Tips for Buying a Used Tractor
Shopping for used farm equipment is a fantastic money-saving option for those who need quality machines but might not need the latest and greatest. But like with all used buying experiences, there are a lot of traps and pitfalls to avoid or else you could end up with junk. There’s a lot to consider, like vehicle condition, a trustworthy dealer, and that alluring low price point.
At Arizona Tractor sales, we want to lower the hurdles you have to jump over to get a quality used tractor. Tractors are the backbone of any farming operation, so we know how important the process can be. In that spirit, we’ve put together this short guide with some tips to finding a reliable used tractor that’ll happily serve your needs for years to come. Keep reading for more information or head into our dealership in Chandler, Arizona to check out our stock of used tractors.
Find the Right Dealer
Enticing internet listings might seem like the cheapest and quickest method of finding a used tractor, but having a dealer you can trust to do fair business is the best thing you can do to ensure your tractor will be in good condition and operate reliably. Start by finding out who sells the tractor you want and from there check their online reviews and credentials. Hopefully they’re a certified provider 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
If you do end up looking for a used tractor online, 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. That might be difficult if you’re not a tractor operator yourself, so if that’s the case, make sure to 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 couple of particular issues to be on the lookout for when shopping for a used tractor. 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. You’ll want to give the tractor a test drive. Once you have it turned on, check the steering and feel for any operating inconsistencies.
Run a Background Check
After you’ve determined that a used tractor works and is in acceptable condition, you can take it a step further a run a background check. 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 institution, so it is extremely important to verify ownership!
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 Arizona Tractor Sales in Chandler, Arizona. We'll ship across the continental United States! Come in today and let our team of courteous professionals answer all your questions and help you find what you need.