Dongerosa
Bronze Member
Hello TBN attachment forum, I'm new to looking at used equipment. Looking for some help...What items or things should I be looking for? what questions to ask? Thanks 
Tiller found a used befco tiller...
- Thread starter Dongerosa
- Start date
- Views: 1426
kebo
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 16, 2006
- Messages
- 2,928
- Location
- Lexington, SC
- Tractor
- 2001 John Deere 790 4x4, bar tires
I would ask the following:
1) how many hours (estimated of course) of use on it?
2) if the seller is the original buyer of it, then how old is it?
3) does the seller have a manual for it somewhere?
4) did seller ever had to make any repairs such as rebuild a gearbox, weld a crack, etc?
As for appearance, I would check the following:
1) look for any repairs such as cracks that have been welded.
2) if it has a gearbox, check for any leaks and check the oil to see how it looks.
3) check for wear on teeth or blades, excess play in bearings, loose nuts, etc..
4) for chain driven equipment, check for wear on chain and gears & tension of the chain for stretching.
5) look for anything that could be bent out of symmetry (especially in the 3pt hitch hardware). This could cause it to dig/till/scrape deeper on one side compared to the other side.
Some general comments:
I would try and find out the exact brand (who it was made by) and the model number before you go see it. Then, research it on the internet and try to find what it sold for new, and then how much they are going for used. Do your homework! It's not that hard with so many places in the internet that sale used implements. tractorhouse.com is a real good place to start for comparison shopping. Google is good too! Also, if the seller has a tractor, then ask if you can try out the attachment. Sometimes the seller will decide to get out of tractors and they may sell it first, and then be stuck with some attachments they are trying to get rid of. Or, if the seller is not too far away, maybe you could trailer your tractor there and try the attachment out on your tractor?
Finally, if you have done your homework and satisfied yourself that it's a good used piece of equipment, and the price is reasonable, ask the seller what's the least they would take for it?? If your hunch tells you it's not a good deal, then just walk away from it. There are far too many implements for sale out there to take home a lemon. I am sure others here will offer some good advice as well.
Good luck!
Keith
1) how many hours (estimated of course) of use on it?
2) if the seller is the original buyer of it, then how old is it?
3) does the seller have a manual for it somewhere?
4) did seller ever had to make any repairs such as rebuild a gearbox, weld a crack, etc?
As for appearance, I would check the following:
1) look for any repairs such as cracks that have been welded.
2) if it has a gearbox, check for any leaks and check the oil to see how it looks.
3) check for wear on teeth or blades, excess play in bearings, loose nuts, etc..
4) for chain driven equipment, check for wear on chain and gears & tension of the chain for stretching.
5) look for anything that could be bent out of symmetry (especially in the 3pt hitch hardware). This could cause it to dig/till/scrape deeper on one side compared to the other side.
Some general comments:
I would try and find out the exact brand (who it was made by) and the model number before you go see it. Then, research it on the internet and try to find what it sold for new, and then how much they are going for used. Do your homework! It's not that hard with so many places in the internet that sale used implements. tractorhouse.com is a real good place to start for comparison shopping. Google is good too! Also, if the seller has a tractor, then ask if you can try out the attachment. Sometimes the seller will decide to get out of tractors and they may sell it first, and then be stuck with some attachments they are trying to get rid of. Or, if the seller is not too far away, maybe you could trailer your tractor there and try the attachment out on your tractor?
Finally, if you have done your homework and satisfied yourself that it's a good used piece of equipment, and the price is reasonable, ask the seller what's the least they would take for it??
If your hunch tells you it's not a good deal, then just walk away from it. There are far too many implements for sale out there to take home a lemon. I am sure others here will offer some good advice as well.Good luck!
Keith
