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Good morning. First a qualifier. Haven't worked with the 20, but our 30 and 40 (no suffixes) are similar to the ag models in most respects, so may be able to generalize a bit. Weight - our 40 (3 cyl perkins, loader) is about 6500 lbs. The 30, 4 cyl, loader, backhoe is about 9500 lb. Droplets of oil are unusual. But if there are no signs of oil tracks from leaking gaskets (valve cover is common) should be ok. Could the fan be blowing something back across the engine? Antifreeze? Take a look under the water pump and the connecting hoses for a seep. Stiff 3-point could be as simple as the tension springs on the levers being snug. Do the lift arms respond smoothly with a HEAVY load on them? and stop without creep half way up, or other positions, in response to the inside lever? That's the test of a sound system. Power steering could be fluid - did you check the level? After that, diagnosis will depend on the system. I've seen 4 diffeerent systems. If you have complete hydraulic steering (no arm(s)) connecting the axle to the steering box, a pressure test is the only check. The one arm type (like 65, 165) has a control valve and cyl in front of the rad - often linkage wear prevents the control valve from opening far enough. A bit of help from a pry bar will test this. 2-arm types connecting the steering box to the front linkage have either a ram on the steering box (US 35/135/type, pressure test is the only option) or 2 cyls up front and a control valve under the dash on the steering column (UK 135 type). Screwdriver to help move the valve will test for sloppy linkage on this system. (Watch out for bare electrical wires on this test!) Weak pump = $300 - $400 US. Internals could be $100 - $500 for parts, and 2 days max labour, depending on system. Perkins engines are smooth, reliable, fuel efficient, and cheap to overhaul. Black smoke is somewhat normal; check for blow-by out the breather or oil dipstick. This usually means worn sleeves/rings/higher oil consumption/overhaul in the next 500 - 1000 hours. Check the glass bowl under the fuel filter(s), if fitted, for dirt and water. Dirt here will raise a big question about previous maintenance. Do the brakes work ok? Our drum types out at the wheels have been good, the disk types on each side of the transmission have been a pain. Parts are not expensive ($200-250) from aftermarket sources, but installing them is! Does the differential lock work, if fitted? Handy for loader application. Often siezes due to rust, but can be a stripped gear internally ($500 or so plus a day to install) if engaged with a wheel spinning. Our 30 and 40 have been very solid tractors, and once the bugs were removed, have proven very reliable. If you get her, change fuel filters, and keep the fuel clean. One tsp of water cost us $1000 for a new injector pump. Good luck!
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