Taking In Used Tractor -- What To Care For First?

[RobertBrown]

Change the oil, engine and trans/hydraulic and.....filters..... grease zerks......then fix what breaks. I would not go the preventive route at this time in that tractors life. Save your money for the big ticket item and hope it doesn't happen.
Your lucky in that parts for that machine are not hard to come by

 

[Coyote machine]

Skip the pressure washing- it often causes more problems than it solves. Water under high pressure gets into places it does not belong on tractors, especially the gauges and relays. Use a hose and a sponge/nylon brush, etc. and give it a bath. Then if there is still grime/caked on dirt on the wheels or similar use a pressure washer only on select areas, be selective and control where the water goes.

 

[eventer79]

Good point about the water. Hmmm, I'll have a go at sic'ing the perfectionist boyfriend on the washing part. Then I get to play with the much more fun mechanical stuff (horse women - we're like that). I'm heading up to the local shop today to have chat and pick up a couple filters and chat about some parts. It doesn't have a PTO cover (either the overhead or screw on one) anymore on the back (haven't checked belly PTO yet) and in the winter, I may just have the harrow on, so I'd like to protect the thing after I clean the gunk off.

Thanks, y'all are great! I need to buy some Locktite anyway, definitely a good reminder about checking the bolts (although I think right now, many may be rusted on -- my usual approach is attack with WD40, warn me if this is for some reason bad for tractors).

 

[rsallen]

When I started going over my TC30 and discovered loose FEL mounts bolts my first thought too was screw that I'll put lock-tite on them.
Then just for shi!s and grins I talked to an old tractor guy that's been messing about with tractors forever.
Here's what he had to say about lock-titing the FEL mounting bolts; 'Yeah, I did that once and the bolts sheared off and then I had to drill them out. Just put retightening the on the list of regular service items.'
If you use the FEL heavily do it more often then not.

 

[newbury]

Get a toolbelt or cargo pants with room for a can of Blaster (PB Penetrating Catalyst) or WD40. I'm always finding something that needs a squirt. Now I'm starting to carry Fluid Film at times. Rust is your enemy and anything that can be done to stop it helps.

And my comment on hydraulic hoses should have included that those that look the worst may hang on for a long time while others blow first.

 

[Coyote machine]

Good point about the water. Hmmm, I'll have a go at sic'ing the perfectionist boyfriend on the washing part. Then I get to play with the much more fun mechanical stuff (horse women - we're like that). I'm heading up to the local shop today to have chat and pick up a couple filters and chat about some parts. It doesn't have a PTO cover (either the overhead or screw on one) anymore on the back (haven't checked belly PTO yet) and in the winter, I may just have the harrow on, so I'd like to protect the thing after I clean the gunk off.

Thanks, y'all are great! I need to buy some Locktite anyway, definitely a good reminder about checking the bolts (although I think right now, many may be rusted on -- my usual approach is attack with WD40, warn me if this is for some reason bad for tractors).

WD-40 is good, Kroil is best: Google Deal

Not cheap, but guaranteed to get the job done.

 

[California]

... hydraulic hoses ... those that look the worst may hang on for a long time while others blow first.

That's my experience. For an extreme example take a look at these photos I put over in the Yanmar forum a few days ago in response to another 'new' owner who had pretty much the same questions as eventer here. I'm showing 30 year old hoses that have looked terrible for the ten years I've owned the tractor - but still give good service.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/yanmar/295689-yanmar-155d-loader-value.html#post3536667

 

[DK35vince]

Skip the pressure washing- it often causes more problems than it solves. Water under high pressure gets into places it does not belong on tractors, especially the gauges and relays. Use a hose and a sponge/nylon brush, etc. and give it a bath. Then if there is still grime/caked on dirt on the wheels or similar use a pressure washer only on select areas, be selective and control where the water goes.

I've been pressure washing my tractors for years. Top to bottom, including the engine. Never hurt a thing.

 

[California]

One of the dumb beginner mistakes I made on the first Yanmar was to pressure wash a mud dauber nest out from under the voltage regulator. I didn't realize it was an old school regulator with vents under there to cool the mechanical relays inside. Smoked the regulator then soon, the alternator. The good news is Yanmar had spec'ed the same Hitachi components as '72 Datsun. Under $50, total, at Autozone for an identical regulator and alternator and I was back in business.

 

[Coyote machine]

I've been pressure washing my tractors for years. Top to bottom, including the engine. Never hurt a thing.

That's great, BUT you probably know what to lookout for, I would doubt you have aimed at firewall mounted relays, etc. like so many who learn the hard way when things meant to be shielded from water get wet and short out or worse. YMMV.