Advice on pitfalls of buying used

Bowhunter · Oct 13, 2004

( According to their dealer search, there is one near Cincinatti and I might be able to drive some there. )
I think I've read that Century tractors are similar if not the same as Mahindra. If there's not a Century dealer closer to Louisville, there is one in Jasper, IN close to me. It will be about the same drive time as Cincy for you.

BigEddy · Oct 13, 2004

I bought used - I'm not that mechanically inclined. I had the local dealer provide a written inspection report on the (private) tractor I was looking at, including an estimate for anything they identified as must fix / might fix. While I offered to pay, they did it for free, even though it wasn't their tractor. Took an hour or so and gave me a good idea of what I might be risking, though not a guarantee. Your selling dealer should be willing to provide the same.

My tractor had 1000 hours on it when I got it. I've put another 300 on it with no expensive repairs. I have a couple of minor leaks at seals - they were there initially and the dealer categorized them as might fix - and I haven't yet - but I know what they would cost to fix.

328 hours is nothing on a tractor of this type if maintenance has been done. Physical appearance should give a good indicator of the quality of care the tractor received. Maintenance records would be a bonus, but checking for leaks, inspecting fluids etc. will also give a good idea.

If you think you would benefit from the larger tractor, then I say ask the dealer to stand behind the unit with a warranty / buy back period and get the used unit. There are a lot of stories on this board of people selling nearly new tractors and buying bigger!

sweettractors · Oct 13, 2004

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? 

If you feel uncomfortable with the dealer and what he is telling you? You probably need to look for another dealer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Wildlife Foodplot Implements, Seed and Feed*

Soundguy · Oct 13, 2004

I priced a new tc48a? and it was about 24K$

Soundguy

Soundguy · Oct 13, 2004

( That is why I have looked mostly at the25-30hp CUTs, after I realized I could not afford the 45 hst (yes, I know it is not best for plowing, )

11 hp tractors can plow.( IH cub with a disc plow or which way plow ). a 20-30 hp tractor can plow good. ( 26 hp ford 9n with a 2 - 14 bottom plow ).

Draft control is niice for plowing.. but if your going to roto-till anyway.. whats the use?

Soundguy

Soundguy · Oct 13, 2004

( Repairs in my limited experience are higher then on a car. Example a rebuilt starter for a car might run $100 for a tractor could be $300. )

Naa.. that's subjective, and depends on the tractor. I've rebuilt 3 starters on tractors.. less than 100 each, and these were full rebuilds.. trashed fields and everything. Same with gennies. Rebuilt gennies for 80 bucks, and that included a new regulator...

Water pump for my dodge truck costs about 4 times as much as on my ford tractor. Starter on my dodge truck costs in the 300$ range.. my tractor starter is about 150$

So far.. tires are about the only more expensive thing I've found on a tractor. Heck an in tank fuel pump R&R is 500+ bucks....

If you've got a rare tractor.. or are doing very specific work that is replacing a whole unit.. say.. like a transmission.. or front axle.. then you will run into bigger bills.. but the same is true on a car...

Soundguy

DK35vince · Oct 13, 2004

( Water pump for my dodge truck costs about 4 times as much as on my ford tractor. Starter on my dodge truck costs in the 300$ range.. my tractor starter is about 150$ )

Those are mighty pricey truck parts !! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I put are reconditioned starter in my F-250 Ford $40, water pump was $30.
John Deere wanted nearly $400 for a starter on my 850, rebuilt it for $100.

MrMagoo · Oct 16, 2004

I also bought a used tractor and am not mechanically inclined. I bought an L2050DT earlier this year with about 1200 hours on it. I paid less than half of what a new tractor would cost. I bought it from an individual so no warranty. I recommend trying to get a warranty from the dealer. So far I have invested nearly 1000 dollars parts and repairs on my used tractor and have had it about 5 months. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Im not trying to scare you away from buying used. You just need to budget for things like this. Even with spending the money for repairs, my tractor has only cost me slightly more than half the price of buying new. It cranks every time and does just what I need it to do.