New tractor prices are high. Is it actually worth buying a good used tractor, or do the repairs cancel out the savings?
3 Answers
A used tractor can make good sense if you buy carefully and use it for limited hours. The upfront price is much lower and you skip the steepest part of depreciation, which hits a new tractor hardest in its first years. The trade offs are that you may not get a warranty, you cannot claim new tractor subsidy, and an engine or transmission problem can be expensive. It works best when you buy a well maintained machine of a popular model with easily available spares, get it inspected by a trusted mechanic, and have realistic expectations on repairs. If you do very heavy annual hours or want full warranty and the latest features, new may be better. Either way, budget some money for early servicing. Decide based on your hours per year and your access to a good mechanic.
I bought a 7 year old popular model, got it checked by my mechanic, and it has served me 4 years with only routine repairs. Saved a lot.
Buy a common model only. My cousin bought a rare brand used and now spare parts are a headache.