This study aims to analyze the annual usage durations of tractors based on data obtained from authorized service centers in Kırşehir and Yozgat (Boğazlıyan and Sorgun), located in Turkey’s Central Anatolia Region. A total of 236 tractors were included in the evaluation by examining their maintenance and service records. Annual operating hours for each tractor were calculated, and the findings revealed that these durations vary significantly depending on the service point, engine power, and intensity of use. Notably, while some tractors were operated for less than 100 hours annually, others exceeded 2000 hours. These variations are likely influenced by multiple factors, including the usage model (individual or shared), farm size, land structure, and non-agricultural activities such as transport or construction. The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each service region to assess the heterogeneity of usage patterns. The results indicated considerable variability, particularly in Sorgun and Boğazlıyan, where CV values exceeded 90%. This highlights substantial differences in operational intensity among tractors within the same region. Tractors with exceptionally high annual usage are most likely to be part of cooperative systems, contractor-based operations, or shared machinery services. These findings suggest that tractor fleets should not be evaluated solely based on numerical size but also on operational efficiency and workload distribution. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of micro-level usage data in shaping more effective and sustainable agricultural mechanization policies. Overall, the results can provide valuable insights for future planning in equipment investment, maintenance logistics, and rural development strategies.
ÖZGÜNALTAY ERTUĞRUL, G. (2025). Analysis of Annual Tractor Usage in the Central Anatolia Region: The Case of Kırşehir and Yozgat. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 9(3), 703–711. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15790716
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