The Tractor

A tractor is a powerful machine used on farms. It has big wheels and a strong engine. Tractors can pull plows, wagons, and other farm tools. They have made farming much easier than it used to be.

Before Tractors

Long ago, farmers used horses and oxen to pull their tools. This was slow and hard work. In the early 1900s, tractors with gasoline engines were invented. They could do the work of many horses in just a few hours.

A big, sturdy tractor ready to work on the farm.
A big, sturdy tractor ready to work on the farm. (Kharkiv Tractor Plant / Wikimedia Commons)

Modern Tractors

Today's tractors are very advanced. Some have air conditioning and computers. A few can even drive themselves using GPS. Big farms use tractors to plow, plant, and harvest crops like corn and wheat.

Fun Facts

  • The word tractor comes from a Latin word meaning to pull.
  • Some tractors have tires that are taller than a grown-up.
  • Tractor pulling is a popular sport in many countries.

Did You Know?

Some modern tractors can be controlled by a farmer's smartphone from miles away.