Used F3680, what should I look at

BeezFun · Mar 5, 2014

Going to take a look at used F3680 with mower and snow thrower, not really familiar with these front mount commercial mower configurations. Any suggestions on what I should check? It seems like it's a "regular" tractor turned backwards, and I know a fair bit about my tractor. I know to look at things like spindle bearings/play, cracks in deck, etc. Can I learn anything by lifting the thing on a floor jack and rotating the wheels? A really expensive repair would be transmission or axle, but I don't know how to check them without taking them apart. I've also never bought a used diesel engine before, not sure what to look for there since I don't plan to do a compression test. tnx

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 6, 2014

As with any tractor: hours, appearance (indicates past use and care), past use, previous maintenance, previous owner and of course price.
Give more info on those.
I've bought 3 new Fs over the past 6 or so years, traded one (F2680e) to a new F3080, sold one (F3080)after 3 years of use and bought the original F2680e back a year later.
The one I sold had a leak which I had repaired and then after using for a few weeks the new owner had a leak at the same location.

BeezFun · Mar 6, 2014

Thanks, it's 2300 hours, which is nothing for a diesel. My experience is everything wears out before the engine, especially electric problems from corrosion/age etc which can drive me nuts trying to diagnose. The guy is mechanical and describes doing all the right things, who knows, will find out this weekend.

Hooked_on_HP · Mar 7, 2014

Run it long enough to get the hydraulics warm and make sure they are ok. Engauge the pto to make sure it works properly.
Bill

Utopia Texas · Mar 7, 2014

With any used piece of machinery you have to do your homework, study up on the particulars of that model, and ask a lot of questions. One of the problems with just going by the hour meter is not knowing what those work hours entailed. Pulling a plow in first gear at max throttle is different than the same hours in third gear mowing a pasture. Just go into the deal with your eyes wide open knowing there may be something internal worn more than the outside might show. Hopefully your purchase will be pleasant.

BeezFun · Mar 7, 2014

Hooked_on_HP said:
Run it long enough to get the hydraulics warm and make sure they are ok. Engauge the pto to make sure it works properly.
Bill

Thanks, the guy offered to make a pile of snow with his skid steer so I can run the snowthrower through it and make sure everything works. That should be a pretty good test of hydraulics.

JOHNTHOMAS · Mar 8, 2014

Take a big cardboard box, broken down, with you. Drive the dry machine on top of the flat broken down cardboard box(s). Check all fluid levels and then start machine and let it run 5 to 10 minutes while sitting on the boxes. Leave machine running, on the boxes, and operate all levers, steering wheels and anything that is running off hydraulics. Drive back and forth, while staying on dry boxes as much as possible. Let the machine run another 30 minutes, while still on dry boxes, and then repeat all of above. Shut off machine and let it sit, while off but still sitting on dry boxes. Check all fluid levels again. Restart machine and move it off of the dry (hopefully) boxes and inspect the boxes for any fluids. Especially at the inside location of the main drive wheels.

BeezFun · Mar 9, 2014

I ended up buying a New Holland CM274. Didn't need to use the cardboard box, the guy's floor was cleaner than my kitchen. Didn't actually have any drips, but I found two small leaks crawling underneath and looking around. Nothing I can't fix (or ignore). Thanks for all the advice, I'll be moving over to the New Holland forum.