As you start searching for a vintage or any pre-owned tractor for the place, there are a number of factors you need to remember. First, do not get captivated by nostalgia. Buying and rejuvenating an old tractor can be a marvelous gratifying hobby to engage in. However it also can turn out to be a really expensive one.
A used farm tractor is the perfect solution for a growing farm wanting to grow and cut costs at the same time. Used farm machines generally come with a much lower price tag then a brand new tractor for sale, but you still need to do your research and set your budget before you head out to look for used tractors around your area.
A cost-effective solution for farms with less capital to purchase new tractors is to buy a compact tractor, which has the capabilities of completing many different farm jobs. Compact tractors also come in a variety of different engines, so you can pick the best size that is appropriate for the work you will be doing in your farm.
If you are worried about buying a lemon tractor, then you should purchase certified used tractors from reputable agricultural equipment companies like John Deere (my personal favorite), Kubota, Caterpillar, Farmall, and Case for example.
If you find that your farm work is much lighter, then purchasing a compact tractor might be the best option. Compact tractors come with many parts that let you do a variety of light farm work.
Where To Find Used Tractors For Sale
An experienced farmer or buyer of agricultural equipment like tractors can tell you that there is no real benefit of buying a new tractor over getting a used tractor for sale. While there are some clear benefits of getting a new tractor over a used tractor, both can equally get a good amount of work done.
The first places you should look to find used tractors for sale are Sears, local auctions, and local distributors of franchised agricultural tractor producers. You might be surprised that many farms in your area might be selling their used farm tractors to upgrade to a more heavy duty and technological advanced tractor.
Checklist For Buying A Used Farm Tractor
1. Spare Parts - Whatever you may choose, be sure to know about any replacement parts that need to be purchased frequently, so you know your average yearly investment in the used tractor.
2. Age - The age can give you a better estimate of what you can expect the price to be on the tractor, and you can keep this average with you so you know if your really getting a deal when its time to purchase the used tractor.
3. Engine Hours - This correlates with "age", because you want to know how much life the tractor has left. Some used tractor sellers will sell you a machine that's ready to work for a few months and then die. So do not just look at how the used tractor looks like in general, look under the hood!
4. History - Its best you know from the current owner what the used tractors jobs were around the farm and about many repairs it has undergone. Beware of lemon used tractors, always ask about the repair history and/or major damages done to the used tractor.
5. Make & Model - This is not as important, but some farmers have created a loyalty to some used tractor brands, such as John Deere. Ask friends and family about their personal experiences with used tractors, and you can even go to online forums for opinions on a specific used tractor model.
6. Cabin - If your used tractor is going to do a lot of jobs around the farm, you want to be sure that you are controlling the tractor with comfort!
7. 4WD vs. 2WD - Do you need more power or less power? This has to do with my talk about if your used tractor will be for light farm work or for heavy duty jobs. The price difference between the 2 can be quite significant, so be sure to sit down and think about this one.
By: Hemal Patel
About the Author:
Before you start looking for your tractor, make certain that you know what you really want. This may seem too basic, however it is easy to get side tracked and purchase something which you didn't start out to find. Only after you are able to make a thorough list of the requirements should you start your search. Do not forget to include the technical and performance requirements in your list. Unless you understand exactly what you're hunting for, how are you going to decide how and where to search?
If you are seriously searching for an antique tractor, be careful and not allow enthusiasm run away with you. If you do, you may well be in trouble before you begin the project. Rebuilding an antique tractor or other old farm implement is gratifying. However it is not an overnight project moreover it can become costly quite rapidly. Parts for many older tractors are available however some are challenging to find and can be on the spendy side. Factory original tires might be difficult to purchase and reproduction tires may cost more than the tractor. You may well find that rather than purchasing a project tractor, it would be just as gratifying to procure one that someone else has previously put all of the time, effort and expense into. Chances are good that you could purchase it for less money than the owner put into it, to say nothing of all of his labor.
Try any tractor before you purchase it. Is it simple to start and appear, sound and feel right? Are the tires in good shape? Is there any hydraulic leakage noticeable? Do you see any missing pieces or equipment? Make sure and give just as close an inspection to any attachments. Last but not least, make certain that a vintage tractor really fulfills the needs of the job you want it for. It is tough to go wrong with an antique tractor like a John Deere if you shop cautiously.
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