Risky or not?

[j6891]

Looking for more horsepower but certainly can't justify new. Would you be tempted by a over 10,000 hours tractor or is it asking for trouble? What kind of hours would a 10 year old tractor say expect to run too. 1000 hours a year 180hp tractor will have done some heavy work but would that put you off or can most things be justifiably repaired if a major expense came along - presuming saving compared to buying a new tractor of similar size. See lots of high houred tractors about so someone must buy them? Anyone any experience of a high houred dabble and did it pay off if got at sensible money?

 

[ARW]

Sounds like you want my t7040, 10 years old, 11k hours hedgecutting, trouble free running so far

 

[Drillman]

I wouldn’t be worried about running a well cared for 10,000hr tractor. However I would want a back up even if it’s another 10,000 hr tractor for when it goes wrong.

I say this as the owner of one 9 year old 6000hr tractor and a 17 year old 6000hr tractor. The 19 year old 9000hr backup tractor having recently been sold and not replaced.

 

[neilo]

Looking for more horsepower but certainly can't justify new. Would you be tempted by a over 10,000 hours tractor or is it asking for trouble? What kind of hours would a 10 year old tractor say expect to run too. 1000 hours a year 180hp tractor will have done some heavy work but would that put you off or can most things be justifiably repaired if a major expense came along - presuming saving compared to buying a new tractor of similar size. See lots of high houred tractors about so someone must buy them? Anyone any experience of a high houred dabble and did it pay off if got at sensible money?

If you can’t afford a lower houred tractor, will you be able to afford a £10k+ repair bill when the gearbox goes bang? It might go on with no bother of course, but the likelihood of a major breakdown can only increase with high hours.

I only have one tractor here, on 8k hours, and I realise i’m Taking a gamble on it lasting without serious bother. My ‘back up plan’ is to either use contractors or ring round for a short term hire, if the worst happens, and worry about the big bill when it arrives.
‘Spare’ tractors and/or continual replacement with new don’t come cheap either.

 

[Giles1]

Took a punt on a Valtra 8150 with 9500 hours on the clock. Brakes were iffy,changed them,other than that first season complete with no breakdowns,about 500 hours. Our 6350 will do everything it does,but would be puffing,hence 8150 taking the load off the smaller one,though it would back up. Both are looked after,so hopefully depreciation will not be excessive and repairs minimal,however.........

 

[Speedstar]

Looking for more horsepower but certainly can't justify new. Would you be tempted by a over 10,000 hours tractor or is it asking for trouble? What kind of hours would a 10 year old tractor say expect to run too. 1000 hours a year 180hp tractor will have done some heavy work but would that put you off or can most things be justifiably repaired if a major expense came along - presuming saving compared to buying a new tractor of similar size. See lots of high houred tractors about so someone must buy them? Anyone any experience of a high houred dabble and did it pay off if got at sensible money?

If you got to the states a 10,000 hour tractor is just run in, I would have no fears buying one with high hours on it , what makes are you looking at as some will be better than others

 

[tweedale terrier]

In an ideal world if you were buying a high hour tractor. It would be from an arable area with one driver who cared for and serviced it religiously. Preferably someone you know. There are many tractors with big hours working fairly trouble free generally they have been demoted from really hard work.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

I'm not a mechanic in any shape or form but I would not worry about hours as much as age.
In my experience, wiring seems to start failing after 12 years old which on a MF135 is of virtually no consequence but a 'modern' tractor with umpteen sensors and ECU's is a bloody nightmare.

If its a 'good old' tractor, if the worst happens and you have to shell out for a gearbox or engine overhaul, at least you'll have a half new tractor at a whole lot less money than a new tractor.

 

[kiwi pom]

All depends on what it is, how its been used and why it was sold.
It might be ok it may need engine and transmission work a month after you bought it. Could you afford a 10k+ repair, or the downtime?

 

[tweedale terrier]

What is your budget? Any brand preference

 

[Greythundercloudys]

Barclay tractors have a 6070,9000hrs, 16500 grand, it looks clean in the pics.

 

[kiwi pom]

If you got to the states a 10,000 hour tractor is just run in, I would have no fears buying one with high hours on it , what makes are you looking at as some will be better than others

Americans are much more likely to put $'s into an older tractor (or truck) if it breaks down, engines, transmissions etc. Whether that is because its cost effective or because they cant get finance on a new one is perhaps up for debate?

Surprising how few hours farmers actually put on a lot of tractors over there too. With no transport role a lot only clock relatively low hours on field work, so are kept for much longer.
No going out contracting with them for something to do probably helps to.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Americans are much more likely to put $'s into an older tractor (or truck) if it breaks down, engines, transmissions etc. Whether that is because its cost effective or because they cant get finance on a new one is perhaps up for debate?

Surprising how few hours farmers actually put on a lot of tractors over there too. With no transport role a lot only clock relatively low hours on field work, so are kept for much longer.
No going out contracting with them for something to do probably helps to.

I would have thought the opposite was true, many get a new tractor on finance because they can't afford repairs?........

 

[tweedale terrier]

It’s very common for tractors in the states to have major engine, transmission overhauls. Generally before they fail. Rather than shell out on new kit.

 

[kiwi pom]

I would have thought the opposite was true, many get a new tractor on finance because they can't afford repairs?........

Yes many do, especially the bigger farms/companies but i'd say there's a lot of smaller farms that just cant afford the repayments and don't want the risk of keeping up with them in a down year. As a result they have to run with the risk of a big breakdown. If it happens they may not even fix it.
It's particularly true in the trucking industry over there. Most of the mega carriers change trucks while they are in warranty, the owner operator will often buy a cheaper truck (cash or finance) because its their only option and just hope nothing goes wrong. A blown engine at the wrong time puts a lot out of business.

 

[j6891]

What is your budget? Any brand preference

I'm thinking £35 top but my thoughts are either spend it all on as new a tractor as I can get or go for something about £25 and keep £10 for any repairs? Is it realistic to get a new transmission/engine as said as a preventative measure or do you just fix it when something does go bang. Brand wise not fussy but do fancy a t series valtra

 

[Farmer Roy]

I'm thinking £35 top but my thoughts are either spend it all on as new a tractor as I can get or go for something about £25 and keep £10 for any repairs? Is it realistic to get a new transmission/engine as said as a preventative measure or do you just fix it when something does go bang. Brand wise not fussy but do fancy a t series valtra

nah, just save the money . . .

 

[David.]

Your £35k machine will not guarantee trouble free either.

 

[daveydiesel1]

Well for that money if you headed to less common brands they would be cheaper than say a jd. Erwin agri care of northern ireland have a zetor crystal 160 way around 3500 hours and i think around your money would buy it which isnt a bad deal. I sat in it and its nice big tractor way good tyres

 

[Farmer Roy]

Your £35k machine will not guarantee trouble free either.

err, £35K IS a cheap, 10,000 hour tractor here . . .