Another question I have is, the only thing we have to go off of is his word. So far he has been off a little on the weight, price he paid for the tractor. I read that the hour meter only goes up to 999. Is there a way to find out for sure if it hasn't turned 1,014 hrs????
He seemed like an honest guy and obviously took very good care of the tractor but part of me still can't get over the fact it only has 14hrs on it! ��
If he used it for 1000 hours and it still looks like that, it has been so babied the hours don't matter anyway. There is no way to check the hours aside from the meter. It is a mechanical connection from the engine to the tachometer. While it is conceivable someone would unhook the tach to prevent the hour meter from accruing time, it doesn't seem like he had any incentive to do that. The machine looks brand new.
One can infer the amount (or maybe more accurately, the type and severity of use) by looking at the pedals, floorboards, seat, and other parts of the machine. Worn paint or tread plates show lots of use, and probably in a gritty environment.
Missing battery hold down plates are one of my indicators, too: missing or improvised forms of this indicates, to me, someone who had difficulty affording a new battery, and instead cobbled something out of leftovers. While the tractor doesn't care what battery it has, I am always suspicious that a person who cannot buy a $50 battery before losing the battery hold down may not
have been diligent about regular oil and filter changes or other maintenance.
I don't know what you mean by being off on the weight of the thing, but consider giving him a pass on that one. The 186D is a dense block of a compact tractor. I always think mine would be fairly light for some reason, even though I know better. I've never weighed it, but it must weigh around 2000 lbs without me on it: The published weight for the tractor alone is 1538 lbs per Yanmar, and estimating 250 lbs of water in the tires (all 4 are filled), another 175lbs of wheel weights and another 100 lbs for the cultivators, it's over 2000 lbs before the operator is on or the front suitcase weights are added, piling another 250 lbs on.
It is funny to watch a guy who is strong think he can lift the front of it "and just slide it over a bit" on the trailer. :laughing: The engine alone is 250 lbs or so, the suitcase weights are another 250, the axle and tires are at least 250 lbs again. It is pretty tough to dead-lift 800 lbs while hunched over. In other words, although it is the size of an ATV, don't put a couple cinch straps on the tractor and call it good. Those work great for motorcycles, but
are not anywhere near strong enough for these tractors.
I don't think there are any tricks really or things to look out for. The three point lift is very strong and speedy. That makes it tougher to carefully regulate for precise grading. The dipstick for the transmission took me forever to find, since a cultivator hose for mine ran near it. It is under the seat on the left side. Change the oil and filters and start doubling the hours on your new machine!
