Harvest lease return VS. New

[Joe1]

16 months ago I purchased a 1998 JD 770 with 229 hours from a private party. It had been a vineyard lease return when new and had left the dealer then with 52 hours. It is very common here in the Central Coast of California with all the vineyards. The tractors when leased do not even have FELs on them. They are used just to tow trailers through the vineyards at harvest time and light work, not even plowing, and virtually no PTO time. When returned, the dealer then installs a new FEL.

The vineyards usually lease from the big three so they can maintain good support/supply reltations with all the dealers in case there is a factory strike or whatever, they aren't stuck.

No complaints on mine.

Good luck. Joe

 

[thcri]

I was told to break it in the way you where going to use it. Now the only other thing was to never run the same RPM for more than twenty minutes or so. In other words change the RPM every so often as this helps everything seat. Otherwise let her go.

murph

 

[Woodcab]

Well the long wait has ended. Tractor arrived late this afternoon, and I got the walk through from my dealer. It got dark before I could do much with it, unfortunatly. I decided to go with the harvest return and this took a little time for one to become available. It has 121 hours and a few light scratches, but I can live with that. I'll post the details and pictures in the NH forum in a few days, I think tomorrow will be a tractor play day. I mean a work day. Yea that's what I'll tell my wife.

Thanks to all those who helped me along the way with your advice.

 

[Mark4510]

Matt,
Congratulations and I think your choice to go with a rental return is a wise one. Most of the harvesting is done in this area and there are fleets of nice tractors waiting for new owners.

What did you end up with?

Mark

 

[Woodcab]

Mark, I ended up with TC40DA, 121 hours. I'll post details and pictures this weekend in the NH forum. Spent about 7 hours on the tractor yesterday, what a blast!

 

[btolle]

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It has 121 hours and a few light scratches, but I can live with that. ------------<SNIPPED>---------------
)</font>

I am in favor of it having a few scratches when you get it. That way you don't mind getting a few more on it.

I own a Jeep and lots of Jeepers say that "scratches add character".

Congratulations on the new tractor. Now go fling some dirt!

Bill Tolle

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Good choice, have fun!

At our Dodge dealership, every other year a fellow gets himself a new truck. As soon as he takes delivery , he goes to our shop to borrow a nice hammer. BANG!! "There, that's outta the way", he says, and off he drives...