Savvy farmers know that used tractors are a fantastic way to get perfectly good farm equipment while saving money. When buying automobiles, many people feel a sort of social pressure to buy a brand new and shiny model, but this is not a sensible approach even for a town car. For farm work, it is a complete waste of money. A good tractor, such as a John Deere 5E or 6D, will be extremely durable and should last many years. This means that a used model will likely be capable of many more years of good service. In this article, we will consider just some of the things you should look out for when looking at used tractors for sale.

Make and Model

It is obviously important to choose a model that suits your particular needs. John Deere, for example, produces a wide range of models suited for different purposes. Choose a model with the right drive and power for your needs. This will vary depending on your farm’s terrain, its relative flatness or steepness and your work method in general. Choosing between two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive is one common example of where what is perfect for one farmer may be completely unacceptable for another.

Spare Parts Availability

When buying used tractors, it is very important to check on the parts availability. You do not want to find yourself with a tractor for which no used parts can be sourced. Most John Deere models can be repaired very easily given the wide availability of spares, but it is still worth checking. Farm life can be tough on any machinery, so easy serviceability is one of the most important aspects of any purchase.

Age and Hours

It is worth trying to get a good picture of how the tractor has been used. The age of any used tractors for sale may be misleading, as some will have been used harder than others over the same time. A more reliable way of telling might be to measure the hours used. This should give you a reasonable understanding of the history of the tractor. If possible, a look at the farm on which it has been used may also tell a great deal.

Conclusion

Used tractors are an excellent option for any farmer, especially one who has a small farm in Texas, Oklahoma or North Carolina and must save costs carefully in order to be profitable. You can save a load of money through buying used so long as you are careful to buy only those tractors that have been used carefully and can be easily repaired. Whether you choose John Deere or another brand, used tractors for sale can a source of real savings, so start reading the classifieds and looking online to find your next tractor!