Low hour used tractors

[Hunter8282]

Are used low hour tractors something to be concerned about?

For example, local dealer as a 2021 MF 1835m with 72.4 hours. That's like 18 hours per YEAR that the tractor actually ran!

I once bought a low mileage F150 that had sat a lot and it was nothing but problems with leaky seals, gaskets, etc.

 

[bearthebruce]

If you have interest in price, I would go see it.

But then I am biased as I operate a MF 1533 which is a cousin to the 1835.

Love that tractor and have put over 400 hours in the seat. Was bought in 2009 with about 80 hours on the clock. Operated on the property for 3 years, then sat for 7 years until I got on it and stated using it. Over the 3 years of use, the guy put 100 hours on it.

2016 we started using it heavily and now do more than 75 hours a year average. Great machine and we have had no issues... Yeah, we blew a steering Hydraulic hose - that was my fault because I was working brush and must have jammed a stick up into it and pierced the hose wall. It was bugger to replace but we got it!

Else, great machine.

So, would I look at a low hour machine? You bet...

We also just bought a low hour Kubota SVL65-2 tracked skid steer. It had 50 hours on the clock. We're hoping for good luck with that one too.

 

[big bubba]

my dealer comments that a utility M series tractor below 1k hrs is still low. hope that's the case as i will sell mine within a year with currently 850 hrs

a single owner tractor with a detailed maintenance log is a plus. i always recommend having an impartial tractor mechanic look at any 2nd hand tractor for sale regardless of hrs.

 

[Locoweed]

Buying used is almost always a gamble. That being said I would certainly check it out.

 

[RayIN]

My definition of low hours is less than 100hrs/yr.; and that does not consider how hard the tractor was used. Tractor hours are not how long the engine has been running.
A tractormeter is different than an hour-meter for a generator which records actual run-time.
Tractor hrs. are calculated by the meter. It runs the numbers then records what would be the equivalent of 1 hr. of use at rated PTO RPMs.
So that tractor might have been used for more hrs. but below PTO RPMs.

 

[big bubba]

the 2nd most important item i look for in addition to hour meter is....
maintenance/ service log & how many previous owners.. & yes, if the hour meter is mechanical tied to engine rpm, there could be many more operational hrs on an engine (esp rentals) with long idling, etc.
regardless, were i to purchase 2nd hand....i'd always consider hiring impartial tractor mechanic to go over despite "low hrs"

 

[dodge man]

Just my experience with smaller cuts and scuts, the hour meter records the time the tractor is running. In other words it doesn’t matter how hard it’s being worked. This may vary by brand. I sure wouldn’t be afraid of a low hour 4 year old tractor.

 

[EarPlug]

It may be a 2021 model but when was it put into service? It may have set unsold at the Dealer for a year or more.

 

[FullMetalBucket]

What year was the f150?

I bought a Softail Springer that was 15 years old with only 4500 miles on it. Didn’t leak one bit. The only thing it needed was new tires and new fluids. Not one bad seal or line.

Point is modern gaskets are way better than older stuff that would leak. I would check it out for sure.

 

[Tractorable]

Plenty of folks buy too small then trade up. Or financial priorities change and they don’t want a payment anymore.

I’m so cheap I’d gladly save thousands by buying a low hour used tractor.

 

[mikester]

For some reason low hour machines are selling for the same prices as new. I'd rather buy new at that point and get warranty.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Tractor hours are not how long the engine has been running.
A tractormeter is different than an hour-meter for a generator which records actual run-time.
Tractor hrs. are calculated by the meter. It runs the numbers then records what would be the equivalent of 1 hr. of use at rated PTO RPMs.

Days later and I'm still trying to figure out how my hour meter could know what I'm doing with the tractor.

It sure seems that it simply shows the time the engine has been running, and may even keep adding to the run-time with the engine off and ignition on.

Admittedly, I haven't timed it yet, but now I'm curious enough to do it.

 

[edgarrian]

Coming from a farming back ground and construction equipment operator. The biggest concern for me with the popularity of smaller tractors taking off. IS that homeowners don't check their equipment properly. As well as using it in a manner that creates stress points and possible failures down the road. I think for the most part you will be fine purchasing used but just realize there are a lot of people that dont know what they are doing

 

[RayIN]

Days later and I'm still trying to figure out how my hour meter could know what I'm doing with the tractor.

It sure seems that it simply shows the time the engine has been running, and may even keep adding to the run-time with the engine off and ignition on.

Admittedly, I haven't timed it yet, but now I'm curious enough to do it.

The last number is 1/10 of 1 hr.= 6 minutes.
Quote from Gary Fowler:
Used to be, all hours were clocked at PTO speed, less than RPM @PTO speed meant the hours rolled over slower. Now some of the lower end tractors just use an hour meter that runs when the key is turned on. This is OK I guess for lawnmowers where the engine runs full throttle almost all of the time but for a tractor, one really needs to monitor the engine time based on a RPM speed so we can properly assess the wear on the engine and especially the oil.

The only real way to tell is to turn on the key and see if the hour meter runs or it remains the same. 1/10 hour on the meter would be 6 minutes so it wont take long to see if the clock registers real time or engine PTO speed time.
Your owners manual will explain how your tractor records hours.
The final authority for your tractor is the operators manual.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Now some of the lower end tractors just use an hour meter that runs when the key is turned on. This is OK I guess for lawnmowers where the engine runs full throttle almost all of the time but for a tractor, one really needs to monitor the engine time based on a RPM speed so we can properly assess the wear on the engine and especially the oil.

Well, the L3800 rarely runs at PTO rpm, yet it seems to simply count engine hours.
Haven't paid enough attention to the M6040's meter readings to be able to tell, but I'll check that one, too, at some point. And it does run somewhat close to PTO rpm a couple of times per summer (when mowing).

Guess there are advantages to having these lower end tractors - they seem to show exactly what I expect an hour meter to show. Just like the Unimog backhoes.

Anyway, since I'm the only operator it's easy enough for me to properly assess how they have been used and when maintenance is appropriate.

 

[ptsg]

Electronic hour meters use their own internal timer and just get a signal from the alternator to know that the engine is running and will be accurate to the exact second. It's not dependent on the RPM like the mechanical hour meters.

 

[Bavarian]

The operation hours are counted as soon as the alternator is charging.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Electronic hour meters use their own internal timer and just get a signal from the alternator to know that the engine is running and will be accurate to the exact second. It's not dependent on the RPM like the mechanical hour meters.

That's what I thought. The RPMs sure don't seem to make any difference on mine.

 

[ptsg]

That's what I thought. The RPMs sure don't seem to make any difference on mine.

Basically, it uses the pulses from the alternator AC output for the tachometer to count the RPM. Some tractors may use the signal from a pickup sensor at the injection pump instead.

That signal is also used to so the hour meter knows the engine is running and can start adding hours.

I've timed the hour meter on mine and a tenth, is exactly 6 minutes, to the second.

 

[rScotty]

Days later and I'm still trying to figure out how my hour meter could know what I'm doing with the tractor.

It sure seems that it simply shows the time the engine has been running, and may even keep adding to the run-time with the engine off and ignition on.

Admittedly, I haven't timed it yet, but now I'm curious enough to do it.

I wouldn't spend much time trying to figure that out.
rScotty

....believing something doesn't make it true.