Hey Satisfactory engineers! Ever feel like you're drowning in a sea of conveyors and factories? Well, sometimes you need a little help to get around, and that's where the trusty tractor comes in. It's the first step towards automating resource gathering and expanding your industrial empire. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about setting up and using a tractor in Satisfactory, making your early game a breeze. So, grab your coffee, buckle up, and let's get those tractors rolling!

Unlocking the Tractor and Its Essentials

Alright, first things first, how do you actually get a tractor? You won't find one just lying around. You gotta unlock it! This is part of the tier 1 milestones. You will need to research the "LOGISTICS" in the MAM (MAM is a Mobile Automated Manufacturing, this is the research tree in Satisfactory). The MAM can be found by pressing the C key, and this research consumes the biomass of the leaves.

After you unlock the "LOGISTICS" research, you will need to unlock the "Tractor" itself. This requires you to manufacture certain items. The following items must be crafted to unlock the tractor:

• 4 x Iron Rod - Basic building block made from iron ingots.
• 4 x Iron Plate - Another fundamental item made from iron ingots, used for various structures.
• 4 x Wire - Essential for circuits and other more advanced functions.

Once you have these items crafted, you will need to head to the equipment workshop, where you can now craft your very own tractor! Congratulations, you now have your first vehicle! Now you're ready to start automating resource gathering and make your life a whole lot easier. You'll need to head to the equipment workshop. This is the place where you can craft the tractor itself. The items required for crafting the tractor are:

• 1 x Tractor - The vehicle itself!

Once you've crafted your tractor, you're ready to set up and take on the world. However, before you start, make sure you've also unlocked the "HUB" as it contains the ability to store materials. In the early game, you won't have the luxury of having lots of storage solutions and logistics, so you'll want to take advantage of the hub to place your goods.

Powering Up Your Tractor

Now you have your tractor, it needs power to run! Tractors do not require fuel to run, so you won't need to craft any fuel items. Instead, the tractor runs off the grid. So how do you power it? Well, you don't. Tractors do not require any fuel or electricity to run. It runs forever without the need for fuel or electricity, making it the perfect vehicle for automation and exploration in the early game. This is what makes tractors so effective at doing early tasks and why you will use them frequently in the early stages of the game.

Setting Up Your First Tractor Route

Alright, you've got your tractor, now what? It's time to set up your first route. The goal here is to automate the collection of resources and bring them back to your base. It's a game-changer! Here’s how to do it:

1. Find a Resource Node: First, identify a resource node you want to harvest. Let's say, Iron Ore. You can find these nodes scattered across the map. You will want to determine the best method to harvest the resource. Keep in mind that "pure" resource nodes will provide you with much more resources than "normal" nodes. These nodes will be the backbone of your factory. So choose wisely!
2. Build a Miner: Place a Miner on the iron ore node. Make sure the miner is powered by placing a power line from your power source to the miner. You will need to put in some power to get those resources. This will start extracting the resources.
3. Place a Storage Container: Place a storage container near the miner. This will be where the tractor will drop off the resources it collects. You can use the HUB as a storage container.
4. Drive the Tractor to the Miner: Hop into your tractor and drive it to the miner. Park it near the miner.
5. Set the Route: Now, here's the magic. Open the tractor's control panel (usually by pressing 'E' when you're in the driver's seat). Select the "Drive" button. You can then set waypoints on the map for your tractor to follow. The first waypoint will be at the miner location. You can drive to the location by selecting the place on the map. You will want to also set a waypoint near your base near the storage container. The game will automatically handle the route from one waypoint to another, and the tractor will automatically move from one waypoint to another. Make sure that the tractor is near the miner and storage container. The tractor will automatically deliver the resources to the storage container. Make sure you have enough space in the storage containers to carry the resources. The tractor will drive back to the miner to repeat the process.
6. Start and Automate: Once you've set your route, you can start the tractor and let it run. The tractor will drive between the miner and the storage container, automatically collecting and delivering the iron ore. This is the beauty of automation!

Tips for Optimizing Your Tractor Route

• Pathfinding: Make sure your path is clear of obstacles. Rocks and cliffs can be a real pain! Use the terrain to your advantage and pick a route that is easy to navigate.
• Storage Capacity: Be mindful of the tractor's inventory space and the capacity of your storage containers. Make sure the containers have enough space to handle the resources. If the containers are full, the tractor will stop working, so you must build more containers.
• Speed: Tractors are not the fastest vehicles. However, they are still a great way to transport resources. Keep this in mind when you are setting up your routes. Consider the distance between the nodes and your base. It is going to take a while for the tractor to reach the node.
• Efficiency: Once you start getting advanced you may want to set up more complex solutions for resource gathering. Start by upgrading your tractor or building more miners to transport more resources.

Troubleshooting Common Tractor Issues

Sometimes, things don't go according to plan. Here's a quick guide to troubleshooting common tractor problems:

• Tractor Won't Start: Make sure your tractor is powered, your miner is powered, and your storage containers have space. Also, make sure that the waypoints have been assigned correctly. Check to see if the tractor is colliding with any objects.
• Tractor Stuck: Tractors can get stuck. If this happens, try reversing, turning, or using the "reset" option in the tractor control panel. Make sure that the path you have chosen for the tractor is valid.
• Not Collecting Resources: Verify that the miner is active and producing resources. Also, double-check that the tractor's route is set up correctly, with waypoints at both the miner and the storage container.
• The tractor has no fuel: Tractors do not require fuel, but may require power depending on the situation. Make sure you connect a power line if the miner requires power. The tractor itself does not require fuel.

Advanced Tractor Strategies

Once you master the basics, you can start experimenting with more advanced strategies:

• Multiple Routes: Set up multiple tractors to transport different resources simultaneously. This is a great way to expand your resource gathering capabilities.
• Upgrading Tractors: You can unlock upgrades in the MAM that improve the tractor's speed, capacity, and other features. This will allow you to travel faster and carry more resources.
• Complex Logistics: As you progress, you can integrate tractors into a larger logistics network, using them to transport resources between different factories and production lines.

Conclusion: Your Satisfactory Tractor Journey

And there you have it! Setting up a tractor in Satisfactory is the key to automating resource collection and expanding your base. By following this guide, you should be able to get your first route up and running in no time. Remember to experiment, have fun, and embrace the industrial revolution! Happy building, engineers!

This guide will give you a great start to your tractor journey. So, get out there and start building those automated factories. The more you use your tractor, the better you will get! You can transport materials all around the map and speed up the progress of your game. Now go forth and create the ultimate Satisfactory empire!