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A John Deere tractor is a major investment, but it's a quality machine that will last many years with proper care and maintenance. There are many considerations when choosing a tractor, such as how much power is needed, how it's going to be used, what type of transmission is needed, and which implements will be added.

The 2720 4WD tractor is a 24 horsepower, compact model that has a base price of $17,439.00. It's a Utility Tractor and should be sufficient for most weekend warrior needs. Not only does it covers chores like mowing, hauling and light grading and other dirt work, but with the right attachments, it can also do brush cutting, tilling, post-hole digging or loader work.

There are hundreds of implements to choose from: a front-end loader helps with any moving chore; the rotary cutter is perfect for large mowing jobs; the grade and blade attachment is great for leveling paths. The backhoe attachment is useful for planting large trees, or for any chore that requires digging a hole or a ditch. Just to give you an idea of the cost of attachments, the backhoe for this model costs $6,920. The loader is $2,430.

This tractor is open-station. However, if your tractor is going to be used in extreme weather conditions, whether in the sweltering heat or in the dead of winter, you may want to get a closed cab that can be heated or air-conditioned. The open-station option should only be used for fair-weather chores.

You will need to decide how much power you need. It's always better to have a little more power than you think you need, rather than finding out you don't have quite enough. On the other hand, more power means less fuel efficiency. Choose a transmission type that suits your skill level. You may be more comfortable with automatic transmission.

If you're spending a lot of time in the driver's seat, you may want to get the air suspension seat for maximum comfort. The standard seat can really stress out your back if it's used for hours on end. Adding all of those extras drives up the price of the tractor, but it also improves the resale value - should you ever decide to part with it.

There are many tractors available, and they can all be customized, depending on what they will be used for. To compare, the 4320 Tractor is a Utility Tractor with a 4 cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine. It's got 48 horsepower, which is quite a bit of power. The base price on this tractor is $27,199.00, so it's a considerable investment to make.

The compact model is a great tractor for basic tasks around your property, and with the $10,000 savings compared to the 4320 model, you can afford to buy an implement or two.