tracteurs

Tracteurs, the French term for tractors, are motor vehicles designed primarily for pulling and powering agricultural implements. They are typically diesel-powered machines that deliver high torque at low speeds, enabling tasks such as plowing, planting, and hauling. Modern tractors combine engine, transmission, hydraulic, and power take-off systems to supply power to attached implements.

The development of tractors began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with steam-powered traction engines, followed by internal combustion designs in the early 1900s. The Ferguson patent and the introduction of the three-point hitch in the 1920s accelerated the use of mounted and semi-mounted implements, transforming farm mechanization and driving further improvements in engines, transmissions, hydraulics, and four-wheel drive.

Tractors vary in size and configuration. They include standard or utility tractors for general farming, compact tractors for smallholders, high-horsepower machines for large-scale tasks, and specialized forms such as orchard or vineyard tractors. They may be wheeled or tracked, and come with two-, four-, or hydrostatic drive. Many units are equipped with front loaders, three-point hitches, and power take-off shafts for a wide range of implements.

Engines are predominantly diesel with emissions controls meeting local standards. Transmission choices include manual, automatic, or continuously variable transmissions. Modern tractors use hydraulic systems for lift and steer, and PTOs for implement power.

Safety features include rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts, and training requirements exist in many countries. Regulations cover emissions, safety, and operating standards in many regions.

Tractors have substantially increased agricultural productivity but require skilled operation and maintenance and can contribute to soil compaction if misused.