Tips for Buying a Used Tractor
Buying a used tractor is a great way to save money and open up your options for finding the right piece of equipment for your agricultural operation, but with the financial savings of used stock comes the pitfalls of shopping. You don’t want to save money only to end up with junk equipment, and you certainly don’t want to end a deal with a seller with a bad taste in your mouth when it comes to future business.
At Burrows Tractor, we know there’s a lot to consider when it comes to shopping for used equipment. You need to think about operational condition, how trustworthy the seller is, and fend off the urge to just get the most inexpensive piece of equipment you can find. That’s why we’ve put together this short guide with some tips to finding the best used tractor for you. Read on for more info or head into one of our locations in Yakima and Wenatchee, Washington, as well as North Plains, Oregon.
Find the Right Dealer
Having a dealer you can trust to do fair business is the best way to ensure your used tractor will be in good condition and operate reliably. Whether you’re searching internet listings or sticking to inventory you can visit in person, you’ll still want a seller to have the kind of standards and attitude that make buying from them as smooth as possible.
Find dealers who sell the tractor you want and from there check their online reviews and credentials. Hopefully they’re certified providers of the manufacturer you’re after, and at the very least they should have all the information you ask for, including proof of ownership, maintenance and service records, and clear history of title. Shy away from dealers who make excuses or tell you how those items aren’t important. Stick with a dealer who is upfront about their stock for sale!
Check Tractor Condition
When viewing online listings for used tractors, always give more weight to listings with lots of pictures and plenty of details. But when it comes to determining the condition of a used tractor, there’s no substitute for an in-person inspection.
Performing an in-person inspection could be difficult if you’re not a tractor operator yourself. If that’s the case, bring along someone with a mechanical mind to help out. They can do an inspection or else serve as an adviser to help with negotiations. Ask plenty of questions, and if a dealer doesn’t have the answers, then don’t buy their tractor. It’s not rude to ask for records or other information you might want to see, so don’t hold back on the account of etiquette!
There are a few issues common to used tractors that you should be aware of. Cab and tire wear should match up with operation hours, with low hours showing little wear on things like foot pedals, carpet, and mats. The age and condition of tires should reflect this as well. Open up the tractor for a peek inside. Look for leaks, damage to or around the battery, and the general condition of the engine, including engine oil and coolant. Also check the 4WD swivel pin for wear.
It’s also important to test out how a used tractor starts up. Once you have it turned on, check the steering and feel for any operating inconsistencies. You might also want to check for how comfortable the cab is to see if you’d be able to handle a long day operating the tractor.
Run a Background Check
Running background checks on used equipment of any kind is a great way to avoid many of the potential issues that poorly maintained equipment have. When buying from a dealer, ask if the equipment is owned by them or if it’s under a lien. You can also check ownership against the serial number or VIN. Run those through a private service to find out the equipment’s history and whether it’s been reported stolen.
Buying equipment that doesn’t have a clear title or has a lien against it may forfeit ownership to another party, which is just one reason why this is such an important step!
Shopping for a used tractor isn’t much different than buying another used vehicle: make sure to take your time doing research, comparing options, and getting all the information you need from a dealer or individual seller as you need to comfortably make a purchase. If you’re after more tips for buying a used tractor, or you’re ready to check out our selection of new and used equipment, head to Burrows Tractor in Yakima and Wenatchee, Washington, as well as North Plains, Oregon. We proudly serve Portland, as well as Kennewick, Ellensburg, and Richland, Washington. Come in today and let our team of courteous professionals answer all your questions and help you find what you need.