Just arrived and hour meter is broken

[Yander]

As I explained earlier, it's not even remotely close to "exactly the same". Mileage on a car is a decent indication of how much wear and tear that car has received. Hours on a tractor is not. It's something to consider, but it's very far from the best indicator.

So, what is the best indicator of how much usage a tractor has had?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

So, what is the best indicator of how much usage a tractor has had?

Especially the engine

 

[4570Man]

So, what is the best indicator of how much usage a tractor has had?

It’s not so much the overall usage as the quality of use. A well taken care of 2000 hour tractor would be much better than a 500 hour one that’s been beat it’s whole life.

 

[BlueKnife]

So, what is the best indicator of how much usage a tractor has had?

Overall wear, leaks, smooth controls, blow-by, exhaust color and smell, transmission noises, tire condition, rust, paint fade, cutting edge wear, slop in bushings and bearings on loader, 3PH and steering, etc. etc. A tractor that spent it's life on a golf course pulling a finish mower multiple times a week is likely to have more hours than one that spent it's life at a masonry supply center, but which one is likely to be in better shape?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

All of that is true, but all things being equal, hours matter… especially when you are using them to support the value you are attaching to it.
I have a hard time believing most of you would buy a 15 year old tractor with unknown hours, over one with accurate hours and service records. I mean, cmon man.

 

[Yander]

It’s not so much the overall usage as the quality of use. A well taken care of 2000 hour tractor would be much better than a 500 hour one that’s been beat it’s whole life.

I don't disagree with this, but I think this could be said of any piece of equipment with an engine. I won't buy a used vehicle any longer without seeing a clean carfax with oil changes. I care about maint. as much as I care about the mileage, often a little more. I'm guessing that is what you are saying.

I still do care about the mileage though.

 

[Yander]

Overall wear, leaks, smooth controls, blow-by, exhaust color and smell, transmission noises, tire condition, rust, paint fade, cutting edge wear, slop in bushings and bearings on loader, 3PH and steering, etc. etc. A tractor that spent it's life on a golf course pulling a finish mower multiple times a week is likely to have more hours than one that spent it's life at a masonry supply center, but which one is likely to be in better shape?

Fair points, all true. I still like to see low hours though since, the longer someone who isn't caring for their equipment has been using it, the more damage they have done. If they have had it for 300hrs. and neglecting it, the damage is less than if they have owned it 2,000hrs.

 

[4570Man]

All of that is true, but all things being equal, hours matter… especially when you are using them to support the value you are attaching to it.
I have a hard time believing most of you would buy a 15 year old tractor with unknown hours, over one with accurate hours and service records. I mean, cmon man.

I actually did buy a truck sight unseen from out of state once but I’d be more hesitant to do the same for a piece of equipment. I definitely wouldn’t have the same mindset the op has that since it’s from a dealer it must be good. I only bought the out of state truck because it was the height of Covid shortage and I was wanting a rare truck and there weren’t better options available. I’ve bought several pieces of used equipment from my local dealer. I’ve also bought some on marketplace. Maybe the dealer isn’t the best value I could find but not driving hundreds or possibly thousands of miles looking at equipment and the fact he lets me haul it home for a demo is worth something.

 

[5030]

Fair points, all true. I still like to see low hours though since, the longer someone who isn't caring for their equipment has been using it, the more damage they have done. If they have had it for 300hrs. and neglecting it, the damage is less than if they have owned it 2,000hrs.

The last USED M9 I bought 600 miles from here had 5500 hours on the meter btw and was used on a diary farm and run pretty hard but I know it had a pretty good maintenance life as I checked not only the unit close up and personal and put it through it's paces (in a Sunday while the dealer was closed (all M9's use the same key) and I'd nhever buy any tactor, big or small, sight unseen from any dealer because dealers tend to ovber state good condition and understate poor conditions as they want to move equipment, how that works in the real world...

So I went and looked at it, ran it and bought it, not for what they were asking, but what I felt it was really worth and knowing full well what I needed to put into it to make it whole and yes, I checked the engine and powertrain over carefully, remember, I know M9 hydraulic shuttle tractors quite well, I've owned one (cab model) since 2002 and bought that one special order, new plus working at the Kubota dealer part time gives me a good insight as to what can be issues and what isn't. So I offered the dealer (was a JD dealer btw), 16 cash for it with the stipulation that they deliver it to my Kubota dealer so Dennis could go through it and make it 100% whole again, which he did and I made it clear to do everything to it to make it 100%. Cost me an additional 6 grand, so for 22 grand (and no note or payment), this is what I got back and that included a new hood and grill because the previous owner put a huge dent in the hood and I don't like dents... 100% now and I was just offered 30 grand for it. I had Dennis button the pump too, so it's making 98 pto horsepower on their dyno....

 

[tacticalturnip]

Just stating facts. I am not real sensitive, I leave that to the sissies.

How's this- you can get your point across without being a prick, you should give it a shot some time.