used tractors and engine hours

[Fishincoach]

On a used tractor how many hours is too many when considering buying from an individual?

 

[bigbull338]

only you can decide is how meny hours is to meny hours on a tractor.

 

[WilliamBos]

On a used tractor how many hours is too many when considering buying from an individual?

Do you know the personally? Were they a stickler for maintence, or was it neglected? Knowing and having the service history will dictate whether the hours are too much, or just broke in.

 

[aczlan]

Condition is more important than hours.

Aaron Z

 

[creekbend]

I agree with the others. There are some tractor owners that take care of their equipment and some that "Ride them hard and put them up wet'.

 

[jenkinsph]

Lots of variables here but I agree with aczlan "Condition is more important than hours." I have bought used tractors before with over 5000 hours that were a good deal for the money and I have passed on lower hour tractors that looked like money pits. I bought a 4320 used with 6500 hours many years ago for chisel plowing had it for seven years with only a few minor expenditures. A good solid simple tractor can operate for decades with routine maintenance and care.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

Condition is more important than hours.

Aaron Z

It depends on a lot of factors.
first locally a lot of used for sale appear to be farmers selling they may farm some but are auction jockeys. they buy a tractor make it presentable (reasonably decent to looks like new) run it a little or sometimes none and sell it.
Second what and how was it used previously? Minor chores, or a right of way mower tractor.

third hour meters are not absolute and easily defeated in most machines. some of the cable and electrical models can simply be unplugged or replaced.


most of the time the engines outlast the clutch , hydraulics and steering several times over.

 

[Fishincoach]

Thanks guys. good info. I think I am going to buy a re-furbished Ford 5000. The shop is not far from my small farm and the guy has a reputation of standing behind what he sells. Asking price $5500. He is not finished with the re-furbish project. He works on tractors and re-furbishes older tractors when he has time. When he puts it back together enough to be cranked I plan on checking for excessive smoke after it has run awhile and listen to try to hear any knocking in the motor. Anything else a newbie could check to make a decision?
Just found on Craigslist a Farmtrac 60 $5500, only 440 hours, what is the verdict on Farmtac brand, I have heard bad news for them. Lots of them on the market, is that a clue?

 

[jenkinsph]

I'd rather go with the Ford 5000 if the mans reputation is good as you say. This is a good and capable tractor I used one that my grandfather had and liked it pretty well. Much rather have a well refurbished Ford 5000 than the Farmtrac anyday.

 

[Fishincoach]

I agree Steve, having the seller and mechanic less than 20 minutes from the farm is a big plus. I have found that out dealing with boats and motors, even the new ones have to have lots of attention. Again, are there any things a rookie can look at to tell if the engine is ok?

 

[newbury]

<snip>
third hour meters are not absolute and easily defeated in most machines. some of the cable and electrical models can simply be unplugged or replaced. <snip>

And fourth some hour meters are based on the time the engine is run at full speed.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/150221-b7610-hour-meter-tach-rpm.html

Not the hours the key is turned on.

 

[mikehaugen]

I have found (because I am not a diesel expert) that the internal mechanical condition of a diesel is much harder to tell than a gas engine. They can have a lot of hours and still sound good. A ticking from the valvetrain is harder to pick out. They all smoke if under load momentarily (all that I have seen anyway) but it is black smoke. I don't think any engine should ever be creating white smoke and definitely not blue smoke. I think even a minor rod knock would be harder to pick out. This is all assuming that the 5000 is diesel, which I am pretty sure it is.

Like rdbigfarmboy said, the engine isn't the most critical item. Since he is rebuilding it I am sure he drained and replaced all fluids so you can't use those as indicators but make sure there isn't a lot of slop in the steering and that the 3 point mechanisms are reasonable tight and everything is straight. Make sure the clutch feels good and that things that are supposed to move do so smoothly (top link adjustment, adjustable lift link adjustment, etc...). These often get frozen up. Also as said about hourmeters being able to be bypassed, you should at least check that it is working now- that would be the first indication.

 

[aczlan]

It depends on a lot of factors.
first locally a lot of used for sale appear to be farmers selling they may farm some but are auction jockeys. they buy a tractor make it presentable (reasonably decent to looks like new) run it a little or sometimes none and sell it.
Second what and how was it used previously? Minor chores, or a right of way mower tractor.
third hour meters are not absolute and easily defeated in most machines. some of the cable and electrical models can simply be unplugged or replaced.
most of the time the engines outlast the clutch , hydraulics and steering several times over.

As I said condition is more important than hours. Condition includes all of those things.

Aaron Z

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree Steve, having the seller and mechanic less than 20 minutes from the farm is a big plus. I have found that out dealing with boats and motors, even the new ones have to have lots of attention. Again, are there any things a rookie can look at to tell if the engine is ok?

I would assume the mechanic is going thru the filters and fluids so not much to see. I would research the mechanic as much as anything. At any rate checking out a tractor is best done by someone with experience and sadly that is hard to relay on the internet. I can usually walk around a tractor a couple of times and decide whether I need to persue it any farther than that. If I like what I see then I would want to start it up cold watch the smoke as it warms up, check the oil pressure and hydraulic controls, gears make sure they all work. If everything seems good then see if he can demo it on either your property or his for a few hours assuming you are ready and prepared to buy it at that point.

 

[crazyal]

I like to look at other things. Grease fittings are a tell tale sign. For example pins on the ends of cylinders on older hour machines tend to tell how well maintained they were. If they look like they've never seen grease in decades or if they have lots of slop would be something I would look for. If a person couldn't take the time to pump a little grease in a fitting then I doubt they would have taken the time to change the engine oil as often as they should have.

 

[Pitch1]

What do you mean by refurbishing? Internal engine work? If so why? When you look at it grab ahold of the top of the rear tire and pull it towards you and push away.Any movement at the axle could point to bearing or seal problems. You want to start it dead cold,a warm engine most always starts easily. Find a heavy 3 pt implement,lift it up and leave it,shut the machine down and watch for 10 to 15 minutes for sag.
Bottom line is you have to go with your gut.

 

[Vicen]

U can allway use middleman, it's safer. There many used tractors on the market, so it's good idea to be careful when buying machinery. I am not sure that all the sterss is worth spending several bucks less

 

[swick1]

Check the steering for slop by moving the steering wheel and looking at the tires then drive it in a straight line.

Check the pins and bushings for wear by driving through some potholes and seeing if the whole thing shudders. If it's light enough you can pick up the hitch parts and see how sloppy they feel. Go to a dealership and see how a new tractor feels first.

Lug the engine and see if it smokes really bad or acts weird. This could also be a sign of a bad clutch if you smell it or feel slipping.

Check the wheel bearings by shaking the wheels side-to-side and up and down

 

[Soundguy]

On a used tractor how many hours is too many when considering buying from an individual?

judge by condition.. not just hours.

first.. i consider anything under 1000hrs just broke in usuallyt, unless abused.

next.

a machine with 2000 hrs on it, but well maintained may be in better condition than one with 500hrs that was at a rental yard and used to clear land and bulldoze with...