Buying a tractor sight unseen...

[Milo]

In this day and age one doesn't have to be so concerned in buying something "sight unseen". Ask questions such as airbuscuit posted. Photos can be sent instantly and for no cost so ask for lots of them including close ups. Ask for photos showing all "the worst parts of the tractor" such as dings, a tear in the seat, any leaks, etc. If the seller won't send high quality images or a video of the tractor running there's probably a reason, walk away. Also any and all services that were performed as well as any repairs done under warranty or beyond. Exercise good judgement but it's never been easier to buy something remotely than it is today.

 

[chim]

I've spent a fair amount of time shopping for used tractors. The scarcity of really clean units at good prices is why two of the last three times I bought new.

We bought the last tractor used with 977 hours on it. It took the best part of the year to find one that looked better in person than in the pictures, and the search wasn't strictly for a Kubota or even a particular horsepower. Parameters were cab with heat and A/C, loader, HST, around 40HP. Brands considered were Kubota, Kioti, New Holland, Mahindra and an Albino Kioti (Bobcat). A few were in decent shape but still had something negative that turned me away. Ran into things like twitchy FEL controls, strange noises or feel in the trans, etc.

 

[rew1953]

Dealer sites are probably okay. Used equipment is readily available, and dealers will not soil their reputation by selling bad equipment. Word gets around pretty fast on these forums. A bad rep is terribly hard to overcome. Also, you have a good chance with a dealer to obtain a sales history on the one you are interested in. It is a plus to talk to the previous owner to get all the facts on the machine and the reason it was traded off. I was fortunate to deal with a reputable dealer who supplied the previous owner's contact information. It turned out that the previous owner's main tractor laid down on him in the middle of hay season and was going to require major repairs, so he was needing a replacement 100 HP tractor quickly, and traded in the 55 HP Ford 4000 lot tractor. According to the owner, the 4000 had 2117 actual hours, but was in poor cosmetic shape for being stored outside. Mechanically, the tractor was in very good condition and turned out to be a great buy at $3300. The asking price was $4900 and listed as being in very good condition. I drove 400 miles to look at it personally. The fenders required complete rebuilding, no functioning lights, badly rusted rear rims, a non functioning PTO brake and one rear tire that was in really bad shape with gouges and dry rot. When I factored in the negatives from the inspection verses the listing, I made an offer of $3300 cash which was immediately accepted. It turns out the dealer was selling the tractor on consignment from the farmer who needed cash quickly for the down payment on the new tractor. I saved $1600 off the asking price, which was then spent making the necessary repairs. It turned out to be a WIN-WIN for both sides as my total costs including a 20 hour trip was slightly less than the original asking price. The on site inspection was worth the time and effort.

Here are the before and after photos.

 

[rew1953]

Dealer sites are probably okay. Used equipment is readily available, and dealers will not soil their reputation by selling bad equipment. Word gets around pretty fast on these forums. A bad rep is terribly hard to overcome. Also, you have a good chance with a dealer to obtain a sales history on the one you are interested in. It is a plus to talk to the previous owner to get all the facts on the machine and the reason it was traded off. I was fortunate to deal with a reputable dealer who supplied the previous owner's contact information. It turned out that the previous owner's main tractor laid down on him in the middle of hay season and was going to require major repairs, so he was needing a replacement 100 HP tractor quickly, and traded in the 55 HP Ford 4000 lot tractor. According to the owner, the 4000 had 2117 actual hours, but was in poor cosmetic shape for being stored outside. Mechanically, the tractor was in very good condition and turned out to be a great buy at $3300. The asking price was $4900 and listed as being in very good condition. I drove 400 miles to look at it personally. The fenders required complete rebuilding, no functioning lights, badly rusted rear rims, a non functioning PTO brake and one rear tire that was in really bad shape with gouges and dry rot. When I factored in the negatives from the inspection verses the listing, I made an offer of $3300 cash which was immediately accepted. It turns out the dealer was selling the tractor on consignment from the farmer who needed cash quickly for the down payment on the new tractor. I saved $1600 off the asking price, which was then spent making the necessary repairs. It turned out to be a WIN-WIN for both sides as my total costs including a 20 hour trip was slightly less than the original asking price. The on site inspection was worth the time and effort.

Here are the before and after photos.View attachment 661961View attachment 661961View attachment 661962View attachment 661963

 

[rew1953]

Dealer sites are probably okay. Used equipment is readily available, and dealers will not soil their reputation by selling bad equipment. Word gets around pretty fast on these forums. A bad rep is terribly hard to overcome. Also, you have a good chance with a dealer to obtain a sales history on the one you are interested in. It is a plus to talk to the previous owner to get all the facts on the machine and the reason it was traded off. I was fortunate to deal with a reputable dealer who supplied the previous owner's contact information. It turned out that the previous owner's main tractor laid down on him in the middle of hay season and was going to require major repairs, so he was needing a replacement 100 HP tractor quickly, and traded in the 55 HP Ford 4000 lot tractor. According to the owner, the 4000 had 2117 actual hours, but was in poor cosmetic shape for being stored outside. Mechanically, the tractor was in very good condition and turned out to be a great buy at $3300. The asking price was $4900 and listed as being in very good condition. I drove 400 miles to look at it personally. The fenders required complete rebuilding, no functioning lights, badly rusted rear rims, a non functioning PTO brake and one rear tire that was in really bad shape with gouges and dry rot. When I factored in the negatives from the inspection verses the listing, I made an offer of $3300 cash which was immediately accepted. It turns out the dealer was selling the tractor on consignment from the farmer who needed cash quickly for the down payment on the new tractor. I saved $1600 off the asking price, which was then spent making the necessary repairs. It turned out to be a WIN-WIN for both sides as my total costs including a 20 hour trip was slightly less than the original asking price. The on site inspection was worth the time and effort.

Here are the before and after photos.View attachment 661961View attachment 661961View attachment 661962View attachment 661963

 

[rScotty]

I do it and probably will again. I like good photos and videos plus talking to the owner. Never had a problem with shipping things - I tend to use small time shippers.
That said, I never had a problem at all doing sight unseen buys 30 years ago for tractors, trucks, and cars. But in the last 5 years I've gotten burned a few times on small things like implements. ... odd. ... I wouldn't have thought it worth their risk.
But things are definitely different now.
rScotty

 

[fried1765]

In this day and age one doesn't have to be so concerned in buying something "sight unseen". Ask questions such as airbuscuit posted. Photos can be sent instantly and for no cost so ask for lots of them including close ups. Ask for photos showing all "the worst parts of the tractor" such as dings, a tear in the seat, any leaks, etc. If the seller won't send high quality images or a video of the tractor running there's probably a reason, walk away. Also any and all services that were performed as well as any repairs done under warranty or beyond. Exercise good judgement but it's never been easier to buy something remotely than it is today.

Excellent analysis of the issue!

 

[Zebrafive]

I bought sight unseen from a dealer.
The good:
Dealer told me it was traded for a cab tractor, it was open station.
Dealer supplied original owner's phone number.
I had my local dealer run the serial number for history of warranty work.
Dealer supplied pictures.
Dealer accepted lower than asking price.
The bad:
Original owner said there was an oil leak he could not find. (good it was disclosed) I only list a "bad" since I had to find and fix it. Dealer did not disclose it (maybe was not aware?),started minor, then it got worse after several years, it was the suction hose for the hydraulics, bottom of the hose, not easy to see/find.
Two cosmetic items did not show in the pictures. An arm rest from the seat was missing, (I assumed it was folded up and not showing) and a plastic vent in the hood was broke (loader boom blocked this).

Overall:

All things considered, it was worth what I paid, maybe more, condition was as good or better than expected for it's hours/age. It was four years old, 2500 hours. It was a full size, farm used, tractor, not a SCUT

 

[finn1]

I suspect a lot depends on who you are as a buyer, and what your skill set encompasses.

If you have no or limited mechanical shills, just buy new, with a warranty.. same for time.

If you have Mechanical and electrical aptitude, and don’t mind tinkering, a long distance purchase might work out, but don’t have lofty expectations.

I rarely buy used anything on eBay any more, as most, but not all purchases end up a little short of the sellers description. I haven’t been badly burned, but have been disappointed.

With something as expensive as a tractor, a road trip to inspect would be a good, and mandatory investment before consummating the deal.

 

[GSVette]

I bought my LS( new, from dealer) sight unseen-I had seen a similar model at a closer dealer so I knew pretty much what I was getting.

Purchase was contingent on my inspection and test drive once I got to the selling dealer some 275 miles away).

Probably wouldn’t do same with a used unit.