How many hours are to many

[arveeotto]

What john bud listed as thing to look for is an excelent start. The one thing I would add to the list is go out and buy yourself a ph test kit ( relatively inexpensive ), it can reveal alot about previous maintenance. If a wet sleeved engine has a reserve alkalinity level of 3.2 or lower, I would pass IMHO.
Rick

 

[doxford jim]

Hi,

To add to what has already been said, just don't go out and rush to buy one, just take your time.

When I bought my property (I came from the city) I bought the old tractor
(1959 MF-65) the owner had, without knowing anything about them. It started fine and had a FEL that could lift a 48" bucket full of wet soil fairly comfortably. It had power steering, 1 set remotes, TPH, 2 stage clutch. It started fine and didn't smoke and the only oil leak I found was the seal at the PTO shaft.
This tractor has 10,780 hours on the continental gas engine. My guess is the engine has been rebuilt once, but that is just a guess.

It works just fine for what I need and I would be able to sell it easily, I think, should I want to. I have had to some work work on it in the nearly three years I have owned it, but not much.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is, if it starts and runs fine with no major problems, regardless of meter hours, it is worth considering. The hours on the tractor you are considering makes it not much more than broken in and should be good for years. Be prepared to negotiate or walk away - just like buying a car.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Jim

 

[BTI]

I'll add that on a compact diesel....
it only takes one overzealous idiot with a can of ether to mess one up good and proper.

BTI

 

[SPYDERLK]

Looking for a tractor (dah) and think I know what HP I need. My question is, how many hours are to many, I.E engin is close to an overhall. I know it depends some on how hard it was driven but is there a rule of thum I should be following. For example, on Tractorhouse there is a Ford 1920 with 1169 hours for $6500. Good buy? High hours for the tractor? I really don't want to get it and have to turn around and have it overhaled (sp?).

Lots of good advice on engines. Bottom line on that is if it starts and runs and sounds as you would expect then you can extrapolate comfortably. Dont neglect a critical assessment of the other tractor systems. How does the transmission feel? What does the hyd fluid look like? Does the system work flawlessly? What do the controls feel like? Get someone with a lot of tractor time to work it for acouple hrs.
larry