This privacy policy sets out how Compact Tractors HQ uses and protects any information that you give Compact Tractors HQ when you use this website.

Compact Tractors HQ is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

Compact Tractors HQ may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 1/6/2010.

What we collect

We may collect the following information:

• name and job title
• contact information including email address
• demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
• other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers

What we do with the information we gather

We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

• Internal record keeping.
• We may use the information to improve our products and services.

We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.

From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone, fax or mail. We may use the information to customise the website according to your interests.

Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about webpage traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes.

If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us at affiliate[at]jonparker[dot]co[dot]uk

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. A small fee will be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please write to Compact Tractors HQ, 56 Mill Lane, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 2DE.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible, at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

DoubleClick DART cookies

We also may use DART cookies for ad serving through Google’s DoubleClick, which places a cookie on your computer when you are browsing the web and visit a site using DoubleClick advertising (including some Google AdSense advertisements). This cookie is used to serve ads specific to you and your interests (“interest based targeting”). The ads served will be targeted based on your previous browsing history (For example, if you have been viewing sites about visiting Las Vegas, you may see Las Vegas hotel advertisements when viewing a non-related site, such as on a site about hockey). DART uses “non personally identifiable information”. It does NOT track personal information about you, such as your name, email address, physical address, telephone number, social security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers. You can opt-out of this ad serving on all sites using this advertising by visitinghttp://www.doubleclick.com/privacy/dart_adserving.aspx

You can choose to disable or selectively turn off our cookies or third-party cookies in your browser settings, or by managing preferences in programs such as Norton Internet Security. However, this can affect how you are able to interact with our site as well as other websites. This could include the inability to login to services or programs, such as logging into forums or accounts.

Deleting cookies does not mean you are permanently opted out of any advertising program. Unless you have settings that disallow cookies, the next time you visit a site running the advertisements, a new cookie will be added.

So you’ve decided to buy but you’re not comfortable with the minefield of used compact tractors out there?

Buying a compact tractor from a dealership is most certainly the safest way, even though it will cost you more money in the short term at least.

The best person to speak to now you have made this decision is the staff at the dealers themselves as they are experts in their machines. There are always a number of things to take into consideration when buying from salesmen however:

• Does the compact tractor you’re being shown fit your needs? (i.e. Is it sufficient for everything you need, yet not filled with features that you’ll certainly never use).
• Can you arrange finance on the purchase of your tractor that will save you money? (e.g. interest free credit)
• Bear in mind that you are buying an item with a high profit margin and there will likely be quite a lot of “wiggle room” if the salesman thinks you are interested in the compact tractor that you’re being shown.
• Don’t necessarily purchase the compact tractor on your first visit to the dealership. It’s not going anywhere and it’s always better to sleep on a decision when it concerns a large amount of money.
• Know the issues that are common with the manufacturer you choose and ask questions about these issues to see how the dealers react. At the least, it will show them that you’re well prepared.

This isn’t by any means a complete list of things to consider when looking around compact tractor dealerships and you should most likely have an even bigger list of things you’ve already noted down (either on paper or in your head) to consider.

The best thing you can do before visiting a dealership for the first time is finding a friend who has experience with compact tractors that can advise you on what you’re looking at if this is at all possible.

Unlike with large agricultural tractors, each compact tractor model requires specialised implements and attachments.

The different types of implements and attachments are described under the headings below.

Box Blade

Box Blades are used on compact tractors for moving dirt, and smoothing and contouring land. They are attached to the tractor using the three-point hitch and are typically unpowered; although they sometimes incorporate hydraulic controls.

Grader Blade

Grader blades are actually a type of Box Blade as described above. They’re used to grade and maintain dirt and gravel roadsand typically have 2 parallel angled cutting edges, and long sidepieces.

Landscape Rake

The landscape rake is an attachment used on soil or dirt and is a perfect finishing tool. It rakes and collects surface debris while smoothing and leveling the soil.

Post Hole Digger

A post hold digger is also know as an earth or soil auger, and is mounted on the back of compact tractor. It’s powered by the tractor’s power take-off and has the purpose of digging vertical holes; typically for fencing posts.

Rotary Cutter

A rotary cutter, also known as a rotary mower or a brush hog attaches via the three-point hitch of a compact tractor and is powered by the tractor’s power take-off.

The blades of a rotary cutter aren’t fixed in the same way as they are in a lawnmower and this allow them to be used over uneven ground without the risk of damage.

Rotary cutters of this nature can be used to trim grasses, and also for more dense undergrowth and vegetation.

Mid- or Rear-Mount Finish Mower

Finishing mowers are used as an attachment to compact tractors to cut a variety of grasses and other relatively low-density ground covers when a “lawn” finish is required.

Finish mowers can be mid-mounted (also known as belly-mounted) or rear-mounted.

Broadcast Seeder

A broadcast seeder or spreader as they are also known is a compact tractor implement used for spreading lime, manure or seed.

In the operation of a broadcast seeder, a large hopper is located above a set of spinning fins which disperse the contained material up and out.

Subsoiler

A subsoiler is an implement used on compact tractors to loosen and break up soil at relatively high depths: typically around 12 inches. Subsoilers are also know as mole ploughs and their manufacturers claim that they help crops in different ways in both hot and wet seasons such as aiding root penetration and soil permeability.

Rototiller

Rototillers are typically considered as a type of secondary tillage implement to be used after a subsoiler or plough. Their effective depth is not as great as that of a subsoiler but it’s possible that they can be used for primary tillage in less dense soil.

When you’ve decided that you want to take the plunge and become the owner of your very own compact tractor, you have two main considerations regarding where you’ll be buying from.

If you are looking to spend less money and have a reasonable knowledge about tractor mechanics, you might prefer to consider buying from a selection of used compact tractors.

If you don’t feel comfortable assessing the condition of a second hand tractor yourself, you might prefer to visit one of the many compact tractor dealers. By using a dealer instead of buying second-hand or privately – in the same way as if you were purchasing a new car – you’ll also benefit from the support of the dealership and you can guarantee you are buying from a selection of compact tractors in perfect working condition.

Please visit the pages we have set up for used tractors and tractor dealers for more information about each purchase option.

In the future, we hope to bring you our own selection of used compact tractors for sale, along with our recommendations for dealers.

If you have good mechanical knowledge and previous experience with compact tractors, you could save yourself a large amount of money and pick up a bargain by choosing from somewhere selling used compact tractors instead of getting a new tractor directly from a dealership.

All of the following questions need to be asked with second-hand tractor purchases, and if there is anything listed below that you don’t understand, then chances are you’d be better start looking for compact tractor dealers instead:

• Does the compact tractor fit your needs?
• Is the seller reputable or trustworthy?
• Is the overall visual impression of the tractor OK?
• Check the lubricated areas. Are they dry or lumpy?
• Are the bearings and seals in need of replacement?
• Are there oil spots around the engine?
• How is the tractor cooled and does this show any related signs of neglect?
• Are there traces of water in the oil?
• What condition are the brakes and clutches in?
• Does the engine start easily and run smoothly?
• Are the hydraulic systems in good working condition with signs of good maintenance?
• Is steering smooth and silent?

In conclusion, if you know how to asses (at least) the above questions and you find yourself a good quality compact tractor in sufficient working order, you may just have found yourself a bargain.