ford 3910

[rotcart]

I am about to be a first time tractor owner. I have narrowed my search to two ford 3910s.

One id from an individual who says he knows the past 5 year history of the tractor, looks to be in great condition 1500 hrs,

The second is from a garage (1800 hrs) that reconditions tractors and sells them. This one is repainted, new clutch, new wet brakes, new seals, rebuilt injector.
They are willing to do a compression check on each cylender with me there. Is this any indicator of the wear on the tractor? Does anyone know what it should be?

both cost 7500, any thoughts as to what to use as a deciding vote? Having not done this before, I don't want to buy someones problem.

 

[RickB]

Compression should be above 350, better near 400, and all 3 within 50 or less. I wonder why an 1800 hour tractor needed brakes. They should run 3000-8000 hours or more. What else does it need that you can't see? From what you describe, I like the 1500 hour private sale tractor much better.

 

[Woodbeef]

I'm with Rick on this one. Why did a 1800 hour Ford need that much work unless it was worse than beat to death its whole life? Think about the price the jockey must of paid for a tractor in that condition,and what all he did to it was worth. He still came out at only a sale price of $7500. I'd go with the other one.

 

[jinman]

I'll put in the third vote for the 1500 hour tractor. I'd much rather have a well-cared-for 1500 hr tractor than one that needed so much work in only 1800 hours.

At only $7500, that 3910 sounds like a very good buy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif