This article is a guide for farmers who are looking to buy tractors. It will explore the most important things you need to consider before buying one.
The first thing you should do when considering whether or not to purchase a tractor, is take some time and think about what your needs really are. For instance, if all you’re living on a small farm you might not need a tractor with an attached loader. Take your time and do some research to make sure you’re getting the right tractor for your needs.
If all of this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry – there are plenty or resources available that can help walk you through each step of buying a tractor! A great place to start would be talking with friends who have already bought a tractor and see what they would recommend.
The next step, is to consider your budget and the size of tractor you want, as well as how many hours it will need to work each day. The more time you spend thinking about these two important details, the better chance that you’ll be able to find a tractor with all of the features that are just right for what you’re looking for.
If buying from an individual: If there’s no guarantee available on any new or used machinery…
Consider having a mechanic check out any equipment before purchase (tip) – Inspecting tractors prior to purchase can save money in the long run by catching issues early on and getting them fixed at minimal cost instead of expensive repairs later when they become major expense for you and it might even be life-threatening for you and your family.
If buying new: A tractor should last at least 20 years (tip) – Buying a used tractor might save money in the short term, but it can cost more over time if repairs are needed frequently or sometimes even when no major repair is needed.
##There are many factors to consider when buying a tractor – not the least of which is the size of your operation and what kind of farm work you’ll be doing. These can include yard and/or field mowing, garden tilling, material moving, haying, snow removal, grading, and more.
The tractor’s power and capability should match the operation you will be performing with it most often. For example, if all your work requires less than 2000 pounds of traction or pulling force, a smaller (less powerful) tractor would suffice for that as long as it has enough horsepower to handle typical jobs such as powering attachments and turning in tight spaces – but if you need something heavier-duty like plowing snow off a gravel driveway, then an extra heavy-duty transmission may be necessary to handle the torque required.
##What types of terrain do you anticipate working on? Will there be areas where steep inclines are present? If so, consider how much ground clearance is available before purchasing a tractor! You don’t want to buy a tractor you will not be able to use in certain areas.
You might want to consider how much ground clearance is available before purchasing a tractor! You don’t want to buy one that you won’t be able to use in certain areas. For example, if all your work requires less than 2000 pounds of traction or pulling force, a smaller (less powerful) tractor would suffice for that as long as it has enough horsepower to handle typical jobs such as powering attachments and turning in tight spaces – but if you need something heavier-duty like plowing snow off a gravel driveway, then an extra heavy-duty transmission may be necessary to handle the torque required.
##What you’re willing to pay as a monthly payment for a tractor
It is important to keep in mind that the monthly payment for a tractor will be based on your credit score and your ability to pay. So if you have excellent credit, chances are you can afford to take out loans or purchase with cash! But if this isn’t possible, then it might be necessary to consider taking payments over time (monthly) which could potentially involve higher interest rates and more risk. This also depends on how much of an initial down-payment you want to make – but many people prefer smaller down-payments so they don’t feel as stressed about being able to buy something without having enough money saved up.
If at all possible, try not spending too much upfront; remember there’s no way to forsee future problems that you might need cash for.
##What is the smallest area through which you’ll need to navigate your tractor? You might not want to rebuild fences or move buildings to get a larger machine where it needs to go.
If you’re going to be driving your tractor through a lot of mud or snow, then look for the model with appropriate wheels and tires. If it doesn’t have them, make sure they are included in the purchase price.
##What is the size of your farm?
You might want to consider how much room there will be on either side of the rows that you drive down in order to turn around without hitting any trees or other objects (especially if you’re buying a small tractor).
##How many people do you employ?
This can help determine whether or not you need different types of tractors – like one for tilling who’s more comfortable using equipment than operating heavy machinery.
##Do you need a tractor with an enclosed cab for winter driving?
If this is important, be sure to look for a tractor with an enclosed cab that will protect you from the wind and rain.
##What size tractor do you want: compact, mid-sized, or large?
You don’t want to buy more than you actually need .
Different size tractors will be better or worse at certain jobs. For example, a large tractor (like the Ford N series) can do more than just till and plow: it can also mow hay with its optional attachments. But if you’re not ready to purchase those other accessories yet, then you might want to buy something smaller like an F class for tilling and planting in your fields while saving up money for that bigger tractor later on.
Compact tractors are often preferred by small farmers who need a really maneuverable machine; they may only have five acres of land but still want high-quality performance from their equipment. A mid-sized tractor is usually best suited for farms between 20 and 100 acres so take this into account when analysing your needs.
If you’re not sure what size of tractor to buy, then it might be a good idea to talk with an expert and get some advice on which one will best suit your needs and budget.
##The next thing that should always be taken into account is the type of terrain or work expected from the machine: if you live in a flat region where there are no hills, then you’ll need something different than someone who lives near mountains! A more mountainous area may require something like a Caterpillar D-Series for heavy duty work while those living in flatter regions can probably do well with just an F series Ford Tractor.
##What type of transmission do you prefer: hydrostatic or diesel power take-off (PTO)?
This can be important becuase it can be difficult to find parts for hydrostatic transmissions.
If you’re looking at a used tractor, it’s worth checking what type of transmission the vehicle has and whether or not there are any available parts!
In addition, if you want to buy an older model (especially one that is more than 15 years old) then make sure you get an inspection by a professional mechanic before making your purchase. This will ensure that everything works well and give peace of mind when buying! You don’t want something bad happening because the previous owner failed to mention some major repairs needed on their “used” machine… (or worse yet – they were aware but didn’t bother fixing them!)
##Do you need a front loader attachment to handle heavy work in the field and around the farmstead?
You need to consider in advance if it is going to be easier or more difficult for you to handle large amounts of dirt, gravel, hay bales and manure without a front loader attachment.
Front loaders are not commonly used on most farm tractors because they are designed mainly for road travel where weight distribution needs may differ significantly from the demands placed upon them on farms and ranches.
##Which brands are available in your area and which dealerships offer service after purchase?
Having an authorised dealer in the area can prove to be a benefit. Authorised dealers offer you the choice of buying parts and have service personnel with expertise in maintaining your tractor for years to come.
If you’re not sure what type of tractor is best suited for your needs, then it’s important that you ask plenty of questions before making any purchases. The dealer should be able to provide plenty of information about used cases and reliability and parts availability.
##Will this be your first tractor purchase or are there other tractors that will continue to serve on the farmstead as well as new ones coming online soon for replacement purposes only when needed down the road? If so, what is their age and condition now, how many hours of use they have had over time, what repairs have been done recently/in recent years by whom at what cost per hour/per repair item completed/recently replaced parts installed during any post-purchase maintenance service contract period(s) already paid for by buyer up front before delivery date of new machine–or not yet paid
##How important are heating and air conditioning? Cabs add expense, but also allow you to work harder and longer in any season, in more comfort .
Whether you’re using a tractor for 60 hours every year or 600, heating and air conditioning are worth considering. Cabs have drawbacks too: they add expense, reduce visibility, and make it impossible to do any work outside the cab. Your choice comes down to how much time you spend in your tractor each year. If you’ll be using it high heats or low temperatures it is worth considering heated and air-conditioned cabs.
If you’ll be using it in mild weather, or for only a few hours each year, heating or cooling can wait until after purchase–though if your tractor doesn’t have heat when you need it someday, the investment to add them later may not make sense.