Four ways to save money on a used tractor

Jun 15, 2017

Practical tips from a tractor mechanic and auctioneer

IN THE SHOP with Rachel

By Rachel Gingell
Farms.com

Are you getting the best deals on your used tractor purchases? After years of buying and selling used tractors professionally, I’ve figured out how to find great deals and save the most money on used tractors. Here are my top four tips:

1. Buy before your need is urgent. If you can afford to do so, start looking for a new used tractor before your current tractor fails. Patience is the key to finding great deals and it can take some time to get to know your local market. Every region will have times that are the best to buy, so take the time to learn the price fluctuations in your area.

2. Look for deals in unusual places. Check out poorly advertised auction sales, the classifieds sections of small, local newspapers and tractors for sale on the side of rural roads. Sellers who don’t post their tractors for sale on the Internet are at a disadvantage. If you can find these tractors, you’ve got a good chance at finding a great deal.

3. If you find a tractor you are interested in, don’t delay! I’ve scored lots of great deals simply by checking my favourite sites more frequently than other tractor buyers in my area. Be quick to call on ads that look promising. When a seller is motivated, the deals often go to the first person who can arrive with cash in hand. So, keep enough cash on hand to make a purchase even on a day when the bank isn’t open.

4. Ask about extras, like manuals, weights and attachments. Sellers will often throw items like these in for a low price or even at no extra charge. If you don’t personally want the extra items, you may be able to resell them for a good profit. If you are purchasing a collectible tractor or a tractor that has belonged to a single owner, extras like the original sales receipt or dealer literature can be really cool add-ons that add to the story and the resale value. These items might be yours for the taking – just ask!

Video: Air Command Section Control for Pro-Force Spreaders

This patented section control system uses air to divert material on to different areas of the spinner disks for precise 4-section control, for an economical design by eliminating the need for added conveyor belts or movable spreader components. The section control uses the Raven RCM ISOBUS controller and a customer’s field boundary and coverage map to automatically turn off any of the four sections at any time to avoid applying valuable fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed.

This results in fertilizer savings which means more money in your pocket for a maximum Return On Investment. The powerful blower fan sends air through a 4-section manifold while the conveyor automatically speeds up or slows down as sections are turned on or off for consistent and precise fertilizer application.

• The revolutionary patented Air Command section control utilizes a pneumatic system to accurately place fertilizer onto the spinner disks to give you individualized 4-section control of your spread pattern.

• Pinpoint accuracy of four individual sections allows you to operate the system with ease. This robust design with few moving parts offers no gimmicks, just real-world results.

• The new Air Command section control option is available on pull-type models 2250 and 1850 with the new PTO drive system, and on 1450, 1250 and 1050 pull-type models with standard single hydraulics.

• Continue to do it all with the Unverferth pull-type Pro-Force Spreader. Use the Air Command section control for spreading fertilizer and in-seeding applications, while converting to single-section lime or litter application in a matter of minute