What to Look for So You Know You're Buying a Good Used Tractor
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- čas přidán 24. 02. 2021
- Buying a used tractor can be intimidating. Today I give you an outline of components to pay attention to so you don't get stung when you shop for a buy a used tractor.
You can tell a lot about the tractor by the owner. If their place is immaculate and well tended, chances are their tractor will be, too. I'd ask why they're selling the tractor and if there's anything wrong with it. There's nothing that will keep them from lying to you, but most folks will be honest and if they're not, you'll notice a change in their demeanor. If you get the feeling they're not telling you everything, keep shopping.
Here's what I look at when evaluating a tractor...first, the tires. Tires are expensive to replace, look at the tread and make sure there aren't any weather cracks or gouges in the sidewalls, that would be indicators that they'll need replaced.
Look at the three point to see the type of stabilizers it has, if it has extendable link arms, and if it has a drawbar. It's either expensive, or impossible to change the stabilizers. If you want telescopic stabilizers and it has turnbuckles, there may not be a good way to change them. If the tractor lacks extendable lower link arms it'll be tougher to hook up, but you can overcome that with the addition of Pat's Easy Change: • Is Pat's Easy Change t... . You may never need a drawbar, but if you'll be pulling implements, make sure it has one, some tractors have a clevis hitch and replacing it with a drawbar is expensive.
Look at the seat...small rips can become big gashes and you don't want the expense of replacing the seat right off the bat. Start the tractor up and check the three point to make sure it goes up and down. Turn the PTO on and make sure it goes around, turn it off and make sure it stops. A continually running PTO could indicate a PTO clutch is failing.
After the tractor has warmed it up, slowly run it up to PTO rated engine speed. It should run smoothly up to the level with no flutters or "misses", If there are any rough spots, an expensive injection pump failure may be coming.
Run the front end loader all the way up and tilt the bucket back and forth. Then run it down to the ground and (making sure you're not stepping on the brakes) use the bucket to lift the front end off the ground. If the hydraulics won't do that, it's possible a pump failure is coming.
Drive the tractor and make sure there's no slop in the steering system or labored turning that could indicate a steering pump is failing. Make sure all gears work or that there's not excessive hydro noise. Split the brake pedal and step on each side while driving slowly. You should feel the tractor try to lurch to one side unless the brakes are weak and need replacing.
Check all the sheet metal to make sure it's straight, and turn on the lights to make sure they work. Examine all of the filters. If the oil filter has the date and hours it was last changed, that's going to tell you how well it's been maintained. Check the oil to see how black it is. Look at the air filter to make sure it's not loaded up with gunk. If the tractor has a see-through fuel filter make sure there's no water or debris in there. Finally, look at the radiator to make sure it's not loaded up with dirt and weed seeds.
Any time you're buying something used, you're taking a risk, but if you'll follow these guidelines, your chance of getting a bad tractor are pretty low. Good luck and I hope you find that late model/low-houred "cherry" out there, worth the money.
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Fire extinguisher. Did not see one. I cannot emphasize this enough. I see so many tractors out there driving around without one. I have seen lots of burned tractors online, in salvage yards, etc. and I am guessing that some of those could have been saved if only the owner had installed one somewhere on the tractor. They are cheap to buy and when a fire starts, which can be common especially out in the field when it gets hot, there are no garden hoses around, and running back and forth to a pond won't help much. Especially on a used tractor, but new ones burn too...install a fire extinguisher. Mine is on my ROPS for easy access. From my own piece of heaven in NE Missouri...Craig
Great video Mike. One thing I would like to add. When I bought my used JD tractor off a lot, I asked the dealer for the previous owner's contact information so I could contact him. I figured the dealer would tell me no but, a farmer friend of mine said if the dealer doesn't want to give it to you, move on. He said reputable dealers won't have a problem doing that. I did, and was given the information without hesitation. I had a good long talk with the retired, previous owner, who had owned the tractor for over 25 years. He gave me tons of history on the tractor, repair information, etc. It turned out to be a great tractor. From my own piece of heaven in NE Missouri...Craig.
The best advice I was given years ago was to buy a new tractor and buy used attachments. A good used tractor is really tough to find and what's out there (in my neck of the woods) has been abused and usually not greased.
All good tips. One thing for someone in the used market is to remember it's going to be hard to find exactly what you want. If you find a really good, clean tractor that meets 85% of what you're looking for --- take it. I did and couldn't be happier with it.
i didn't know what to look for when i bought a 2013 Kubota L3800 with 321 hrs. It was a good price based on all the shopping I had done on Craigslist. Fortunately, the seller had an immaculate driveway. Has been a great machine these past 2 years.
💥 Lots of great tractor buying tips Mike! Thanks for keep us all informed.
*Keep on tractoring!* 👍
Love the videos! Keep up the good work and consider posting on Rumble.
Hey Mike, great video! I might add another thing to your watchlist of what to look for, and that’s buying a machine that has a good parts supply. I’ve turned away more customers than you could imagine who have purchased a tractor or rotary cutter that was a great buy at a farm sale and ended up with a machine that is either obsolete, or they have something that parts are next to impossible to find. So, a simple call to your proper dealership and researching something before purchase can save someone a lot of heartache in the future. Also, make sure that Vin number and model number are visible on a machine. “It’s yellow” doesn’t work when trying to buy parts for something.
You were one of the guys who’s videos helped me evaluate the Farmall 756 we bought last summer. Thank you.
Another helpful video for those in the market.
Even though I'll probably never own one, I have nothing against Kubota machines. With their popularity, they obviously build a quality product.
What really intrigues me is how Kubota went from being a "gray market" product, technically illegal to sell in the U.S., to having such popularity today.
I remember seeing one for the first time back in the early 80s when it was still an unknown brand. None of the farmers in my area thought Kubota would be around long. That was when the compact utility tractor market was just beginning to grow into what it is now.
It's always a good idea to change engine oil each year regardless if you have put enough hours on it or not.
Great review!
All good information. If it has a loader also check the pins on the loader. My take on equipment is if your going to use it to make money buy new, but if it is for around the home buy used. I would also say if you are unfamiliar with the model go to you tube and watch some reviews.
Good video Mike!
Thats a great video as always Tractor Mike but how about evaluating an older machine in worse condition? I realize you can't have it all but just a thought. Thanks for all the information as always though!
good video on how to evaluate....i have a tractor to preseve for sales....
not only hard to find, but they are almost the cost of a new one.
My Kubota MX4700’s PTO is independent of the clutch. Forward engages it and aft disengages it, no clutch necessary.
It seems like there are 2 kinds of used tractors over priced or worn out
Would have added to the video checking the 4*4 is functioning along with the diff lock. Also when lifting the loader up looking for the bleed down you are making sure loader arms aren’t bent. Good video tho.
Went with a buddy to look at a tractor. No battery, one headlight broken and a rag for a gas cap. Seller said it runs just fine. The battery was in another tractor. There was a battery on a charger in the shop. We never went back.
Me and a neighbor looked around for used tractors and the prices of late model tractors was only a tad less than brand new, lol. Unless he finds something better priced, I think he is just going to buy new.
Great tractor!! Oh wait, it’s just like mine 🤣
Good video thanks Mike. Question for you, how many hours is to many hours on used?
Here's a video where I covered that: czcams.com/video/4FicvdAmvYQ/video.html. A lot depends on the person who owned it.
Was it just the camera picking up the sound of that hydro whine or was it really that bad? My Kioti HST isn’t nearly that loud with over 200 hours. Just curious..
you forgot to check the radiator water or antifreeze you look inside that radiator make sure there's no oil in there and most of all it has antifreeze
Mike I am buying a rk37 where can I get insurance for it?
Ken, most insurance companies have an option to cover machinery. If you have a rural-type policy, it could already be covered as part of that. I don't think you'll have trouble finding someone who wants to sell you insurance on that tractor.
Thank you I purchased a policy 750 a year.
Buy the 72 Ford pickup, heck with the tractor. Don't always judge a book by it's cover
"Dead cow in the driveway" where the heck are you looking for used tractors... lol
Haha. I thought the same.
Dead cow in the yard, that a common thing there?
Is that one for sale hahahahah