A local tractor store has a 2005 4x4 New Holland TC45D tractor (4K hours) that includes a front-end loader that has a quick-release for bucket swap out. The front tires are new, but the rear tires need replacing. The tractor has a clean, intact exterior and no leaks. Everything seems to work and is responsive. All oil/air/fuel filters were changed and fittings greased. They are asking $14K. Seems a bit high, but wasn't sure of the "blue-book" value or a fair counter-offer. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
There is no such thing as a 2005 model TC45D. The model designation changed to TC45DA in October of 2003 with the model making it to dealer's showrooms late that year or early in 2004. If the tractor has no air vent on the hood and pointed headlights, it could be a 2005 model. However, if it has a top-vented hood toward the front and square edged wrap-around lights, you need to investigate further the year. On the left side of the tractor's operator platform near the brake pedals, you'll see a plaque with the tractor serial number and unit number. The unit number is very important because it tells the year the tractor was built.
Here's an example:
Unit No.
3H28D
3 = Year = 2003
H = August (8th letter of the alphabet)
28 = 28th day of the month
D = Assembled on the
Day shift
Having said all of that, the $14k is an okay price if everything is in great shape. You want to pop the hood and look closely under and behind the battery. The HST cooler sits above the radiator and it's hoses run just behind the battery. Early "D" model tractors before the "DA" models had leaky battery problems and many were damaged in the radiator/HST cooler area. If you see damage, you may want to negotiate for a lower price or replacement of battery acid damaged parts.
Another expensive thing to check is the PTO clutch/brake. The PTO on this tractor works from a lever (yellow color) on the left side operator's console. The PTO clutch is engaged with hydraulic pressure on clutch plates. If I were you, I'd negotiate with the dealer specifically to have the PTO clutch/brake warrantied for at least 90 days. You want to get that tractor home and attached to a rotary cutter (brush hog) mower and make sure the PTO clutch and brake work. You check the clutch by lowering the engine rpm to 1000, slowly move the yellow lever forward until the PTO starts to turn and comes up to speed. Next, increase engine speed and us the cutter while making sure the clutch does not slip. After using the cutter for awhile, lower the engine rpm back to 1000 and then disengage the PTO lever. The rotary cutter should slow and come to a complete stop within 5 seconds. That's the action of the PTO brake. If the rotary cutter keeps turning, it means the brake is worn. Also, sometimes the PTO will slowly turn anytime the engine is running. That's also a sign of a failing brake.
Other than the battery area and PTO, most other things will be easily checked by operating the tractor until it is fully warmed up. If the temperature gage never goes up to the green area from cold, you could have a faulty thermostat or faulty gage. Many of us have had to replace that gage or fix faulty thermostats. Also, when you turn the key from Off to On, you should see the glow plug lamp on the left side of the inst pnl come on and stay on for about 5-7 seconds and go off. This is an automatic preheat cycle. If the light does not come on or the light stays on, then you need a glow plug timer replaced. Lot's of little things like this are not big problems, but can be issues if you get the tractor home and then find out.
As always, you want to negotiate for the best deal. Once you find the actual year of the tractor, you may want to use that info to negotiate for a much better price. For example, if the Unit # starts with a 3 or 2 instead of a 5, then that's a 2003 or 2002 tractor and you might want to offer $2k less for starters. However, if you see the model designation is really TC45DA or the Unit # starts with a 5 as advertised, $14k is acceptable, but $13.5k would certainly be better. My TC45DA was manufactured in 2000 and sold to me in 2001 with a 16LA loader and one rear hydraulic remote for $21,900 brand new. Of course, I had a 2 yr warranty on the tractor and 3 yr warranty on the engine. Even today, I have less than 1800 hours on my tractor, so that one you are looking at has seen some work. If it's taken care of, you should have thousands more hours of great service.
