Advice on pitfalls of buying used

[jfdlaw]

I think you need to decided why is the TC45 the best machine for you before you can make your decision, or before we can give you advice. Is it size, PTO capacity, loader capacity, ground engagement work? What use do you have that makes the TC45 better than the Deere 4310?

The 4310 is a great machine. Please note that I own orange so I'm not biased towards green. I've driven and used a TC40 and 4310. Of the NH/Case machines I liked the TC 35/40/45 series because (IMHO) they were more comfortable than the 29/33 series, and I liked the twin hydro pedals instead of the treadle pedal, but the 4310 is just as comfortable and has twin pedals.

 

[eee]

If the used tractor does not look like it has been used excessively and is priced substantially less than a new one,I would possibly gamble and buy the used without a warranty,whats the worst that could likely happen ?
If I found a used one I liked I would try to talk the former owner and get his input on the machine.
One thing abought buying a lightly used one is there is a good chance the bugs are worked out of it.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Well put! I AM biased, since I own the 4310, but I work the snot outta that thing, and its still green... It is a great unit.

 

[kybota]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think you need to decided why is the TC45 the best machine for you before you can make your decision, or before we can give you advice. Is it size, PTO capacity, loader capacity, ground engagement work? What use do you have that makes the TC45 better than the Deere 4310?
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Immediate need is moving a lot of dirt/clay/rock and grading my new home, so a bigger, better loader would help speed things up. I have had excavating contractors fail to deliver even remotely satisfactory work (unbelievably bad experiences), so I want to finish it myself.

I do not anticipate doing any finish mowing with the tractor, so maneuverability of the smaller tractors is not a compelling factor for me. We will be involved in some small scale hobby farming activities, primarily vegetables. I will be tilling upwards of two acres, and possibly doing some plowing. So draft control would be nice to have as well and is generally only available in the larger CUTs. Frankly, I don't need a small tractor, so the biggest I can comfortably afford makes sense. Which is why the used one was so tempting yesterday.

I don't think I can budge much from my $19,000 ceiling, and less is okay (hence the CK25/CK30 option). We've even considered buying two tractors, a subCUT first, and a used larger ag tractor later for about the same money combined, but this will not help my immediate need for a nice loader. I doubt I would be happy with a subCUT loader or ground clearance. 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, but I would anticipate only a small amount of this). After some hesitation, I've decided hydro suits us just fine.

And despite my user id, I am not a tractor mechanic by any stretch. My mindset now is I may rent something to move the dirt and buy a mid-size CUT.

 

[v8dave]

Go to the dealer and ask for a warranty from him (the dealer) for, say, a year. Tell him you want the warranty instead of a lower price. He may go for it. He's got to be expecting to sell the unit at lower than the current asking price. He may try to negotiate the warranty coverage, take a 30 day everything and keep a longer powertrain and hydraulics coverage.

Be prepared to buy if the deal is offered. If you aren't sure you'd buy it with the dealer warranty, you don't really want to buy used. But, it is a way to find out your preferences.

 

[Ryno1]

Hi fixit, not an expert but if your looking for opinions - 1 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. 2 - A suggestion, look for an older large tractor, maybe something comparable to a D17 - D21 with loader, cost probably $5-8000. Will not be as comfortable or easy to use but will do your loader work, plowing, tilling etc. Then later trade it for a new model when your finances allow the purchase of your dream tractor.

I've been using a D17 built in 1957 with no one knows how many hours for the past 3 or 4 years. No loader, brush clearing, a little plowing etc. Purchase cost of tractor, 2 used 6 ft bushhogs, plow, blade, landscape rake - about $4200. Three repairs - rebuilt starter, rebuilt generator, and rear tire repair about $700. Sometime in next 6 months I'll be shopping for a new tractor.

 

[jfdlaw]

OK, so you are looking primarily at loader capacity. The 45 does have greater capacity. If I remember correctly the Deere 430 lifts about 1000 lbs 19 inches infront of the pivot point and the NH16LA lifts about 1500 measured at the same point. (NH's claimed 2000 lbs is at the pivot point - you have to keep apples to apples and choose to look at either the pin capacity or the middle of the bucket)

The 16LA is also a curved loader which may give you greater visibility. That's one of those personal preference questions.

While I like the Deere 4310, IMO they dropped the ball on the loader arms. The NH curved arms are easier to work with. I did find the cycle time was slower on the NH (I was using a TC40) than on the Deere. I don't know why.

You can get the NH 16LA loader on a TC35 or 40. It lists the same capacities and may bring the price under your budget. A quick look at an internet dealer site indicates you can get a TC35DA (hydro deluxe) with 16LA for between 19K and 20K. Add a grand to get the TC40DA. (Please note I am an advocate of buying from your local dealer who will service your tractor, even if it costs a small amount more than an out of state dealer; the service will make up for a reasonable price difference) Also, don't fall into the "no sales tax" hype. Search this site for the threads discussing that topic.

If you can still get 0% financing I would go with one of those over the used machine. Remember that even if you have 19K in cash, investing it in a tractor and pulling it out of where ever you have it costs you something in lost interest. 2% 3%? more? If you have to borrow it it will cost you even more. Prime is at 4.5% In my mind 0% financing of 19K for 3 years would be worth $1,500 to $2,000. That brings the effective price of the new TC35 down to 17-18K compared to buying used without financing

The warranty has to be worth a few thousand in peace of mind alone. Figuring in financing and warranty and I would go for a TC35DA or 40DA instead of the used machine.

Of course, your best idea might be to rent a real excavator when you need it and buy a tractor suited to your long term needs.

I rent a chipper every spring and fall. If I was to buy one I would spend at least $5K. The unit I rent is bigger than anything I would buy and costs me about $150 for a weekend. I'll go visit my friends at the rental yard a few times a year and let them maintain it.

I don't have any experience with the other brands you mention. Good luck with the search. I'm sure you will be happy with whatever you choose.

 

[rozett]

Another option would be to rent a larger tractor/loader to do the ground work around your home site and then buy a new CUT to handle the plowing and gardening tasks. Even two acres of vegetables is a relatively small plot and I think you would appreciate the smaller CUT to do that work.

 

[KiotiJohn]

No one else has said this, but I'm suspect of those hours on that tractor. If the loader is all that worn, then a LOT of loader work was done, and was probably done commercially.
I'm not doing commercial work and put over two hundred hours on in 7 months.
Working it commercially, that tractor could easily have those hours in a couple of months.
A two year old tractor with about 15-16 hours a month and the bucket is worn out? I'm not so sure.
Now, many people post they have bought used equipment and used it for many years with no problem, but if you're not mechanical and you do have problems, you're going to have expenses that may put you over the price of buying a new machine with warranty. Some of the problems you may experience would require the tractor be split in two to make the repairs. You're not ready for that, and it's not generally a cheap thing to have done. Parts can be much more expensive than auto parts as well. Just food for thought. John

 

[froggy]

I second what John said about splitting a tractor. I bought a very old IH tractor (knowing it needed work) and ended up putting way too much money into before I called it quits on fixing it. If I had to do it over again, I would purchase new.