Hey guys! Ever wondered how to get those tractors up and running in Satisfactory? Well, you've come to the right place! In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to set up your tractors and automate your resource transport. Let's dive in!

What You'll Need

Before we get started, let's make sure you have all the necessary materials and prerequisites. Trust me, being prepared saves a lot of headaches later!

• Unlock the Tractor: First things first, you need to unlock the Tractor in the Milestone menu. This usually requires some basic resources and research, so make sure you’ve been gathering those early-game materials like iron ore, copper, and limestone.
• Crafting Materials: Once you've unlocked the Tractor, you’ll need the materials to actually build it. This typically includes iron ingots, iron plates, and some other intermediate products. Keep an eye on your Craft Bench or Equipment Workshop for the exact recipe.
• Fuel Source: Tractors need fuel to run, and in the early game, you'll likely be using biomass. Make sure you have a steady supply of leaves, wood, or other biomass fuels. Later on, you can upgrade to more efficient fuels like solid biofuel or even packaged liquid biofuel.
• Constructor or Assembler: You'll need a Constructor or Assembler to craft the Tractor. Ensure you have one of these built and powered up.
• Power Supply: Tractors need power to operate their charging stations. Make sure you have a reliable power supply, such as biomass burners or coal generators, connected to your base.

Step-by-Step Tractor Setup

Alright, with the prerequisites out of the way, let's get into the nitty-gritty of setting up your Tractor. Follow these steps, and you'll be automating your resource transport in no time!

1. Crafting the Tractor

First, head over to your Constructor or Assembler. Select the Tractor recipe and start crafting. Keep an eye on the progress bar, and once it's done, grab your shiny new Tractor!

2. Placing the Tractor

Now, find a good spot to place your Tractor. It should be in an area where it can easily access the resources you want to transport. Make sure there’s enough open space for it to move around without getting stuck. Remember, a happy Tractor is a productive Tractor!

3. Building a Tractor Charging Station

Tractors need a place to recharge their batteries, so you’ll need to build a Tractor Charging Station. This is where the magic happens – your Tractor will automatically return to the station when its battery is low.

• Crafting the Charging Station: Go back to your Constructor or Assembler and craft the Tractor Charging Station. You'll need some concrete, iron rods, and other basic materials.
• Placing the Charging Station: Place the Charging Station in a convenient location, preferably near your base or resource collection point. Ensure it's connected to your power grid.
• Connecting to Power: Use power lines to connect the Charging Station to your power supply. Make sure you have enough power to keep it running; otherwise, your Tractor will be stranded!

4. Setting Up the Tractor's Route

This is where the real automation comes in. You need to define the route your Tractor will follow. Here’s how:

• Driving the Route: Get into the Tractor and manually drive the route you want it to follow. This could be from a resource node back to your base, or between different production facilities.
• Recording Waypoints: As you drive, press the 'E' key (or your designated interact key) to record waypoints. These waypoints will guide your Tractor along the route. Place waypoints at each turn, intersection, or any point where you want the Tractor to change direction.
• Completing the Loop: Once you've driven the entire route, return to the Charging Station and record a final waypoint there. This completes the loop, and your Tractor will now follow this route automatically.

5. Configuring the Tractor's Behavior

Now that the route is set, you can configure the Tractor's behavior at each waypoint.

• Accessing the Waypoint Menu: Approach a waypoint and press 'E' to access its menu. Here, you can set various parameters.
• Loading and Unloading: Specify whether the Tractor should load or unload resources at each waypoint. This is crucial for automating resource transport. For example, at a resource node, you'll want it to load, and at your base, you'll want it to unload.
• Item Filters: Set item filters to specify which resources the Tractor should load or unload. This prevents it from picking up unwanted items and keeps your production lines clean.
• Wait Times: Adjust the wait times at each waypoint to ensure the Tractor has enough time to load or unload resources. This is especially important if you have slow-moving belts or limited storage capacity.

6. Fueling the Tractor

Tractors need fuel to run, so make sure they’re always topped up. Here’s how to manage fuel:

• Manual Fueling: Initially, you’ll need to manually fuel the Tractor by placing biomass or other fuels into its inventory. Keep an eye on the fuel gauge and refuel as needed.
• Automated Fueling: As you progress, you can automate fueling by setting up a belt system that feeds fuel directly into the Tractor Charging Station. This requires some advanced planning and logistics, but it’s well worth the effort.

Tips and Tricks for Tractor Automation

Here are some extra tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your Tractors:

• Optimize Routes: Plan your routes carefully to minimize travel time and maximize efficiency. Avoid steep hills, obstacles, and long detours.
• Use Multiple Tractors: If you have high resource demands, consider using multiple Tractors on the same route. This can significantly increase your transport capacity.
• Upgrade Fuel: As soon as you can, switch to more efficient fuels like solid biofuel or packaged liquid biofuel. This will reduce the frequency of refueling and increase your Tractor's uptime.
• Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on your Tractor's performance and make adjustments as needed. Check for bottlenecks, optimize wait times, and ensure the route is clear of obstacles.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful planning, you might run into some issues with your Tractor setup. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

• Tractor Gets Stuck: If your Tractor gets stuck, try clearing any obstacles in its path. You can also manually drive it out of the stuck position and adjust the route to avoid the obstacle in the future.
• Tractor Runs Out of Fuel: Make sure you have a reliable fuel supply and that the Tractor Charging Station is connected to power. Automate fueling as soon as possible to avoid this issue.
• Tractor Doesn't Load/Unload: Double-check your waypoint settings and ensure that the item filters are correctly configured. Also, make sure there’s enough space in the Tractor's inventory or the destination storage container.
• Tractor Doesn't Follow Route: Verify that all waypoints are correctly placed and that the route forms a complete loop. Sometimes, waypoints can get accidentally deleted or moved, causing the Tractor to deviate from its path.

Advanced Tractor Strategies

Once you've mastered the basics, you can start experimenting with more advanced Tractor strategies. Here are a few ideas:

• Centralized Distribution Hub: Create a central hub where all your Tractors unload their resources. From there, you can use belts or trains to distribute the resources to your various production facilities.
• Modular Tractor Routes: Design modular routes that can be easily adapted to different resource locations. This allows you to quickly reconfigure your Tractor network as your factory expands.
• Integration with Drones: Combine Tractors with Drones to create a comprehensive logistics network. Tractors can handle bulk transport over long distances, while Drones can handle smaller, more specialized tasks.

Conclusion

Setting up Tractors in Satisfactory can be a game-changer for your factory automation. By following this guide, you'll be well on your way to building a highly efficient and automated resource transport system. So go ahead, give it a try, and watch your factory thrive! Happy building!