Simple Ways to Keep Your Farm Running

When buying a used tractor, many farmers tend to focus only on the potential cost savings they stand to realise from a reduction in the purchase price instead of analysing the machine's true value. Yet, a tractor's purchase price is the last thing that should be considered before making a purchase decision.

The purchase price set aside, what are some of the important factors that shouldn't be looked into before purchasing a used tractor? Read along to find out.

1. Tractor Engine Power 

Tractors are available in a wide range of engine sizes to suit the needs of different tractor users. The more horsepower an engine delivers, the heavier the work it can perform. When buying a used tractor for your farm operations, think about your farm size. The bigger your farm is, the more power you will require to get work done fast and efficiently.

2. Tractor Hours

The same way you'd check the mileage on a used car before buying it, you should check how many hours are on a used tractor before committing to buying it. The fewer hours there are on a tractor, the more service life it has left and vice versa. As a result, used tractors with fewer hours are generally more desirable than those with many hours on them.

3. Tractor Maintenance History

Unless a used tractor is well-maintained, fewer tractor hours don't matter. A tractor that hasn't been properly maintained during the previous years of use may require expensive repair and parts replacement to get back to optimal operating conditions. Plus, they may be a major safety hazard if used in their as-is condition. Evaluate if the lower price is worth it to you.

For this reason, you should check the maintenance records of any used tractor you intend to buy before making an offer. 

4. Tractor Specifications

Each tractor make and model has specific features that should be looked at in order to identify the machine that is configured to suit your needs. Aside from the engine size, check other things such as the transmission type, weight of the tractor itself and more.

If you're going to do farm work on hilly terrain, for example, getting a tractor with 4WD capabilities is imperative. 

The above buying guide should help you get the best deal on a used tractor, but if you need help with your purchase, you can always talk to an expert near you.

To learn more about tractors for sale, contact an agricultural supply store.