How To Make & Use The Tractor & Trailers In Astroneer

The tractor is one of the first mass transit vehicles you can unlock in Astroneer, making resource gathering significantly faster and more efficient. This guide will walk you through crafting both the tractor and trailers, setting them up with power, and using them effectively to collect resources from across your planet.

Crafting Your Tractor and Trailers

What You Need to Build

To get started with tractors and trailers in Astroneer, you’ll need to craft two main components:

Tractor: The front vehicle unit that serves as your operator seat

Trailers: Cargo units that attach to the tractor for carrying resources

Crafting Requirements

Both components are made in a small printer and require the following materials:

Tractor: 2x Aluminum

Trailers: Compound and Aluminum

Before you can print these items, you’ll need to unlock them in your research catalog. Make sure you’ve progressed far enough in the game to have access to these blueprints.

Understanding the Tractor Vehicle

Built-In Features

The tractor is a work vehicle with a built-in seat, so you won’t need to craft a separate standalone seat. The tractor also includes a rechargeable battery capable of powering trailers.

You’ll notice the battery has four connection points where you can attach power sources. This design allows you to keep the tractor running while you work.

Powering Your Tractor

To utilize the tractor’s battery effectively, you need to attach a power generator. A small wind turbine works well for this purpose and can be mounted on the front of the tractor. In most cases, one wind turbine provides sufficient power, though you can add additional turbines if needed.

Connecting and Configuring Trailers

Attaching Trailers

Once you’ve printed your trailers, connecting them is straightforward:

Connect cable to cable to link multiple trailers together

Connect the first trailer directly to the front of the tractor

Adding Storage and Cargo Options

Each trailer has two plug sockets where you can attach different cargo systems. The most versatile option is a medium storage unit, but you can also use resource canisters for specialized gathering missions.

Resource canisters allow you to carry large quantities of specific materials. Each canister can hold up to 32 units of a resource, so with multiple canisters or trailers, you can transport 64, 96, or more units on a single trip.

Operating Your Tractor

Getting In and Driving

To operate your tractor:

Approach the tractor and press F to enter the vehicle

Use W-A-S-D keys on your keyboard to drive forward, backward, and turn

The tractor moves at a fast, efficient speed, making resource runs quick and effective

Gathering Resources

Here’s an example workflow for gathering resources with your tractor:

Drive to a resource location (such as compound deposits)

Press F to exit the tractor

Dig up the resources and place them into your attached resource canisters

Return to the tractor and press F to re-enter

Drive back home with your cargo

Power Efficiency

The tractor’s battery lasts considerably well during resource gathering missions. This is partly because the wind turbine on the front generates power as you drive, helping to recharge the battery simultaneously. The combination of an onboard battery and a wind turbine makes the tractor a sustainable option for resource collection.

Why The Tractor Matters

The tractor and trailer system is the first mass transit and mass production method available in Astroneer. It significantly improves your ability to gather resources quickly by reducing travel time and increasing carrying capacity. This early-game vehicle is essential for progressing efficiently through the game’s tech tree and establishing your base operations.

Conclusion

You now have everything you need to craft, assemble, and operate a tractor and trailer system in Astroneer. With just 2 aluminum for the tractor, some compound and aluminum for trailers, and a small wind turbine for power, you’ll have a reliable transport system that dramatically speeds up your resource gathering. Happy exploring!

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