Used Tractor?

[newbury]

How can I convince my Dad that buying a used tractor isn't necessarily buying someone's headaches?<snip>

You can't. It is. If everyone LOVED their tractor they wouldn't sell it. But why is the seller dissatisfied? Why is it HIS headache?

There are many reasons people sell their tractors. Especially when you are looking at under 40hp.

First why are they for sale?
Many people start out with a small tractor, maintain them well and realize they don't need one at all. Others work them to death and don't maintain them at all.

Does the person selling have a life changing experience?

You should not be looking for a GREAT bargain on line. If they are smart enough to get on line they should be able to figure an approximate value.
What are they selling?
A bare tractor w/o FEL etc will usually cost more when you add new attachments, and used attachments are a whole nuther story.

I knew diddly about CUTs when I started looking, actually wanted a skid steer.
This forum pointed me towards a TLB. After a few months I had decided on what I needed and had monitored auctions, dealers, used sites, Craigslist, and relatives in Mississippi.

I think the guy that sold me my tractor just didn't really need it. He had had it for two years plus. it was out of warranty, and from the looks of the attachments, the repair history from the original dealer, and the meter, he hadn't really used it that much. He put on 240 hours in two years. I didn't use it only about an hour the first month and a half either. But I was waiting for the BH, and now I've put on about 10 hours after a week. His headache has become my smile.

Look at a used car - the average is say 12,000 miles per year, which probably represents at least 300 hours per year. Most CUTs are easier to maintain than complicated cars. But would you buy a used car without knowing the repair history?

If your a prudent buyer you can make someone else's headache a solution to your backache.

 

[parallel]

Good points made by all. I have realized that my Dad is just one of those who would prefer to not have to deal with issues, so he buys new and hopes for the best.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

When I hear these folks who say you CAN'T buy a used tractor that's reliable, I have to laugh. Whatta you suppose their NEW tractor is 10 minutes after they start USING it?

New is nice. I own several new or "newer" tractors. I also own several OLD tractors. The MOST RELIABLE one I own happens to be the OLDEST one I own.

New means your semi-reliable tractor has a warranty. Buying "used" means it's already been through warranty issues period and made it out the other end......

In far too many cases, buying new is a huge waste of resources. Buy the RIGHT used tractor, keep money in pocket for buying implements, fuel, your FUTURE, ect......

 

[Gizmo2]

Last year I traded my 1988 JD 650 FEL/BH in on my 2320, bought the 650 new. The tractor was sold in less than a week. I don't know who bought it or how much they paid but I will say they got a VERY reliable tractor in good shape. Now..., buying parts may be a problem.

 

[/pine]

to elimninate many of the headaches check with as many dealers as possible... one of the most common reasons people buy new tractors is to upgrade...

If you shop at enough dealers you can find used tractors that the dealer originally sold to the original owner that they (the dealer) maintained...This means that the dealer has a complete maintainence record...many times they will offer some warranty...

often you can find tractors that are just barely broken in and eliminate some of the early (like first 50 hours) service maintainence costs...

buying a used (traded in) tractor from a dealer that had performed all scheduled service caneliminate many of the questionable aspects that buying from an individual poses...