certify they provide adequate protection in a tractor upset. If the ROPS is certified, there will be a certification label on the unit.

• A homemade bar attached to the tractor axle, or simple canopy mount, cannot protect the operator if the tractor overturns.

• ROPS affords some safety during tractor overturns, but operators need more protection. All operators of tractors equipped with ROPS must wear seat belts. Without a seat belt, the operator will not be confined to the protective zone. Additionally, ROPS are not a substitute for common sense, caution, and exercising proper operating procedures.

• RCO Tractor offers OSHA certified folding ROPS as optional equipment on most of our Yanmar tractors, with more models under development. Our ROPS are specially designed, tested, and certified for each tractor model, and the seatbelt is included in the kit. Their folding feature allows access to low clearance areas. These ROPS kits are available for purchase separately so that you can retrofit them to an existing tractor. Check our Safety Equipment page for compatibility and ordering information.

Do these tractors come with a Warranty?
Yes, all RCO Tractors come with a ONE YEAR Parts & Labor Warranty.

Can these tractors be shipped?
Yes, RCO has shipped tractors to New York and to Dixie….to Alaska and Las Vegas. We work hard to secure the lowest possible shipping rates and the greatest flexibility in delivery. Please see our shipping page for more details.

Is there any assembly required?
No, when you receive your RCO tractor, it's ready to go! We take care of all implement installations for you before your tractor leaves our warehouse. The one exception to this rule is a post hole digger. They do not travel well when assembled. "PHD's" arrive in 3 pieces, and require you to perform a very simple assembly using basic tools.

Do I need a shipping dock?
No. You do not need a shipping dock or terminal to receive your RCO tractor. Our driver will unload your tractor and implements to the ground for you. However, if you do have access to a loading dock please let us know. We may be able to get you an even better shipping rate.

How do I order a tractor?
1. Pick out the tractor and implements you want.
2. Contact us to confirm the details of your order.
3. We arrange shipping.
4. We send you written confirmation of your order and take your payment.
5. Your tractor is shipped with implements installed, is unloaded for you and ready to work.