Give Feedback
You must enter a search term to perform a search.
December 17, 2021

Used Compact Tractors For Sale By Owner Near Me

Looking to upgrade from a lawn or garden tractor that’s not quite meeting your needs any more? Looking to invest in your first-ever tractor, and curious about what you can afford? If you’re budget-conscious, you’d be  wise to look into used tractors for sale or used tractors for sale near me.

We’ve put this post together to help you find used compact tractors for sale in your area. We’ll address two main questions:


  1. What size and type of tractor do you need (and with what features, attachments, etc.)?
  2. How much should you pay for a used compact tractor?

Let’s get to the first question.


What Size and Type of Tractor Do I Need?

The size and type of tractor you need largely depends on how many acres you have and how you plan to use the machine.


What Size Tractor Do I Need?

To make the most of your investment, you need to think about what size of tractor you’ll be happy with. If you only need a compact or subcompact tractor, for example, you don’t necessarily have much to gain by paying more for a larger, more industrial-type tractor.

What size tractor do I need for 3 acres or less?

For a single acre or two, a lawn tractor should fit your needs. These are mainly used for mowing, and they generally have 14-16 hp and a 2-3 gallon fuel tank. If you have 3 acres, you may find that a lawn tractor can handle the job, or you may want to consider a garden tractor (described below).

What size tractor do I need for 5 acres?
For 5 to 10 acres, a garden tractor’s your best bet. Compared with lawn tractors, garden tractors have 15-29 hp and a 5-6 gallon fuel tank. They’re geared toward heavier-duty jobs than lawnmowing, such as hauling manure.

You can browse MachineryPete’s under-40hp tractors—spanning manufacturers like John Deere, Kubota, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, and more—here.

What size tractor do I need for 10 acres or more?
Now we’re getting to the good stuff. When you’re working with double-digit acreage, you should be looking at compact and subcompact tractors. These machines are heavier-duty than lawn and garden tractors, without getting into the larger, more expensive territory of commercial and industrial tractors.


What Is the Difference Between a Compact Tractor and a Sub Compact Tractor? 

For the sake of comparison to lawn and garden tractors, sub-compact tractors have between 20-25 hp, and compact tractors have between 25-40 hp. While subcompact tractors boast less horsepower than compact tractors, they still come with many of the same features and capabilities. Compact tractors can handle heavier-duty usage, due to their heavier frame structure.


Common/Popular Uses for Compact Tractors

Compact tractors are exceptionally versatile, with some common uses including:


  • Brush clearing and stump removal
  • Animal management
  • Driveway and road maintenance
  • Foundation building, ditch and trench digging
  • Hauling and moving (firewood, animal feed)
  • Landscaping and gardening
  • Mowing
  • Snow removal

How Much Should I Pay for a Used Compact Tractor?

Among the factors you can expect to impact the price you’ll pay for a used compact tractor are the following:


  • The current market (supply and demand)
  • The tractor’s make, model, and year
  • The tractor’s size and classification (e.g., subcompact, compact)
  • Horsepower
  • Attachments and implements (what’s included, and what can be added)
  • Hours of use, extent of wear and tear
  • Where (and how) the tractor has been stored, maintained


Let Machinery Pete Help You Find Used Compact Tractors in Your Area 

With Machinery Pete, shopping for the best compact tractor for your needs is easier than you might imagine. From our homepage, you can search for a specific tractor (by its make, model, and year) or keywords related to what you’re looking for.

You can also find used farm equipment by using our search tool. To perform a quick search, use the four drop-down menus to:

  • Select a category (e.g., Grain Handling, Harvesting, Loaders and Lifts)
  • Select a subcategory (options vary based on category selected)
  • Select a make (from available inventory)
  • Select a model (from available inventory)

If you’re more of a browser, then we recommend browsing by category. At a glance, you can see the categories and subcategories of our inventory, and browse what’s available. Once you select a category or subcategory, you’ll be taken to a page where you can browse the inventory and refine results by subcategories or manufacturer, or view the most recently-added listings.

Once you’ve had a chance to browse, be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions at all!