When we first moved here, the first item a neighbor said to get was a tractor. So, we did. After much evaluation, we chose a 49 HP Kubota. No, they aren't sponsoring this. Yes, they should. I've sold enough of them by now. This tractor really is the "Swiss Army Knife" and MVP of the homestead. It does all of the heavy lifting. Of the myriad attachments available, we currently have a select few: the front-end loader, backhoe, tiller, an auger, a three-point hitch and a few smaller items that I will discuss below.
Starting at the rear of the tractor is the three-point hitch. This is multitool to redefine the term. The three-point hitch is three arms to which you attach different implements to according to your need. Most of these implements are PTO attachments, and there are waaay too many. Seriously, you could fund the economy of a small country with options for attachments.
What we have:
The three-point hitch receiver (non-PTO) comes in handy when you need a hitch and cannot get your truck to fit where you need it. Got a trailer that sunk into the mud? Since this attaches to the three-point hitch, you control the elevation. Just lower the hitch, hook up the trailer, raise the hitch, drive. For the draw bar, get a three ball. This way you can haul just about everything. I have a Gorilla cart that attaches and now I can carry all of my supplies for the day.
In addition to the drawbar, I use a sub-soiler with pipe layer. This replaces the drawbar on the receiver and, you guessed it, cuts a trench while laying pipe, or wire, or whatever else I need to bury quickly and efficiently. Here in the south, I only need an 18 inch but check your area's frost depth before burying irrigation pipe.
The auger is a game changer when it comes to setting posts. My father-in-law will talk all day how a manual post hole digger builds character, but I'll save the blisters and the time and let the auger do the work. I use the 6 and 9 inch auger bits.
The tiller. We didn't want the tiller. We discussed it and decided "no". Then when we bought the tractor, got it home and we had a tiller. Good salesman I guess. Of course, the tiller tills, like for farming. However, I have used this far more for breaking up hard soil so I can smooth areas and for cleaning grassy, weedy areas before laying ground cover. It has come in handy when moving our poultry tractors to till the manure into the ground for future use, and to reduce smell when it rains. We got the reverse (rotates backward) tiller and I prefer it over the forward tiller. It digs deep and efficiently. Forward and reverse each have their purpose, but I like the reverse.
Leaving the three-point hitch, but still at the rear we have the backhoe. What can I say about the backhoe? Hmmm... just get one. I've dug up trees and stubborn bushes, dug trenches for pipes and wire, pulled grounding rods, cleaned pond sides, pushed things, pulled things, picked things up, used it as a counterweight with heavy loads, and yes, dug holes. And when the tractor gets stuck, the backhoe will assist you getting un-stuck.
Moving to the front of the tractor, we have the front-end loader. This thing is versatile. The bucket does so much. Moving dirt, gravel and the like, bulk yard debris (I use it like a broom), grading ground, carrying supplies and the list goes on. Then you remove the quick release bucket and install a hay spike and you're moving hay, rolled fencing and anything coiled. Swap that for the forks and now you're moving pallets of supplies, still moving hay, still moving rolled fencing and anything coiled. When cutting firewood, the forks elevate the log to a comfortable and safe height. I even have a basket that attaches via the forks for when I prune trees, install roofing, hang Christmas decorations, you name it. It certainly beats a ladder.