Before I buy this tractor . . .

Jason from MI · Nov 7, 2008

I'm going to look at a tractor this weekend (IH 574 diesel). One thing that I'm debating is whether to pay the local dealership to send a mechanic out to check this thing over before I buy it. Is it worth doing that? Seems to me like a mechanic could check the hydraulic pump, listen to the engine with a more careful ear than mine, etc. I don't want to flush money down the toilet, but I also don't want to buy a tractor and then realize it has a major problem that a mechanic could have found before I bought it. Thoughts?

Thanks.

Jason

Brownie 450 · Nov 7, 2008

A mechanic could put a gage on the hydraulics & see what the pump was putting out anyway. You could see by checking the dipstick [engine & rear end] what the condition of the fluids was. See what things sound like when you start it up cold & then after it warms up. Cycle the loader if it has one or cycle the 3- point. Drive it around & put a load on it by applying the brakes.

Mich John · Nov 7, 2008

Jason,
If you're a complete newbie to tractors and have NO innate mechanical or diagnostic capabilities, never driven a tractor of any sort, then it's a good idea I think to have a reputable mechanic (who works at or is familiar with tractors, e.g. someone from Alderman's in Lennon Mi.) go with you to check it out. You can learn a lot, however, from those who have such experience on this forum with this series of tractors (e.g. JB2, Bernard leM...... from Quebec) & they are very willing to offer help on this subject.
Where in Michigan are you? I'm West of Pontiac and East of Howell.

Jason from MI · Nov 7, 2008

Mich John,
I live in the Lansing area and the tractor is down near Hillsdale. I'm not a complete newbie to tractors - I just got rid of an old JD 2010 that I had for 7-8 years and I've been driving my father-in-law's JD H, A, and 730 longer than that. I am new to IH and new to diesels. Again, my concern is whether the tractor can tell you anything about its overall health and whether I understand what it's saying. For example, if the clutch is sloppy, if there is a puff of smoke when it starts and/or when it runs, what color is the smoke, etc. Those things probably all mean something, but I don't know what.

As always, I appreciate any input. Thanks.

Jason

Steven f/AZ · Nov 7, 2008

How much is the tractor? How much is the mechanic going to charge for looking it over?

For peace of mind, I would say YES, it is worth having a mechanic look it over. Of course there still is no guarantee that something won't break in the first week - it's the risk of buying a used tractor as-is.

For me it would depend on what the mechanic is going to check and how much it would cost. On a diesel engine, a compression check and known accurate oil pressure gauge can tell you the condition of the engine very accurately.

ZH 1066 · Nov 7, 2008

Taking a mechanic along would be an extremely wise thing to do. I didn't, ended up paying $4200 for a complete overhaul.

mkirsch · Nov 7, 2008

I'm going to go against the grain here and say NO, it's not worth taking a mechanic... UNLESS this is a trusted personal friend.

A machinery dealer is not going to give some schlub off the street one of their best mechanics for God knows how long to go and look over a tractor, even if you pay. What they will do is give you the greenest kid they have in the shop, and charge you full price, if they will do it at all.

Not knocking the kid per se, but he won't have the experience necessary to determine the health of a tractor just by looking and listening. Heck, even most experienced mechanics can't do that.

Truth be told, you're taking a chance no matter what you do. Everything could check out fine but the tractor breaks down just driving it home. It could fall apart the first time you hook it to something. Frankly, I never pay more for a tractor than I'd be willing to wad up, douse in gasoline, and set on fire after I parted it out.

bc · Nov 7, 2008

Maybe you can get a mechanic to do it on his own time for much less money. Go out and ask one.

I'm not sure you can truly test one till you go out, hook up a disk or plow, put it in the ground, pull and all gears trying the TA etc.

A flow test may tell you that there is some wear and tear on the hyd pump but not how it will work. With an implement on, you can test the hydraulics, transmission, and figure out if the engine can pull a load. Hook up a mower to check the pto. Drive and check the brakes. Drive it down the road in road gear.

No honest farmer should stop you from doing these tests.

Before I buy this tractor . . .

Jason from MI

Member

Brownie 450

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Mich John

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Jason from MI

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Steven f/AZ

Well-known Member

ZH 1066

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mkirsch

Well-known Member

bc

Well-known Member

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