Equipment by Crop and Task

Start from the job, the crop, the acres you will actually work, the terrain and the labor you have. These guides describe equipment categories and the questions to ask, not a shopping list, and they explain when renting, sharing or hiring a custom operator makes more sense than buying.

Acreage bands are a starting point only. Confirm compatibility (PTO horsepower, hitch category, hydraulics, lift capacity, working width) against the manufacturer's current specifications and the operator's manual.

In editorial review

These guides are written and waiting for editorial and specialist review. We do not publish agronomic or technical guidance before it is reviewed.

  • Grazing and Ranch Equipment: Fencing, Water, Handling and Feeding Decisions How to think through fencing, water delivery, working facilities, feeding, pasture maintenance and local support services before equipping a grazing or ranch property.
  • Hay and Forage Equipment: Mowing, Drying, Baling and Storage Decisions How to think through mowing, conditioning, tedding, raking, baling, handling and storage for hay and forage, and when hiring or sharing beats owning a full line.
  • Market Vegetable Equipment: Questions to Ask Before You Buy, Rent or Hire How to think through tillage, planting, irrigation, cultivation, harvest, washing and cold storage for a market vegetable farm, and when to rent, share or hire out.
  • Orchard and Berry Equipment: Establishment, Care and Harvest Decisions How to think through site preparation, trellis, irrigation, pruning, mowing, spraying, harvest and postharvest cooling for orchards and berry plantings.
  • Property Maintenance Equipment: Tractors, Mowers, Loaders and Storage How to think through material handling, mowing, lane and access upkeep and equipment storage for a rural property, and when renting or hiring beats owning.
  • Row Crop and Small Grain Equipment: Own, Share or Hire Custom Work How to think through tillage, planting, crop management, harvest and grain handling for corn, soybeans and small grains, and when custom operators make more sense than owning.