There are a lot of myths surrounding second-hand tractor purchases in farming.

Here we’ll be examining and debunking some of them.

Buying pre-used tractors is always better than buying new

No, it isn’t.

It might typically be cheaper, at least in the very short-term but in the longer term it could prove to be a financially disastrous move if you buy a used tractor that’s a “bad ‘un”. You’ll find that out when you keep sending cheques to the local repair shop after purchase.

Buying from a reputable dealer in guaranteed pre-used agricultural tractors is a different thing of course.

All used tractors are clapped-out

No, they’re not.

This is exactly the reverse of the point above. Your requirements should be expertly assessed before a decision about new verses used is made. A used tractor for a quality dealer might be an excellent fit for your requirements.

All finance deals are a rip-off

However popular and even therapeutic it might be to give the financial services sector a good verbal kicking; in fact, there are some really excellent deals out there to help you finance your purchase.

Some of those on offer from the manufacturers are particularly attractive. It is though wise to be cautious about finance deals from lenders you’ve never heard of on really old and cheap tractors.

Second hand tractors aren’t flexible enough for modern use

If you’re determined to buy a tractor that arguably should be in a museum, then that sentiment might have some justification.

However, for any tractor made by a reputable brand manufacturer and in the not too distant past, fitting buckets, cutters, lifts and various other implements shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, you should make the effort to find a maker who is known for their product’s versatility.

You can’t get insurance on old tractors

Yes, you can.

Many things might affect your premium though and age might be a relatively minor factor or not one at all – it depends a lot on your policy and your provider of cover.

You can’t get parts for second-hand tractors

This is close to one of the above myths relating to flexibility.

You most certainly can get parts for used Farm tractors providing they’re not absolutely ancient.

More important than age is your selection of manufacturer. Select a tractor made by someone that nobody’s ever heard of and you might struggle to find parts even if it’s nearly new! A more reputable manufacturer though should never be an issue in that respect.

You never know what someone else has done to the tractor in the past

Well, strictly speaking, this one might be true sometimes!

It doesn’t have to be that way though. Buy your tractor from a recognised local quality provider of agricultural equipment and you might be very pleasantly surprised to find that they have a lot of knowledge of what it’s been doing (and where) during much of its recent life.

To some extent that’s academic though. No such reputable local dealer is going to try and sell you a used tractor unless they’re 100% sure it comes up to their standards.

Source by Eby M