The two-man combo The Way We Live changed their name to Tractor after John Peel convinced them that a shorter name would be more memorable. In addition, their collaboration with the legendary BBC DJ continued to be intensive, and he gave them recording equipment and a stereo PA system. The recordings for their self-titled LP took place in 1972, both in Dandelion's attic studio and in the bedroom studio of sound engineer and producer John Brierley. All in and around Rochdale, where the two musicians Jim Milne and Steve Clayton also lived. The album was released in November 1972, again on Dandelion Records. It offers a blend of psychedelic rock, folk and harder blues, with some unusual sound effects, complex, progressive heavy rock elements and acoustic ballads.

The relative success of the album – it appeared in various radio charts and reached at least number 30 in the Virgin Album Charts in January 1973 – motivated them to perform live and continue playing for several more years. Like its predecessor Way We Live, the original LP is a highly sought-after collector's item and one of the most expensive albums released on John Peel's Dandelion label.