Buying Advice How to buy used???

[Tahoe24]

Good evening.. Looking at buying a used tractor and don't have much experience with hydraulics and everything that comes with a bigger tractor with FEL and such.. If anyone could help me out as to what to look for and ask. I know that it can never be 100% fool proof! but I don't want to get into something that has MAJOR ISSUES either. Thanks in advance..

 

[newbury]

Good evening.. Looking at buying a used tractor and don't have much experience with hydraulics and everything that comes with a bigger tractor with FEL and such.. If anyone could help me out as to what to look for and ask. I know that it can never be 100% fool proof! but I don't want to get into something that has MAJOR ISSUES either. Thanks in advance..

You never know when a MAJOR issue will pop up.

First - tell us what you want to do with the tractor.

When buying used a lot depends on your purpose. If you are going to be plowing a field most of the time it's different than plowing snow in short driveways. Running a PHD versus digging a ditch.

Hydraulics are usually a non-issue, except when you have a leaking hose on your 1995 M4700 which you bought for a GREAT price, which I have to replace the hose tomorrow.

So give us some more info to guide us and we'll try and help.

 

[Tahoe24]

I am looking to do home work!! I need to clear my back lot. Many stumps, but I am prob gonna rent a backhoe for that.. After that it will be to move dirt, rocks and mulch. Snow removal in the winter. Right now I have my eye on a B7610 with a backhoe, loader and snow blower.. Looks real nice. Also looking at a 3200 and JD 2320. All have 300hrs or less and seem to be in great shape (overall) since they are used. I am just used to having garden tractors, but this seems like uncharted territory for me and don't want to spend 12-17k and get rung afterwards...just wondering if there were any small things I should ask about, or look for as far as leaks, or whatever.. Or is it as simple as be smart, if something seems fishy, then it prob is.. Met one guy and he went over EVERYTHING!!! Started it, ran it, moved FEL, talked about it, and just seemed very genuine.. But, is there something I'm missing.. Thanks again for your help.. I really do appreciate it..

 

[buickanddeere]

What you are saying is you want to save money?
Hire a contractor with HD equipment to remove stumps.
There are many horrifying videos on youtube with operators on small equipment making Bonzai runs to remove large stumps or rocks.

 

[Tahoe24]

I want to be smart with my money.. The contractor who I talked to will do the stumps and back for same price to rent a loader backhoe. But he has a 30k lb machine and I need other little things dug out also.. So I'm still debating.. But I am def buying a loader tractor, and would like something nice.. Something I can have for a very long time..

 

[Cherokee140]

Oh doG, I think this is going to be a long one.....

First educate yourself....all the way around....learn about the different models you are looking at, learn what they sell for, Tractor house is a good starting point, Then after you decide on a couple of machines learn as much as you can about them. Pick something popular, and start reading on them....learn what people say about them. The machines you have listed are newer machines, and likely still in good shape. If you want a 2320 that is very different from an 8n, and learning about them will be different. One is still looked upon as just a tractor, the other has been elevated to a collector status....that means there is a great deal written about them. All I am saying here is read up on what you are looking at....it could be real easy 8n, or a little more hard to find tons of info on 2320.

Then after you get a good idea and have looked at a few machines that are the same.....a few different 2320's you will get an idea on what they go for, if you start looking online don't freak if you see something way cheaper or way more expensive 1000 miles away.....I found out that like a house where it is can greatly effect its cost. Then once you have a few under your belt, if one seems too good chances are it is. Like with anything that little ole tractor with 4 hours fresh paint and new tires is like that little old lady with that super stock dodge the beach boys told us about. Good deals are out there, I passed on a 2yr old John Deere that had 1.4 hours on it....the old man passed away and it took that long for the estate to liquidate the tractor.....it does happen, but it was not a smoking deal.

Then if you are still leery about what you are buying, find that "guy"....if you have enough land to warrant a tractor you likely still have near by "that old guy".....you know the one that actually knows how to fix stuff, how stuff works, you will know him....he will be out every weekend on an old machine, but it will have new hoses on it and grease oozing out of fittings. See if that guy is game to help you go look for a tractor. See if he and his wife want to come down for dinner before, or perhaps he is just a six pack kind of guy. These guys are usually gruff, and want to just be left alone, but they usually are very keen on passing on what they know and are super nice guys...you just have to get past those defences.

Anyway that is my two bits....good luck to ya.

 

[Cherokee140]

Oh doG, I think this is going to be a long one.....

First educate yourself....all the way around....learn about the different models you are looking at, learn what they sell for, Tractor house is a good starting point, Then after you decide on a couple of machines learn as much as you can about them. Pick something popular, and start reading on them....learn what people say about them. The machines you have listed are newer machines, and likely still in good shape. If you want a 2320 that is very different from an 8n, and learning about them will be different. One is still looked upon as just a tractor, the other has been elevated to a collector status....that means there is a great deal written about them. All I am saying here is read up on what you are looking at....it could be real easy 8n, or a little more hard to find tons of info on 2320.

Then after you get a good idea and have looked at a few machines that are the same.....a few different 2320's you will get an idea on what they go for, if you start looking online don't freak if you see something way cheaper or way more expensive 1000 miles away.....I found out that like a house where it is can greatly effect its cost. Then once you have a few under your belt, if one seems too good chances are it is. Like with anything that little ole tractor with 4 hours fresh paint and new tires is like that little old lady with that super stock dodge the beach boys told us about. Good deals are out there, I passed on a 2yr old John Deere that had 1.4 hours on it....the old man passed away and it took that long for the estate to liquidate the tractor.....it does happen, but it was not a smoking deal.

Then if you are still leery about what you are buying, find that "guy"....if you have enough land to warrant a tractor you likely still have near by "that old guy".....you know the one that actually knows how to fix stuff, how stuff works, you will know him....he will be out every weekend on an old machine, but it will have new hoses on it and grease oozing out of fittings. See if that guy is game to help you go look for a tractor. See if he and his wife want to come down for dinner before, or perhaps he is just a six pack kind of guy. These guys are usually gruff, and want to just be left alone, but they usually are very keen on passing on what they know and are super nice guys...you just have to get past those defences.

Anyway that is my two bits....good luck to ya.

 

[GManBart]

If you have $17k to spend, you could easily buy a new machine in the 30hp range that would do the task you mentioned. At that price you probably can't quite add a backhoe, but close. Something like a G series LS or CK series Kioti should be doable.