Crossword Genius

What can pull soldiers south of extended area (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tractor

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'what can pull' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'soldiers south of extended area' is the wordplay.
'soldiers' becomes 'OR' (military abbreviation for other ranks).
'south of' means one lot of letters go next to another (in a down clue, some letters go under others).
'extended area' becomes 'tract'.
'or' put after 'tract' is 'TRACTOR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tractor that I've seen before include "I can draw" , "Vehicle for pulling farm machinery" , "Vehicle used on farms" , "Tower" , "Type of truck with a a cab but no body" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app