Tractor Rental Rates Per Hour - How Can You Get Your Tractor Cheaper?

Tractors are an important part of any agricultural business. They're powerful machines built to move easily over dirt roads and fields. Pretty much any sort of farm work is made easier with the addition of a tractor, be it plowing, tilling, planting, spraying, or moving. Tractors have become a symbol of farming or construction work. 

However, tractors can be very expensive investments. You might not have tens of thousands of dollars available to invest in a new tractor. There's also the fact that many business owners find themselves needing a tractor only for a few days, or even hours at a time, rather than year-round. Renting a tractor by the hour can often prove expensive, however. 

In this article, we'll share some tips on how to rent a tractor as cheaply as possible. We'll also help you decide whether buying or renting a tractor is the right choice for you.

The average hourly rate for a tractor is $20 in the USA but it will vary according to the type of tractor. Sometimes, it's wiser to rent a tractor for a couple of days paying around $300 per one day or even less if you rent It for a week or more.

How Can You Rent Your Tractor Cheaper?

Renting a good quality tractor is often a dreaded expense for farmers and construction workers. Despite rates seemingly getting higher every year, you can still make use of some simple techniques to get a better deal. It's all a matter of knowing the right things to look out for.

1) Look Around

Make sure you look around thoroughly before making any decisions. Don't just settle for the first rental company you find. Take your time to search through your different options, both locally and online, then compare their prices and services. This way you can rest assured that you aren't missing out on a good deal somewhere else.

2) Negotiate

Don't be afraid to negotiate your tractor rental rate. You'd be surprised how much money you can save with a little bit of haggling. If you've come across competitors with a lower price, you can try to find out if the rental company can match or even beat their price.

Many people find that it's easier to negotiate rental rates in person. You can try this if you're renting from a local company.

3) Rent an Older Tractor Model

When renting a tractor, you might notice that the newer models come at a heavier price than the older builds. 

Sure, older models lack a lot of fancy features and technology that newer models come with, but you might not need them. You understand best what your requirements are, so make sure you don't overspend renting a newer model with features you'll never use.

Depending on the task you need your tractor for, you can save a considerable amount of money by renting an older model.

4) Rent During Off-Peak Periods 

Tractor rental rates can vary a lot depending on the time of year. Try to rent your tractor before peak periods. 

Rental prices climb when there's a lot of demand. You'll usually see this happen during the planting or harvest periods. It's also common when a lot of construction is going on locally. Get ahead of the rush and start your work early and you'll be able to rent your tractor for a steal.

Take a shot at asking the rental company if you can book your rental in advance. You'll be able to get your tractor at a much cheaper price, even during peak periods.

5) Rent A Used Tractor

Let's face it, everybody loves shiny new things, but your wallet often pays the price. It's easy to think that you need the newest tractor to get the work done on your field, but this isn't always true. Renting a used tractor with some hours on it will still get the job done, and save you some cash to boot.

A used tractor probably won't be coming with the newest features, but that's alright. They're more than capable of doing the basics. If that's all you need, then a used tractor will give you the most value for your hard-earned dollar.

Used tractors can run just as good as used ones, but keep in mind that they can give you a bit more trouble. Just follow the same rules as buying a new car. Make sure to inspect it closely, and bring along an experienced friend or mechanic if you need to.

6) Minimize Your Tractor Downtime

Here's an important step that comes after you've rented your tractor: don't keep it for too long. Remember that you're paying for this tractor by the hour. Schedule the tasks and operations that you need the tractor for so that you can minimize your downtime as much as possible. 

The sooner you're done with the tractor, the more money you'll save.

7) Ask About Long-term Rental Rates

If you need a tractor for a lot of different jobs, you should ask about the rates for long-term rentals. Many rental companies will give you a better deal if you choose a longer rental period.

It's a smart choice if you need to use the tractor for a while because it'll end up costing you less in the end.

Some companies will let you rent their machines for a few months, while some will even hand them over to you for years! 

8) Be Wary of Hidden Costs

Before you sign off on your rental, always make sure to look for hidden fees. "That's how they get you", as the saying goes. Hidden fees can dramatically ramp up the price of your rental and take you completely by surprise. 

Rental companies can add fuel, insurance, and delivery to your rental bill as hidden fees. Make sure to ask about hidden fees upfront and read the fine print to avoid surprise charges. 

When Should You Consider Renting a Tractor?

If you have a job that needs a new tractor, you'll have to pick between buying and renting. Most times the decision could prove a little hard though. Each option has its benefits, as well as its disadvantages. Renting is cheaper in the short term, but buying a tractor could be a good long-term investment.  

If you've been scratching your head trying to figure out whether to rent or buy a tractor, we're here to help you make your choice. 

1) You Need a Machine for a Certain Task 

Perhaps you have a field that needs tilling or some crops that desperately need spraying. If you don't have the right equipment, you might hesitate to drop thousands of dollars on a new tractor. You can simply rent the right tractor for the job and return it when the job is through. 

Renting a properly equipped tractor is often cheaper than getting new equipment, like a plow or sprayer. Especially if you only need the tool once. 

2) To Avoid Maintenance, Storage, and Repair Costs 

Owning a tractor is a great way of boosting your productivity, but maintenance and repair fees can be overwhelming. If you need a tractor, but you're not keen on spending money on repairs, then renting is your best friend. 

Renting a tractor takes the responsibility of maintenance and repair off your hands.  

3) Replacing a Tractor That's Currently Down

Sometimes even your most reliable tractor breaks down and gives up. While you're getting it fixed, work still needs to keep moving, so renting a temporary replacement might be your best move. 

4) Increasing Your Fleet to Meet Demand

You might already have one or more tractors of your own, but sometimes your workload is beyond your capacity. Rather than spending a small fortune on getting more tractors, you can simply rent a few extra to get the additional help you need. 

5) Testing Out a Tractor

Renting a tractor is a great way of getting a feel for how a tractor performs. That way you'll be able to decide whether it's a good fit for your business without breaking the bank first.

Bottom Line

If you need a tractor for a short while, or you want to give it a test run before pulling the trigger on a purchase, then renting is a great way to go. That being said, tractor rental rates can often feel too steep. You can save money on your rentals and get your tractor cheap if you know the right tips though. This can save a lot of money and make your bottom line much more profitable. 

One of the biggest ways to save money is by renting an older tractor model, or a used tractor. They come at a cheaper price and still do a lot of what their newer counterparts can do. Just make sure to inspect it for problems before sealing the deal. 

You should also shop around and check as many rental companies as you can. That way you can compare their prices and services. Then you can negotiate to see if they'll beat another company's offer. 

Boom ahead of time to avoid renting during peak seasons. Tractors are sought after during the planting and harvesting periods, so you'll have a very hard time finding them cheap. 

Renting your tractor for a longer period is a good way of staying cost-efficient. This is because many rental companies reduce the rental rate when you rent for long periods.