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age vs. hours

G

Grassfed

New User
When looking at used tractors, how much do folks weigh hours vs. age?

For example, you have two diesel tractors in apparently good condition. In this case a 35 year old Oliver 1655 with 1900 hours versus a 15-20 year old AGCO-Allis of comparable horsepower with 6000+ hours.

Let's say the price is similar - which one would you go with and why?

I know the clutch, PTO and of course the engine wear as hours are put on, but do some parts also deteriorate simply because of time?

Thanks.
 
I don't know about those models,but I really don't place much faith in an hourmeter as they are easily and often changed.
If you can verify the hours and any maintenance records and repairs this means alot to me. High hours with good maintainance can alot of times be better then a low houred one that was abused. If you can buy from the original owner and see how they generally have taken care of things around their place this can be as good of indicator than anything.
 
I'd agree, tractor by tractor basis. If a good dealer has just gone through a well maintained 7000 hour top to bottom, it would be higher in my books than a 3000 hour unit that has been poorly maintained.
 
I think you're trying to compare apples to oranges. You have to take each one on its own merits. There are so many variables from make to make that it's impossible to make specific comparisons.

A good example is the TA's in Farmalls, at least through the 86 series. The average life of a TA is about 3,000 hours, so when looking at a Farmall the first question you usually ask is how many hours are on a TA, and does it work. Obviously, for anything but a Farmall, this isn't even a consideration.

Even with things that do the same thing, like brakes and steering, there are so many different designs it's hard to compare.

How the unit was used and maintained is also a BIG factor.

Like I said, you just about have to take each one on its own merits.
 
Having an older low hour tractor and not being able to get parts for it would be a concern. Most popular models have parts available though. Asking what owners of the particular tractors say about them would be a big help. If 9 out of 10 owners say the tractor is good, it's at least a tractor to consider. Dave
 
The old mechanical tachs were(are) notorious for failure and frequently were not repaired when they did. Unless you can verify the hours, I would put little faith in what the tach says. Wear on drawbar hole and 3 pt arms is often a good indication of useage. As others have stated, maintenance (or lack thereof) is of more importance. Also keep in mind that a tractor with 6,000 hrs polus may very well have had the engine rebuilt in the recent past, meaning it should go longer before requiring that major expense than one w/ 3,500 hrs.....the history of the machine is what is important. If you cannot verify the history, then you want to buy on the cheap side in case you find a major problem.
 
I'd certainly agree that condition is much more important than age and hours. I also look at in production and after market parts support, and salvage parts availability. 1900 hours on a tractor over 3 decades old? Make sure its not 11900 hours.
 
Don't really pay attention to either of those...

Price, availability of parts, and maintenance history are much more important than age or hours on the meter.

As others have said, don't trust an old hourmeter - they quit often and many times no one bothered to replace them.

Best way to just condition is to have a compression or leak-down test, how many psi? How worn is the hitch? How loose is the steering and shifting? What condition are the tires and rims in? If you're buying from a farmer, how does everything else in the yard look?
 
I always check and make sure it's a Farmall first. :>)

Allan

ACF1355.JPG
 
Case, IHC or UGH! John deere would be my choices in older tractors as parts are more available.
In newer ones I would add the Kubota I have a 77 L-285 and have no problem with parts. If you can't get new parts for it then it's only good for show and tell at the round ups.
Walt
 
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