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Tractor Terms

The following is a list of terms and abbreviations with definitions unique to tractors.

3-point Hitch. A popular standardized mechanism for attaching implements, consisting of an adjustable top (pivot) link centered above two lower (lifting) links. Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 refers to both the size of the connecting pins and the strength of the components, with category 0 being the smallest (often seen on garden tractors and implements) and category 3 being the largest (often seen on large agricultural equipment). It is usual for the 3PH to supply lifting force via the hydraulic system, to raise an implement, but rare for it to exert downward force.

AC. Allis-Chalmers, an ex-manufacturer of tractors in the US.

Articulated body. A tractor body that flexes in the middle to provide a tighter turning radius.

Brush Hog. A generic term for field mowing, aka shredding. Also used to refer to the field mower itself -- a heavy-bladed, rotary mower usually connected to the 3PH at the rear of the tractor, used to rough-cut fields and pastures. "Bush Hog" is sometimes used interchangeably, although this is the brand name of an implement manufacturer.

Calcium. Short for calcium chloride-water solution used to fill tractor tires for ballast.

CHA (CAH). Enclosed cab equipped with heat and air conditioning.

Crawler. A vehicle equipped with tracks or treads, like a tank.

Differential Lock. A device for temporarily locking the rear differential to achieve better traction.

Draft Control. A mechanical linkage that automatically adjusts the towing characteristics of an implement like a 3PH plow.

Drawbar. A flat horizontal bar attached to the rear of the tractor, used for dragging or towing. May be attached to the frame at a fixed height, providing the ability to vary the distance between the tractor and implement to be towed. Alternatively, may be attached between the lower links of the 3PH to provide variable height, but at a fixed distance from the tractor.

EROPS. Enclosed ROPS. AKA cab or heated cab with ROPS.

Fast Hitch. AKA Quick Hitch. An alternative, two-point mechanism for attaching implements, in which two bayonet arms on the implement fit into two receivers on the rear of the tractor. Incompatible with three point hitch. Often seen on industrial tractors.

Finish Mower. A rotary mower attachment used to cut lawns.

FOPS. Falling Objects Protective Structure. A heavy duty structure for protection of the machine operator from falling objects. Usually has 4 posts and a strong roof.

Grey market tractor. A used tractor, usually a compact diesel, imported from a foreign country, usually Japan.

Grousers. Cleats on crawler tractor treads to improve traction.

Hydraulics. A system of pressurized oil which provides power for raising and lowering the 3PH and which can be used to operate attached or towed implements having hydraulic pistons and cylinders. "Live" hydraulics maintain oil pressure to the system even when the clutch is disengaged.

Hydrostatic transmission. A hydraulic transmission which varies the tractor's forward or reverse speed within a gear range based on pressure applied to a lever or pedal. Also allows instant transition between forward and reverse direction without the use of a clutch.

IH or IHC. International Harvester Corporation. Now a subsidiary of Case Corporation.

Implement. A tool or device that attaches to or is towed by a tractor.

JD. John Deere.

Loader. A bucket loader attachment, usually hydraulically operated and front-mounted. Light weight models are used for scooping and moving loose materials, such as manure, gravel, snow, etc. Heavier weight models can be used for digging. Loader is also used to refer to an industrial machine equipped with a front bucket.

MF. Massey-Ferguson. A US tractor manufacturer. Now a subsidiary of AGCO Corp.

MFWD. Mechanical Front Wheel Drive. 4 wheel drive.

NF(E). Narrow Front (End). AKA tricycle. Two rear wheels far apart and a single front wheel or two front wheels close together. Advantage: very tight turning radius. Disadvantage: easily tipped over on slopes. Tractors are no longer manufactured with narrow front ends.

Overrunning Clutch. A safety mechanism which allows a heavy implement, such as a brush hog to "spin down" without energizing the tractor drivetrain. Essential for the safe operation of older tractors such as Ford 2N, 8N or 9N.

Pony Engine. A small engine which is used to start a larger one.

PTO. Power Take-Off. An extension of the drive train that allows power to be mechanically transfered to other machinery or implements via a removable driveshaft with splined couplings. PTOs can be located in the rear, middle (belly), front and/or, rarely, side of the tractor. Some standards exist for PTO speeds and driveshaft connections, as described in the table below. Unfortunately, some manufacturers have chosen to create their own "proprietary standards," which can make interoperability of implements difficult. "Live" PTOs continue to rotate independently of the tractor drivetrain. "Semi-live" PTOs can be engaged and disengaged in conjunction with the tractor drivetrain by operation of a two-stage clutch.

# Splines Min RPM Max RPM
6 540 858
21 1000 2455
Other ??? ???
Remotes. Hydraulic inlet/outlet pairs at different locations on the tractor for connecting hydraulically operated implements.

Ripper. Large, heavy hooks behind the tractor for ripping roots or brush. Commonly used on bulldozers clearing land.

ROPS. Roll Over Protective Structure. A roll bar or similar device to help protect the driver in case the machine tips over.

Scarifier. An implement for breaking up the top surface of soil.

Self-Energizing Brakes. Brakes which use the tractor's momentum to increase braking force.

SMV Emblem. The ubiquitous orange triangle symbol, which denotes a Slow Moving Vehicle. Required on the rear of farm machinery being driven on public roadways as a caution to traffic approaching from the rear.

Suburban Tractor. A lawn or garden tractor.

Sulky. A small, one- or two-wheeled platform towed by a walk-behind machine on which the operator can stand or sit.

Thumb. An attachment for a backhoe that allows material to be grasped with the bucket. See example.

TLB. Tractor-Loader-Backhoe. A tractor, usually industrial, equipped with a front mounted loader and rear mounted backhoe.

Tribology. The science of interacting surfaces, encompassing the fields of friction, lubrication, and wear.

Walking Tractor. A two-wheeled tractor which is operated by someone walking behind it. Also called a walk-behind tractor.

Weights. Ballast added to the tractor or implement to improve balance, traction, stability or digging force. Tractor weights include calcium solution in the tires (usually rear only) to improve traction and/or balance when using a loader, suitcase weights -- slabs of iron held together by a U-shaped bolt and attached to the tractor frame, wheel weights -- circular or semi-circular slabs of iron secured by the wheel lugs, and a weight box -- a rigid box attached to the rear of the tractor, filled with small stones or wet sand, to improve balance when using a loader. Implement weights include sand bags, cement blocks, large rocks, etc.

WF(E). Wide Front (End). All four wheels where they oughtta be.

Zerk Fitting. A fitting or nipple provided for injecting grease into a mechanism.

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