The birth of the tractor was a major milestone in the history of human agricultural development. From the perspective of structural types, the tractor family is rather large. Wheeled tractors are the “big family” among them, and the common types include rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive tractors have the front wheels responsible for steering and the rear wheels providing the driving force. They have a simple structure and are suitable for high-speed field operations and road transportation. The ground clearance of the front axle is relatively high, and the wheelbase adjustment is convenient, which is conducive to interrow tillage operations. However, their adaptability is not good when working in soft and moist soil or on cross slopes. The four-wheel drive tractor has both the front and rear wheels as drive wheels, with a large load capacity. It is suitable for operation with front loaders and other front-suspended machinery. It also has a relatively high agronomic ground clearance and can be used for intertillage. However, its structure is relatively complex and the manufacturing cost is relatively high.
Tractors play a key role in all aspects of agricultural production. When ploughing, it can be connected to equipment such as plows and rotary tillers, turning over and loosening hard soil. It can be deeply ploughed up to tens of centimeters, making the soil loose and well-ventilated, creating a favorable soil environment for crop growth, and greatly improving the efficiency of ploughing, which is far beyond the reach of human and animal power.
In the future, it is believed that tractors will continue to integrate cutting-edge technologies, with more powerful functions and more efficient and environmentally friendly postures, continuously injecting impetus into global agricultural development and safeguarding human food security and a better life.