A tractor is a machine that has the ability to generate traction (the act of pulling something to move it). Regarding the etymological origin of the term, some experts assure that it is found in the Latin word tractus , while others point to the Latin verb trahere , which can be translated as "throw".
The most common use of the concept refers to a motor vehicle that, thanks to the adherence of its chains or wheels to the surface, is used to tow a trailer or a plow. For this reason, tractors are often used in agricultural tasks.
With regard to the structure and components of a tractor, broadly speaking we can say that its parts are the following: the chassis (provides the rigidity and support necessary to hold together the rest of the mechanical components and the suspension of the wheels), the engine, hydraulic transmission and hoist, hitch and a gearbox.
The development of tractors made it possible to minimize the use of draft animals, such as horses, donkeys or oxen. It also reduced the amount of labor that had to be used for work in the fields. This is due to the fact that the tractor facilitates and automates various activities that, previously, were carried out manually or with the help of animal exploitation.
There are different kinds of tractors. The tractors are those who, for movement, used wheels, which have a much larger size than those used by vehicles that we see on the streets (cars, trucks, etc.). The caterpillar tractors type, meanwhile, have strings instead of wheels.
Tractors may have one or more drive systems for the use of implements. In the case of tractors used for the development of tasks related to agriculture, they usually have different arms that allow them to use tools that are attached to their structure, such as plows, spreaders, mowers or balers.
The movement of the tripuntal system is a plane of four bars; This is also called an articulated quadrilateral and, in the field of mechanical engineering, defines a mechanism consisting of four bars, three of which are mobile, which are joined with articulated knots and pivots. The upper arm, within the three mobiles, is the only one that can be extended since it must be in charge of adjusting the implement.
Current tractor technology includes the inclusion of an electronic sensitivity system in the articulated arms capable of detecting and canceling any pressure that exceeds the limits pre-established by the manufacturers, thanks to which it is possible to avoid breakdowns.
In 1992, a song became the hit of the summer in several Spanish-speaking countries: « Yellow Tractor «. It is a song composed and recorded by the group Zapato Veloz, which was formed in Asturias, Spain, in 1991 and remained active until 1994. The lyrics of the song comically recommend buying a tractor, since « It is the cheapest way to have a convertible. Summer is often associated with gatherings to listen to music and drink, and this seemingly carefree kind of music is an ideal complement.
Finally, in colloquial language, the individual who has great physical strength is classified as a “tractor” . For example: "The guy is a tractor, I'm sure he'll get ahead" , "The new striker signed by the Catalan team is a tractor: he has astonishing power . "