Would this scare you from buying???

[Ted Summey]

I'd offer $4,500. If he takes it, immediately after you get it home warm it up then change the oil. Run it for 50 hours and change again. If it is still running well after that, use it and forget it oil issue.

 

[jeff9366]

IMHO, I would not worry about it. When is the last time you saw or heard of engine failure due to old oil?

How LOW do you consider the oil may have been when it was finally changed?

 

[wjsizemore77]

He probably thought you could go 1500hrs on the hst oil:laughing:

When I asked if his 500 hour "tune up" included the trans oil, he said "no, I think that is a sealed unit".

Sounds like it could go either way whether this machine would do fine or be a ticking time bomb. It's probably not enough of a good deal and too far away for me to pursue considering the possibility this tractor my not survive another 200 hours. It's a shame because it is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[willi67]

The owner might have just topped up the oil if it was low, I have heard of that before.

 

[LD1]

I would walk away.

pjbci: your dozer likely has a MUCH larger volume of oil, and a much larger filter.

IF he used full synthetic, I could see maybe 200 or 250 hours tops, but it sounds like the guy is an idiot mechanically. Keep looking. 500hrs @ 40-50 MPH average in a highway car is equal to 20,000-25,000 miles.

 

[riptides]

How LOW do you consider the oil may have been when it was finally changed?

What difference would that make? If it runs, it runs. If your that worried about it, take it to a engine place and get it inspected and test the oil accordingly.

 

[Timm250]

500 hrs @ 10 mph is only 5000 miles. It's probably not hurt. I would say go for if everything else works.

 

[avc8130]

Do an oil analysis. Do both the engine and hydraulic oil.

ac

 

[DABSGT]

A picture and owner will always make the tractor look good. Only way to tell is drive the 5 Hours and look at it up close. If the owner didn't abuse it and it is clean that is a good sign. But check the oil yourself, does it smoke when running and as it is running take the oil cap off or pull the dip stick and check for blow by.

 

[sixdogs]

You have to wonder what else he did that was dumb. It probably didn't just start with the engine oil.
If you can do an oil analysis, do it. If not I'd walk away. There are lots of tractors for sale.
Spend in haste; repent in leisure is the phrase that comes to mind.