HarleyHetz
New member
Looking at a 1975 Ford 3000 Diesel with a Bush Hog attachment. She has the 8 speed tranny, and is purported to be in "Excellent Shape" with everything, including the lights in working order.
I know virtually NOTHING about tractors, but have spent 30 years in Industrial Maintenance. Point being, I know my way around a gear box, can troubleshoot/repair hydraulics, electrical, and mechanical systems of all sorts.
I have searched the forums, and have found LOTS of tractor buying threads, but MOST seem to be about price. I've done my research, and the price of this tractor is in line with others selling around the country. So, this is not a post about how much I should pay...rather this is a post about what I should look for, and where it is located.
For instance, I know from reading on the forums that I should look for diesel in the oil in the inline pump, what I don't know, is HOW do I do that?? Is there a dip stick? Do I need to pull a plug? Shine a flashlight in a hole?? Where is the inline pump located, I mean I'm sure I can probably figure it out since it is "inline" I should be able to follow the line from the fuel tank up to the injectors and it would be somewhere in there...but I don't really want to go out there and look like I haven't a clue...a knowledgable buyer pays less than a newb usually...
I know enough to check the oil and antifreeze, I know enough to check the U-joints on the bush hog drive shaft to ensure that they are not sloppy or look like they've never been greased, I know enough to check the front end for slop, to start the engine cold and look for excess smoke, listen for knocks, ask for maintenance records...I know to crawl around under it and look for leaks, I have seen several posts where "SoundGuy" has said to put it in high gear, rev it up a bit, and ease the clutch out, she should stall out if the clutch is good...
So, to anyone who owns one of these babies, or works on them regularly, any advice/tips you can offer will be greatly appreciated!!
I know virtually NOTHING about tractors, but have spent 30 years in Industrial Maintenance. Point being, I know my way around a gear box, can troubleshoot/repair hydraulics, electrical, and mechanical systems of all sorts.
I have searched the forums, and have found LOTS of tractor buying threads, but MOST seem to be about price. I've done my research, and the price of this tractor is in line with others selling around the country. So, this is not a post about how much I should pay...rather this is a post about what I should look for, and where it is located.
For instance, I know from reading on the forums that I should look for diesel in the oil in the inline pump, what I don't know, is HOW do I do that?? Is there a dip stick? Do I need to pull a plug? Shine a flashlight in a hole?? Where is the inline pump located, I mean I'm sure I can probably figure it out since it is "inline" I should be able to follow the line from the fuel tank up to the injectors and it would be somewhere in there...but I don't really want to go out there and look like I haven't a clue...a knowledgable buyer pays less than a newb usually...
I know enough to check the oil and antifreeze, I know enough to check the U-joints on the bush hog drive shaft to ensure that they are not sloppy or look like they've never been greased, I know enough to check the front end for slop, to start the engine cold and look for excess smoke, listen for knocks, ask for maintenance records...I know to crawl around under it and look for leaks, I have seen several posts where "SoundGuy" has said to put it in high gear, rev it up a bit, and ease the clutch out, she should stall out if the clutch is good...
So, to anyone who owns one of these babies, or works on them regularly, any advice/tips you can offer will be greatly appreciated!!
