Gizmo36,
I'd like to give my opinion on the ethics part of used tractors and dealers. And tell me what you honestly think, ok?
To me, If you alter or change out an hour meter on any make or model...well it's as deceiving as changing the expiration date on medication, canned foods or a gallon of milk. If any of these products are offered at the same, or a discounted price, someone is taking advantage of the consumer. Especially if he says, but never intends to replace (or repair) any of the above mentioned items.
Some may recall a few months back, a staunch supporter (dealer) of tractors imported from Vietnam. Nice enough guy and argued his points pretty well, but even he stated that 1 (or maybe 2) of the 5 big "factories" that recondition and export to the U.S. were good...and the others were questionable. If one does the math, I take that to mean 3 out of the 5 tractors imported (from there) may, or will have major problems. All of his tractors had zero hour meters and they retailed for as much and often more, per his own posts.
Even the individual dealers who's intentions are to stand behind these tractors are plagued with mechanical problems and returns, and most often are not equipped to handle so many failures.
Here is a perfect example (The Truth!), Not 5 minutes from me a person bought a YM2000D with a box blade and Bulldog loader. A very nice, shiny and new looking tractor purchased from XYZ in North TX. At 51 hours the steering brakes on one side is at or below 20% and the other side is 0%..or shoe to drum wear is metal to metal. It also has wiring problems and does not charge his second new battery. And now there is a very serious problem with the hydraulics...and he can only back the tractor up as he can't raise the loader, even after changing all the fluids, filters and cleaned reservoir screen. He asked me if I could fix all the problems ...I had to look the gentleman in the eye and tell him truthfully, I don't know. Because I don't know.
He has now (last week) offered me a substantial discount, drastic really, to buy the tractor...OR sell it for him and he would give me everything over $2600. Nearly a third of what his XYZ invoice and bill of sale indicated. I can't (won't) do it because it's a question of ethics.
Mark