Looking to buy a used tractor from the experts at Highlands Equipment Sales? There is quite a lot we check for when looking to source or sell a used tractor. If you know your way around a tractor then great! Otherwise when you are looking for your next piece of machinery, chat with Highlands Equipment Sales - and take someone with you who is across the workings of these productivity-boosting machines!
Time To Inspect Your Next Tractor
When inspecting a new or used tractor, the engine is the first place to go:
Has it been warmed up prior to inspecting? If so, this could mean that old injector are installed, and the tractor may not start so easily from a cold start.
Also, check for excess oil residue over the outside of the engine as this could mean leaks are present.
Start it up. Does it show black smoke while running? If so, this could result in poor fuel atomisation from the injectors, or, a partially blocked air filter.
Is there blue smoke from the exhaust? This can indicate the engine is burning oil. The causes of this can be worn piston rings, cylinder liners and valve guides. Do you see white or grey smoke? Coolant may be leaking into the combustion chamber and vaporising. or one cylinder (or more) isn’t running properly.
Oil & Air Filter Inspection
Check the oil and air filters. Take note of how black the oil is. If the oil is darker than you’d expect from engine oil, then it hasn’t been changed recently. Is it running above the oil line indicator? If it’s running below, this could mean there is diesel in the oil. If this is the case check the fuel lift pump or injector pump.
Air filter
See if the air filters have been changed often or at all. It’s not a good sign if they look like they have never been replaced. If the air filter looks torn or poorly sealed, the dirt entering the engine can quickly wear engine components out.
Hydraulic Oil
OIl for the hydraulic system comes from the gearbox. It’s ok for a bit of oil to show around the couplings. If there is a lot of oil leakage it could mean the gearbox could have been starved of oil for a long period of time.
More Important Items to Check
Three-point linkages.
Poor linkage reduces the functionality of the tractor. Check the lower linkage arm to see if it moves freely. Check the Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft for leakage from the seal and sloppy bearings by attempting to move it up and down. Also, check to see if the linkage arm adjuster works properly. They can rust up and are difficult to replace on older tractors.
Check the tyres
Give the tyres a good shake from left to right, if it has too much of a wobble the wheel bearings or kingpins may be worn. Turn the steering wheel - if there isn’t much or any ‘free play’, the steering box can be an expensive fix.
Lastly- take it for a test drive and use all the gears. Listen for any squeaking or excess smoke. Take the tractor to its full capacity to make sure it runs smoothly. Some problems only became evident when doing certain speeds! You will also want to check the clutch, as fixing can also be expensive. Put it in a higher gear to take off to see if it slips or not.
When it comes time to make the purchase, work with Highlands Equipment Sales to leave the lot with peace of mind. Discuss financing terms, ask if transport will be available (if needed), and be sure you’re comfortable with the maintenance and parts process. Highlands Equipment Sales take pride in service, so once you’ve made a purchase, you will likely enjoy years of operation.
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