When buying a used tractor, a very important consideration is the age of the tractor. If you encounter a used tractor dealer who is unwilling to tell you the truth, you need to judge the condition of the tractor yourself. Mechanical condition, maintenance, and operating intensity are all strongly related to the age of the tractor. The following five key tips can help you accurately assess the remaining useful life of the tractor and ensure that you buy the best value for money used tractor.
Evaluate Engine Condition
The engine is the core component that provides power to the tractor. The condition of the engine can largely determine how long a tractor can be used. Therefore, it is necessary to check whether the engine starts smoothly. You should try to run it before deciding to buy it. If there is a lot of noise or abnormal smoke (such as black smoke, blue smoke, white smoke) during the process, run away. In addition, if the engine consumes fuel quickly, you’d better not buy it. If you are considering buying a used engine, Kubota is a good brand to choose. It has a high market share in North America, and you can also easily get Kubota parts online.
Check Gearbox & Drive System
The gearbox and drive system are responsible for power transmission. They can ensure the smooth operation of the tractor under different working conditions. When test driving, you can focus on whether the tractor changes speed smoothly, and pay attention to whether there is obvious abnormal noise or jamming when shifting gears. Don’t forget to check the wear of the drive shaft, clutch, and differential.
Observe Structural Integrity of Chassis & Frame
The chassis of the tractor is the load-bearing part of the machine. Here, it is mentioned that there are two main chassis structures of tractors, one is tire-type and the other is crawler-type. The advantage of tire-type tractors is that they are more convenient to move and relatively easy to maintain, and are more suitable for flat farms or urban environments. Crawler-type tractors can generally withstand greater operating intensity. Your checklist, Check whether the chassis has obvious rust, cracks, or deformation. Especially tractors that have been operating in high humidity and heavy load environments for a long time are more prone to structural damage.
Test Performance of Hydraulic System
The hydraulic system is also a key indicator for judging the service life and performance of the tractor, which directly affects the working device of the tractor. Such as the front loader, hydraulic lifting system, etc. You need to check whether the pressure supply of the hydraulic pump is sufficient. Whether there is leakage in the hose and whether the hydraulic oil is deteriorated are important indicators for judging the health of the system. If the hydraulic system is slow to respond or cannot provide sufficient lifting force, then the actual age of the machine may be older than the lock knows. Its internal seals have aged, and it is more likely that the pump body will wear out, affecting the working efficiency.
Evaluate Tire & Driving System
It is not so accurate to judge the use of a machine from the use of the tire. As a replaceable accessory, tires are very common in the use of tractors and singing voice replacement and upgrade. You can observe the wear of the tires and ask about the replacement history. If you buy a crawler machine, it will be more troublesome to repair it. When driving, pay attention to whether the driving is smooth. If there is a jam, then the machine is likely to have a history of crawler derailment.
Conclusion
Through the above five inspection items, I believe you can roughly judge the use of a tractor. The cost of a tractor is high, but a day’s machine can be used for a long time and bring a lot of benefits. The inheritance of tractors between generations and the circulation of second-hand markets are very common. But you still need to keep your eyes open. For equipment that has been severely worn or the repair cost is too high, timely replacement may be a more economical option. Bought a used tractor, but don’t know where to buy tractor parts for older models? Come to FridayParts, this website provides various types of tractor aftermarket parts. No matter how old the model is, you can find suitable high-quality parts!
