Want to boost productivity on your farm or property? You may want to think twice about that brand new tractor you’ve been eyeing off. 

Let’s be clear. Buying a new tractor isn’t a bad idea. In fact, there are some benefits to having a brand-new tractor around.

However, when it comes to spending your hard-earned savings, you may want to expand your search into the second-hand and used tractor markets. Here’s what to look for when buying a used Kubota tractor.

Tractors are a big investment. You want to get it right. 

Whether you’re a landowner, farmer, or contractor, a tractor is no fun side project - as fun as it is to drive around, this investment will most likely be one of the larger ones you make. Tractors are designed to make work easier and more efficient. Getting this right from the start is crucial if you want to ensure your investment actually pays off in the long term. 

You’ll want to think about your workload over the next period - say 4 - 6 years. 

Does your tractor in mind have the attachments, power, and versatility to deal with potential tasks that may arise in this period? 

Buying a used tractor will take out a lot of the risk in your investment. But you have to make sure it will deliver over the long term. 

What to look for when buying a used Kubota tractor:

There are thousands of older tractors on the market, and choosing the right one can be difficult. You’ll need to think about the following factors:

  • Function and utility. What are you using your tractor for? 
  • Price. Consider upfront costs vs ongoing costs.
  • Quality. You’ll want to make sure it's high quality. Buying a lemon can be extremely costly.

Function and utility 

Get a used tractor that will fulfil every task you anticipate in the future. Double-check that every one of your attachments fits and works, this can be a costly mistake if existing equipment does not fit, and adjustments need to be made. 

Price (and cost)

A used tractor will cost less. And this means you’ve instantly got a bit of spare cash to play around with. Depending on what tractor you’ve gone with the savings could be upwards of a few thousand dollars. That can make a big difference in how you go about choosing.

The trick here is not to go blow it at the pub. That savings you’ve made on a used tractor can be vital in making the ongoing costs of owning and running far easier. For example, you might want to upgrade the brakes, buy an extra attachment, or maybe give your second-hand tractor a service. 

Quality: how to know which is the best-used tractor to buy?

Answer: it depends. But there are always a few indicators that you should always consider before diving in - no matter whether it’s used or brand spanking new. Here’s how to check on quality:

Check its history 

Look at its service history and follow up on any major work that’s been done with the supplier. You’ll want to have a clear picture on how the tractor has been used and what might be wrong with it. Look at how many hours it's done, and check the service records. Choosing the right tractor will ultimately involve a bit of paperwork. 

Take a look at the engine 

Start it up - make sure the seller hasn’t warmed it up before you arrived. Check for a coating of dust, oil, or anything that looks out of place. Give the engine rev and look at the exhaust for signs of insufficient combustion - black make while accelerating is normal - but constant black smoke is a problem. 

Check the hydraulics 

A dodgy hydraulic pump can spell a woeful time for the operator - especially if they are unable to complete a task effectively. It's a good idea to make sure all your attachments work well on the said tractor before saying yes. 

Make choosing easy. Test your equipment before buying

No one buys a used car without test-driving it. The same goes here. Knowing which is the best-used tractor to buy can be difficult without actually giving it a proper test drive.

Ok, but how?

Contact the team at Boya Equip. We’ve got a specialized test site at our HQ where you can test out the tractor and get a feel before you settle. No obligation to buy - just come on down. 

Don’t forget about servicing 

Buying a used tractor will be cheaper, but like all tractors, it will also come with some servicing costs. It’s best to have a local dealer that can do this for you and one who knows your machine well. 

At Boya Equip we offer tailored services to all our clients. Whether you’re buying directly from us or not, our team is standing by to assist with tractor repairs, servicing, and maintenance. 

What are the best-used tractors?

With thousands of used farm tractors on the market, you’ll want to make sure your tractor is in good shape to avoid getting a dud. At Boya Equip, we stock premium used Kubota and CAT equipment that is ready to test. 

The Kubota KX91-3S or the CAT 256C add extra excavation and earthmoving capability to your fleet or feel free to speak to our team for more offers on our range of Kubota and CAT equipment. 

Thinking of buying a used tractor? Speak to the experts

Buying used equipment and farm machinery can be a stressful experience, especially if you can’t trust the seller. Here at Boya Equip, we take the guesswork out of your search. With premium compact tractors, excavators, and other equipment, you can take advantage of our wide range of used and new models. Just visit our local Kubota Perth dealership or give us a call today on (08) 9302 2006.