Whether you’re interested in purchasing your first tractor or you’re looking for your next one, it never hurts to keep some basic terminology in mind. The following list should come in handy.

3-Point Hitch: The 3-point hitch is used to attach rear-mounted attachments like mowers, blades, scrapers, posthole diggers, tillers and backhoes. It consists of two lift arms and one top link where pins attach the implements.

Backhoe: Used to dig holes, trenches, and ditches, the backhoe is made up of two arms and a bucket connected by hydraulic cylinders.

Box Blade: Used to move dirt and gravel, backfill or rip up compacted soil. The box blade uses two position, adjustable shanks to break up packed soil surfaces quickly for seedbed preparation or landscape maintenance.

Chassis: The framework that supports the tractor frame and guts including the engine, transmission, suspension, etc.

Drawbar: A bar on the rear of the tractor used for towing.

Fast Hitch or Quick Hitch: The quick hitch attaches to the tractor 3-point hitch allowing the operator to easily hook onto implements, without leaving the tractor seat.

Horsepower (HP): The amount of energy it takes to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second.

Hydrostatic Transmission: A hydraulically-driven transmission that offers variable speeds with the use of a foot pedal.

Implement:  Rugged, high performance work tools that can be added to the tractor to increase its job functions. These can include: loaders, backhoes, landscape tools, mowers, brooms, snow blowers and box blades.

Joystick: The joystick gives the operator complete control of front-mounted implements, such as the front end loader.

Loader: The front-end loader operates like a large shovel with the tractor’s power and weight behind it. A quick-attach design allows you to get your loader on and off quickly. The most common tool is the bucket, but other tools that work on the loader include bale spears, pallet forks, grapple fork, and weight box.

Post Hole Digger: Used to drill holes in the ground for fence posts or building piers, or to dig shallow holes for flowers, trees or shrubs.

Power Train: The Power Train transfers the power from the engine to the drive wheels and power take off (PTO). Main functions include selecting speed ratios, balancing the power to drive wheels for turning, and allowing the tractor to reverse.

PTO (Power Take Off): Used to provide power to an attachment, the PTO allows the attachment to draw energy from the tractor’s engine.

Rotary Cutter: Most commonly used to trim pastures, parks and water ways.

Stabilizers: Pads that lower to stabilize the tractor while the backhoe is in use.

Synchronized Transmission: Allows for the shifting of gears on the move without the gears clashing.

Tiller: A rotary tiller is used to till soil in preparation for planting gardens and landscaping projects. The tiller has tines that mix their way through the soil to loosen and break it up.

TLB (Tractor, Loader, Backhoe): This tractor comes with attached front end loaders and backhoes.

Transmission: A system of gears that determines the speed and direction of a tractor.

Zero Turning Radius: The ability for a tractor to turn on a dime; adding more maneuverability to the tractor.