Your Guide To Understanding The Hour Meter And What It Can Reflect About The Used Tractors You Might Buy
Whether you have a lot of acreage and your existing tractor has finally incurred more damage than it makes sense to fix, or you are a new owner of many acres, the purchase of a new tractor is a significant investment. Therefore, many homeowners have chosen to invest in used tractors. However, there are a number of things that could go wrong with a used tractor. It is possible that you could be in the same position you are now in the near future if you are unsure as to what you need to look for. As a result, it is best to check out of the following aspects of any used tractor before committing to its purchase:
Check The Hour Meter And Other Aspects Of The Unit
It is important to note that the hour meter on a tractor can be compared to the odometer on a motor vehicle. Specifically, they both reflect how much the unit has been used. Regardless of how well it has been maintained over the years, a tractor with very high hour readers will generally be at an increased risk of developing difficulties, just as a car with a few hundred thousand miles is often more likely to break down. The furnishings of the unit, including the door handles, seats, etc. can also say a lot about the use of the tractor.
That means that you need to know what high hour rates will be for the used tractor in question. If it is around 2,000 or so, that can be considered adequately used and assuming no other red flags appear, might be a good investment. If it's 35,000 or more, it has been used extensively. At the very least, you'll want to have it examined by an expert and if that is not possible, you might need to skip that tractor.
Know The Dangers Of An Inaccurate Hour Meter
However, it is also possible that the hour meter has malfunctioned, quit working, or been manipulated to reflect reduced use. That is frequently more common if you are buying it from an individual, as opposed to purchasing it from a reputable shop.
If the use of the tractor seems oddly out of accordance with its age and the owner doesn't have a logical explanation, you should consider researching that unit extensively before making an offer on it. In addition, if its new paint job seems to be covering up rust or other damage, especially when coupled with the concerns as to the units use, are red flags and the tractor is unlikely to be the right investment.
In conclusion, buying a used tractor can often help you to stay on budget, as its reduced price is frequently much lower than the corresponding price for a new unit. Therefore, it is a good idea to consider the following attributes of any used tractors for sale that you are tempted to buy.
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