When I started farming for a living, I realized that there were more than a few things I needed to work on. For starters, I needed to go through and think carefully about my schedule, and then I needed to read up on the biology of plants. I worked hard to understand agricultural topics, and before I knew it, my crop was thriving. It took a lot of work, but I was really pleased that I was able to get everything sorted out. This blog is here to help other people to understand agricultural problems and to address them efficiently in a timely manner.
The homesteading life is all about sustaining yourself and your family with the land that you have, which usually means you are responsible for growing and maintaining crops, whether it is wheat, vegetables, or otherwise. All this work would be possible without a tractor, but a tractor will definitely make life on the homestead a little easier. Most new homesteaders seek out a used tractor for sale to use on their property but buying used can come along with some concerns. You don't want to inherit someone else's problems, so here is a short list of things to check before buying a used tractor for your homestead.
1. Pay close attention to restoration efforts.
On the surface, a used tractor with things like a fresh paint job, a new seat, and replacement rubber seals will look like a good thing or as of the previous owner was really attentive to making the tractor look like new. While this definitely could be the case, these updates can also be hiding something you may not want in your used tractor.
For example, a tractor that has been heavily restored may have suffered a fire or flood damage, and the restoration efforts are merely an effort to cover up other issues. Make sure you know what to look for that will let you know the tractor has sustained major damage at some point in the past.
2. Look for even wear and tear.
A tractor that has gone through a lot of hours will have natural wear and tear to coincide with those usage hours. For example, a highly used tractor will have things like worn tires and worn foot pedal. If the wear on the tractor does not match the hours on the meter or what the seller is telling you, you should dig deeper to find out why that is the case.
3. Check carefully for signs of leaks around the tractor.
Take the tractor for a test drive if possible, park it, and then look for signs of leaks. Check for hydraulic fluid around lift mechanisms, oil on the tires from the engine, and diesel on the ground. If you spot any leaks, find out why the tractor is leaking and if the matter has ever been professionally checked out. Most leaks can be repaired, but these are issues you should know about before you hand over your money and take the tractor home.
For more information on tractors for sale near you, contact your local equipment supplier.
Share17 May 2018
