Amount and type of use and maintenance.
A lot of small contractors in my area sell their iron at about ten years with 2,000-hrs. Across the board tractor users here consider this 'low time'. Have lately seen some with lower time due to FedGovt tax incentives for early write-offs on new eqpt.
A one- or two-man operation that takes care of their gear can be a real bargain find if you're patient and look around.
All of us have seen 500-hr machines with slick tires and loose nuts because it was ridden like a wild bronc by a non-owner hired hand.
My findings over time is to completely disregard the hour meter as unreliable. It can be used as an indicator, but combine the meter reading with close observation. Look--really look--at the machine and you can find a jewel.
Just like a vehicle: look for signs of wear compared to what the seller says. Maintenance logs, repair and parts tickets, dates written on filters. Try greasing one before buying--hit every zerk and see how many are plugged. Look around for bottles of off-brand fluids or 'leak stop' or starting fluids. Battey teminals chewed up?
Recent paint job to me causes a question: what's being hid? There are a lot of machines sold as 'rebuilt' when actually they just got a quick paint job in the barn. Personally, I'd rather see a prospective purchase in its native condition not even washed. Look for all those little tattle-tale fluid trails dripping.
A lot of small contractors in my area sell their iron at about ten years with 2,000-hrs. Across the board tractor users here consider this 'low time'. Have lately seen some with lower time due to FedGovt tax incentives for early write-offs on new eqpt.
A one- or two-man operation that takes care of their gear can be a real bargain find if you're patient and look around.
All of us have seen 500-hr machines with slick tires and loose nuts because it was ridden like a wild bronc by a non-owner hired hand.
My findings over time is to completely disregard the hour meter as unreliable. It can be used as an indicator, but combine the meter reading with close observation. Look--really look--at the machine and you can find a jewel.
Just like a vehicle: look for signs of wear compared to what the seller says. Maintenance logs, repair and parts tickets, dates written on filters. Try greasing one before buying--hit every zerk and see how many are plugged. Look around for bottles of off-brand fluids or 'leak stop' or starting fluids. Battey teminals chewed up?
Recent paint job to me causes a question: what's being hid? There are a lot of machines sold as 'rebuilt' when actually they just got a quick paint job in the barn. Personally, I'd rather see a prospective purchase in its native condition not even washed. Look for all those little tattle-tale fluid trails dripping.
