Buying in a tractor is a critical decision for farm owners, as it largely determines the efficiency of various tasks and the quality of the yield. If a brand new tractor is beyond your budget, you can simply participate in our industrial equipment auctions featuring a number of salvage and used tractors. However, before putting your money down, you need to make sure the tractor you buy will prove to be a worthwhile investment. To help, in this post, we give you a checklist of what all to look for, when buying a used or salvage tractor for sale.
1. Structural Damage
Steer away from tractors that have been spot painted, as in most cases, this is done to conceal rust. Make sure the wiring is intact and there are no frayed wires. The linkage arm adjuster must be free of rust. Inspect the blade push up arms and watch out for free space between the trunnion and cap, as it signifies excessive wear. To ensure the undercarriage has worn evenly, check both the sides. Check the top and bottom rollers, idlers, track frames, sway bars and stabilizers for excessive wear.
2. Oil Leakage
Check the hydraulic cylinders and be weary of any signs of oil leakage such as dents and scratches. Open and inspect the engine panels to make sure there are no leakage points. Inspect the remote hydraulics and make sure they are not leaking oils. Look for streaks of oil across the tires and hub.
3. Steering Assembly
Fixing a glitch in the steering box can both be costly and an effort intensive task. To test the steering assembly, hop into the driver’s seat. Evaluate the amount of free travel by rotating the steering wheel. Make sure the differential locks are in place by navigating a turn. For proper control, the steering and the linkage to the steering column must be tight and not loose or floppy.
4. Tires and Rims
Good tire condition is central to maintaining a tractor’s performance. Make sure the tires are not cracked or worn extensively. Look for tractors with lesser amount of wear around the pedals, carpets and mats as they signify less hours on the vehicle. Take note of uneven wear and make sure the tread depth is less than half the lug depth. The rims must not have excessive scratches.
5. Gearbox and Clutch
When test driving the tractor, use low and high gear ratios and check for grumbling noises from the gearbox. The shifter should operate smoothly and must not jump out of gear or grind. To check the clutch slip, attempt to take off in a high gear. If the transmission does not goes up and down smoothly, there are good chances that the clutch plate has worn. An improperly moving shifter through the gears can also mean a dysfunctional clutch plate.
Wrap Up
When buying a used tractor, make sure the seals and rubbers around the cab and rear differentials are not replaced, as in many cases, this is done to conceal fire damage. At AutoBidMaster, we understand the importance of inspection and welcome our registered members to inspect the vehicles and equipment in our inventory. If you have any questions about our industrial equipment auctions, fill out our contact form or simply call +1 (503) 298-4300
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