Used Farm Equipment Buying Checklist
The short answer: When buying used farm equipment, check the hours and maintenance records, do a cold start and run it under load, look for leaks, cracks, and welds, and confirm the seller owns it. Get the serial number before you pay, and arrange hauling ahead of time.
Before you drive out
- Ask for the make, model, year, hours, and serial number.
- Ask why it’s being sold and what repairs have been done recently.
- Ask for clear photos of the engine, tires, hour meter, and serial plate.
- Search for typical prices on similar machines so you know what’s fair.
The walkaround
- Look for fluid leaks, cracked welds, and fresh paint in odd places.
- Check tires or tracks, hoses, belts, and wiring.
- Pull the dipstick and check the oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid for milky or burnt fluid.
- Check pins and bushings for slop on loaders and implements.
- Compare wear to the hours shown. Very worn pedals and seats on a low-hour machine deserve a question.
The test run
- Ask that it not be warmed up, so you can see a cold start.
- Watch for heavy smoke and listen for knocks.
- Run every function: hydraulics, PTO, three-point hitch, and all gears.
- Run it under a real load if you can, not just idling in the yard.
- For balers and other harvest equipment, ask to see it run or ask for recent video of it working.
Closing the deal
- Confirm ownership. Ask for a bill of sale that includes the serial number, and ask whether any money is owed on it.
- Check the serial number against stolen-equipment resources if the price seems too good.
- Avoid paying in full before you’ve seen it. Be careful with wire transfers or gift cards.
- Plan hauling before you pay: weight, trailer, permits, and who is liable while it’s loaded.
Common questions
How many hours is too many on a used tractor?
There’s no single number. A well-maintained diesel tractor with high hours can be a better buy than a neglected one with low hours. Maintenance records, how it starts and runs, and the condition of the engine and hydraulics matter more than the hour meter alone.
How do I avoid buying stolen farm equipment?
Get the serial number before you pay, ask for proof of ownership, and get a bill of sale with the seller’s name and the serial number. Be wary of prices far below market and sellers who won’t meet where the equipment is kept.
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