Most farmers are aware of what to look for when purchasing a farm tractor. They arrive at the auction center, having in mind exactly what they need for their farm. It could be a 2011 New Holland T7060MFWD, John Deere 9630 4WD, or even a 2011 Challenger MT865C tractor that has a defined number of hydraulic pipes to operate the grader and other farm attachments.
However, even though they are aware of what exactly they want, farmers will still want to scrutinize the tractors before they can bid for them. Here are killer tips to assist you in finding the ideal second-hand farm tractor:
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Articulation point
Ensure you carry out both operational and visual inspection of the location of articulation. Since it is the significant moving segment of the tractor, it must be greased all the time. Make sure you look out for metal shards on the tractor. Shards will automatically mean that the tractor was not well-maintained hence the wear on the tractor.
To inspect the general operations of the tractor, you could start it and drive forth and back. In case you hear a knock in the process, then there could be a problem with the culprit. Turn the steering wheel to the right and then left. Assess whether there is some looseness on the steering as that could denote a damaged or bent central pin.
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Body, tires, and outward appearance
A farm tractor that appears well-maintained has been kept well. Dents, peeled paint, bulging tires, and cracked ones will often say that probably the tractor lived outside in the open and was possibly even abused. Depending on the make of the tractor, changing tires or any other renovations could cost you a lot.
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Cab
Take a good look at the cab. Mud and dirt inside could mean the farm tractor was not kept in the right manner. Assess the booth to determine for how long the tractor has been used in terms of hours. Note that some farm tractors could display over 4,000 operating hours but are still in good condition since the owner has taken good care of it. In case the cab has a guidance system, ensure that all the receivers, displays, and electronic parts are functional.
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Engine compartment
Start the tractor after lifting the hood and let it run for some minutes. Make sure there are no leaks from the hydraulics, engine, or hoses. Ensure there are no worn-out fuel lines, hydraulics, or cracked cables. Check the horsepower on the engine plate to ensure that the engine emits the standard smoke required.
Listen carefully for any scratching or knocking sounds that the engine could be producing to assess its usefulness. After turning off the engine, you can remove its air filter. These filters should be replaced after every 200 hours, and the cab filters should be replaced every 400 hours.
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Hydraulic power
While inspecting the hydraulics look for any leaks or possible signs that show it is damaged. Also, look at the attachments that should be added on and the auxiliary lines. Make sure that the number of outlets that the tractor has can help you now and in the years to come.
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Power Take-Off shaft
Any mechanical drive that has drills, grain carts, etc. should have a proper PTO shaft. First, you need to make sure that the PTO is running with the right attachment. It is advisable to purchase a tractor that contains more of the horsepower that you need. That means that the tractor will be able to accomplish more tasks in the field and even save fuel. Before purchasing the tractor, start it ensure the shaft is rotating smoothly, and listen if it produces any knocking sound.
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Supporting documentation and maintenance log
Sellers should give out inspection lists, maintenance logs, work orders, and any relevant supporting documents. Before going home with the tractor, ask for these documents. They will show you any repairs that have been performed on the tractor. In case you need to learn specifics on what the tractor used, such as applications, with the seller’s permission, you can be provided with their contact details to talk to them directly. Apply these tricks to look for the ideal second-hand tractor.
