Tips for Buying a used Tractor

Buying a used tractor is a great way to save money on expensive equipment, but it can also be a dangerous endeavor filled with the pitfalls of shady sellers and questionable conditions. Whether you’re buying your first tractor or adding another unit to your fleet, there’s a lot to consider when looking at used models, like vehicle condition, trust in the dealer, and of course a promising price point.

At Cliff Jones Mahindra, we know the process of buying a new vehicle can be difficult, and it’s made all the more difficult when dealing with machinery that will need to perform day in and day out. In that spirit we’ve put together a short list with some tips to assist your used tractor buying experience. Read on for more information or head into Cliff Jones Mahindra for a look at our current stock of new and used tractors. We’re located in Sealy, Texas, near Victoria, Columbus, and serving the greater Houston area.

Dealer Integrity

Buying a tractor shouldn’t be about browsing the internet for questionable individual sellers, let alone a used tractor. Mysterious internet listings might be intriguing, but having a dealer you can trust to do fair business is the best thing you can do to ensure your tractor will be up to snuff. Start by finding out who sells the equipment you want and from there check their online reviews and credentials. Hopefully they’re a certified provider of the manufacturer you’re after, and at the very least they should have all the information you ask for, including proof of ownership, maintenance and service records, and clear history of title. Shy away from dealers who make excuses or tell you how those items aren’t important. Stick with a dealer who is upfront about their stock for sale!

Vehicle Condition

Nothing beats seeing a tractor for an in-person inspection. If you don’t have experience operating a tractor or this is your first tractor purchase, consider bringing along someone who does have that expertise and let them serve as an advisor. If you do end up looking at online inventory, give more weight to listings with tons of pictures and informative details. In either case don’t hesitate to ask questions! If a dealer doesn’t have an answer for an important question, then don’t buy their tractor. It’s not impolite to ask for records or other information you might want to see, so don’t hold back.

There are a few things to look out for in tractors specifically. Cab and tire wear should match up with operation hours. Low hours show little wear on things like foot pedals, carpet, and mats, and the age and condition of tires should reflect this as well. The same goes for tire tread. Open up the tractor for a peek inside; look for leaks, damage to or around the battery, and the general condition of the engine, including engine oil and coolant. Also check the 4WD swivel pin for wear. You’ll also want to give the tractor a test drive. Once you have it turned on, check the steering and feel for any operating inconsistencies.

Background Check

Once you’ve verified a used tractor works and is in acceptable condition, you’ll want to do a background check. This will ensure the equipment won’t fall apart on the job or come from a questionable line of trades. When buying from a dealer, ask if the equipment is owned by them or if it’s under a lien. You can also check ownership against the construction equipment serial number or VIN. Run those through a private service to find out the equipment’s history and whether it’s been reported stolen. Buying equipment that doesn’t have a clear title or has a lien against it may forfeit ownership to another institution, so it is extremely important to verify ownership!

Buying a used tractor doesn’t have to be much different than buying another used vehicle. Just make sure to take your time doing research, comparing options, and getting all the information you need from a dealer or individual seller as you need to comfortably make a purchase. If you’re after more tips for buying a used tractor, or you’re ready to check out our great selection of new and used equipment, head to Cliff Jones Mahindra in Sealy, Texas, near Victoria, Columbus, and serving the greater Houston area. Come in today and experience the best in customer service!