Having evaluated and driven nothing but new tractors in the past couple of months, I recently saw some used tractors that got me to thinking about the possibilities there.
Maybe I am answering my own question by saying this, but the reason I had only considered new until now was the comfort of the warranty. I understand why tractors maintain both their utility and value as opposed to cars (i.e. a 15 year old car is usually worth little). If I have no realistic amount of time or expertise to repair engines or transmissions, would it be foolish to buy a used tractor without warranty.
I'll give you some specifics to see why I am puzzling this over:
A 2002 New Holland TC45D (hydro, deluxe package) with 16L front loader and 380 hours, for $18,500 and no warranty left. Dealer says it was a trade.
It appears to have been used mostly for loader work, as the cutting edge on the bucket is worn almost completely off on one side and there is a great deal of chipping and rust on the loader.
This is tempting for me in two ways. Of all the new tractors I've evaluated, I thought the TC45 would be the best fit me for what I want to do in the long haul. But I decided I cannot afford a new one. The $18-19k range is my absolute tops for tractor with FEL.
Questions I have include, would it be foolish to buy this used being that I am not mechanically inclined? Hopefully by the time a warranty is over on a new purchase I will have learned something about repairing the thing, but I'll never rebuild a motor.
Other than fluid leaks in the hydraulics, engine and transmission, and maybe the condition of the fluids, what else would be a tipoff to future problems.
This is the real pain in the butt thing: I do not know anyone who could recommend a mechanic to go over it for me, and I do not know any expert users or mechanics myself. Under these circumstances, how else could I proceed to evaluate this machine? Oh, the fate of growing up in the 'burbs.
Finally, I can get a new Kioti CK30 for less ($15,500) or a TC29DA ($18,450) or a JD4310 ($18,500) for similar prices with FEL and R4, and a warranty. Am I foolish to think about the used one. I have a nagging suspicion that I am. 380 hours don't seem like too many for two years of (hard) use. I really like the big loader and lift available on the TC45.
It's tempting, but I just thought of two last questions bugging me about buying used:
If I do get stuck with a lemon, how expensive would parts and labor typically be for engine, transmission, hydraulics or loader repairs compaired to say, car repairs?
Is it reasonable to expect that the dealer would change the fluids and filters on a used tractor before delivery, or offer any other services I haven't thought about?
Thank you for any insights you might offer me. The smaller tractors can accomplish what I need to do, but the bigger one could do some things I maybe would like to do someday. Compromise is so difficult at times.
Maybe I am answering my own question by saying this, but the reason I had only considered new until now was the comfort of the warranty. I understand why tractors maintain both their utility and value as opposed to cars (i.e. a 15 year old car is usually worth little). If I have no realistic amount of time or expertise to repair engines or transmissions, would it be foolish to buy a used tractor without warranty.
I'll give you some specifics to see why I am puzzling this over:
A 2002 New Holland TC45D (hydro, deluxe package) with 16L front loader and 380 hours, for $18,500 and no warranty left. Dealer says it was a trade.
It appears to have been used mostly for loader work, as the cutting edge on the bucket is worn almost completely off on one side and there is a great deal of chipping and rust on the loader.
This is tempting for me in two ways. Of all the new tractors I've evaluated, I thought the TC45 would be the best fit me for what I want to do in the long haul. But I decided I cannot afford a new one. The $18-19k range is my absolute tops for tractor with FEL.
Questions I have include, would it be foolish to buy this used being that I am not mechanically inclined? Hopefully by the time a warranty is over on a new purchase I will have learned something about repairing the thing, but I'll never rebuild a motor.
Other than fluid leaks in the hydraulics, engine and transmission, and maybe the condition of the fluids, what else would be a tipoff to future problems.
This is the real pain in the butt thing: I do not know anyone who could recommend a mechanic to go over it for me, and I do not know any expert users or mechanics myself. Under these circumstances, how else could I proceed to evaluate this machine? Oh, the fate of growing up in the 'burbs.
Finally, I can get a new Kioti CK30 for less ($15,500) or a TC29DA ($18,450) or a JD4310 ($18,500) for similar prices with FEL and R4, and a warranty. Am I foolish to think about the used one. I have a nagging suspicion that I am. 380 hours don't seem like too many for two years of (hard) use. I really like the big loader and lift available on the TC45.
It's tempting, but I just thought of two last questions bugging me about buying used:
If I do get stuck with a lemon, how expensive would parts and labor typically be for engine, transmission, hydraulics or loader repairs compaired to say, car repairs?
Is it reasonable to expect that the dealer would change the fluids and filters on a used tractor before delivery, or offer any other services I haven't thought about?
Thank you for any insights you might offer me. The smaller tractors can accomplish what I need to do, but the bigger one could do some things I maybe would like to do someday. Compromise is so difficult at times.
