How to buy the right tractor for your farm - Farm and Dairy

Purchasing a tractor or piece of equipment for your farm is a big investment. Over the next few of weeks, we will help you decide whether purchasing a new or used tractor is right for you by covering basic considerations for buying a tractor, how to make a proper inspection before buying a tractor and final considerations before making a purchase.

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1What will it do?
Before making a decision on what type of tractor to buy, consider how it will be used. Will you be making hay, doing planting or tillage work, clearing or working with a small woods, or working with livestock?

2Specifications
Think about the terrain of your farm. No slope, gentle hills, really steep slopes? How muddy does it get in certain areas where equipment will be used frequently? What about snow? Should you invest in a 4-wheel drive or 2-wheel drive tractor?

Should you invest in a gas- or diesel-powered engines? Gas-powered usually starts better in the winter, but diesel engines have more torque and a longer fuel life.

Make sure the tractor has all the necessary hookups for whatever implements you will be pulling (I.e. trailers, balers, tillers)

3Safety
When purchasing a tractor, new or used, make sure it meets safety standards. Shields should be covering belts and PTO shafts. Make sure the tractor has proper front protection from loader arms and buckets.

If the tractor does not have a cab, does it have a Rollover Protection Structure, or ROPS, bar? Make sure the ROPS is engineered for that specific tractor and not just homemade. (A seat belt still needs to be worn in order for ROPS to be effective.)

4Comfort
Operator comfort is key if you have to spend long hours on the tractor. Inspect the tractor seat for comfort, check the noise level while operating the tractor, and inspect the convenience of the controls for various implements. (If controls are hard to reach, it could mean long days and stress on joints.)

Does the tractor offer shade from the sun if you’re spending long, hot days making hay? And does it offer adequate lighting for night work? Can you get on and off the tractor easily?

If you are not purchasing a tractor with all the latest technology, does it have the option to add monitors and autosteer if you decide to upgrade later?

5Where to buy?
You can find deals on equipment from a number of sources. Check the classifieds or local auctions. Purchase from a neighbor, from a retirement or consignment sale or purchase straight from a local dealership.

Source: Selecting a new or used tractor for a small farm, Jason Hartschuh, Farm Science Review, Small Farms Center.

Next week: How to inspect a tractor before purchase.

(Farm and Dairy is featuring a series of “101” columns throughout the year to help young and beginning farmers master farm living. From finances to management to machinery repair and animal care, farmers do it all.)

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If you’re in the market to buy a used tractor, you’re going to want to do more than kick the tires. It’s not always easy to tell if tractor maintenance has been neglected, but there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. 

Here’s my walkthrough and a handy used tractor inspection checklist to help you find a reliable, well-maintained tractor.

Are you interested in learning more about multi-purpose tractors? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

1. Check the safety features.

• First, check the ROPS. Almost all modern tractors have a roll bar, but some older tractors don’t have them. If you’re looking at a newer model tractor and the ROPS is missing, ask the seller if it was removed – and if he still has it.
• Seat belt –  If the tractor has a roll bar it needs a seat belt and you need to wear it… If no roll bar is present there should be no seat belt. 
• Safety switches – you’ll find safety switches in different areas of the tractor. Check the clutch pedal, brake pedal, transmission, and PTO. Safety switches don’t allow the engine to start unless the transmission and PTO are not in gear and the brakes are on.

2. Do a visual inspection.

Take a walk around the tractor, looking for dents, rust, and missing paint. If the tractor is in rough shape, it may have been in an accident or simply suffered from neglect. Which means it might not be mechanically sound, either. If it’s missing paint but the sheet metal is in good shape, repainting is not a problem. 

Then kick the tires. Hey, I didn’t say we weren’t going to do that. 

Check the tires for excessive or uneven wear. Look for depth of tread, damage, and signs of repair, like plugs or patches. Bad tires don’t have to be a deal-breaker, but replacing tractor tires can be pricey. You need to know if you’re going to run into another big expense immediately after shelling out for a used tractor. 

3. Check the water pump.

Make sure the engine is not running and then stick your hand right in there and try to wiggle the fan blades to see if it’s nice and stable. Check the belts as well to make sure everything is tight. 

4. Check the fluids.

With the engine off and cool, pop open the hood and check all the fluids.

• Take the cap off the radiator. Make sure it has coolant and there’s no oil floating in it. 
• Check the engine oil. Use the dipstick to check the level and make sure there’s no water beaded on the stick. The oil should be black unless it has been freshly changed.
• Check the transmission/ hydraulic oil. Hydraulic oil should be almost clear, so you might have to run your finger on the dipstick to feel the level. Have a rag handy to clean your hands when you check fluids.
• Power steering pump. Screw the cap off and check the fluid level. Most modern tractors don’t have a separate reservoir for the power steering. 

5. Eyeball the clutch and brake pedal. 

Wear and tear on the clutch and brake pedals can tell you a lot about how the tractor has been used. If the dimples and paint on the pedals are worn down it’s generally a sign that the operator likes to ride the brakes and or clutch which will shorten their lifespan.   

6. Check the exhaust. 

Time to crank ‘er up. Lock the brakes, make sure the transmission is out of gear, and start the tractor. Let the tractor warm-up for a few minutes, and take a look at the smoke. Is it white, blue, black, or clear? The color of the smoke can indicate engine problems.

If the tractor smoke is:

• Clear – Best case. If you just see a little puff and then no exhaust smoke, there is no indication of anything wrong.
• White – There may be something wrong with the head gasket or water in the fuel system.
• Blue  – The tractor is burning oil. This could indicate a costly issue. The rings could be worn, or it could have some other internal issue.
• Black – This is usually a fuel or air-related issue and is typically a cheap, easy fix. The air filter is probably clogged up and needs to be replaced.

If the tractor continues to belch smoke after the initial start, it could indicate a bigger problem.

7. Check the electronics. 

Make sure everything works. Check the flashers, dash lights, and headlights. Make sure everything that should light up, flash, or make noise, does what it should.

8. Turn the steering wheel and raise the lift.

If it has power steering, the wheel should turn smoothly and easily. If it shakes or jitters, the fluid level could be low or there could be a problem with the fluid. There could also be a problem with the pump or filter/ suction screen. 

Next, raise the lift lever. If it comes up nice and smooth, it’s in good condition. If it shakes, there may be an internal fluid problem or an issue with the lift.

9. Check the brakes.

Put your foot on the clutch, shift into low gear, and put your right foot on one of the brakes. Slowly let out the clutch. The brake should keep the tractor from moving. Repeat with the second brake. Both brakes should be capable of holding the tractor in place.

At the same time, you can check the clutch performance. If the engine doesn’t change and you can’t feel the tractor straining to move, the clutch is slipping. 

10. Look at the hour meter. 

On the dash, you’ll find an hour meter that tells you how many hours the tractor has been used. It may not be easy to read. The glass may be clouded or the markings faded. This is common on a used tractor, but it’s an important bit of information. If the hour meter is still working, you should see the timer ticking away while the motor is on. If you don’t see that, there’s no way to know how “used” the tractor really is, and you might be buying a pig in a poke.

Want more information on hillside tractors? Feel free to contact us.