Barn trophy?

[HappyTopster]

I see quite a few 3-5 yr old tractors with <50 hrs on FB market. Any caveats? Is it easy to manipulate the hour meter? I know in general it’s not good for machinery to sit unused. How do you assess if a tractor has issues from dis-use?
Thanks

 

[PaulL]

1. There can be scams. Deals too good to be true aren't true. Usually ask them for photos of something specific and obscure that you happen to have interest in - if they can't produce the photo they don't have the tractor

2. There's lots of stories about how few hours are just as bad as lots of hours. I don't think they are, particularly at 3-5 years. If it hasn't been sitting outside and hasn't been abused it'll probably be good buying.

3. It's not that easy to manipulate hour meters, and even if they have, the rest of the tractor either looks almost new or doesn't. Condition matters a lot irrespective of hours.

Some will be scams, but some will be real. People buy tractors then circumstances change, or they just have a lot of money and happily bought a machine they only use a little bit. If the machine is real, and the hours are real, and it's in good condition, then it's probably great buying.

 

[HappyTopster]

1. There can be scams. Deals too good to be true aren't true. Usually ask them for photos of something specific and obscure that you happen to have interest in - if they can't produce the photo they don't have the tractor

2. There's lots of stories about how few hours are just as bad as lots of hours. I don't think they are, particularly at 3-5 years. If it hasn't been sitting outside and hasn't been abused it'll probably be good buying.

3. It's not that easy to manipulate hour meters, and even if they have, the rest of the tractor either looks almost new or doesn't. Condition matters a lot irrespective of hours.

Some will be scams, but some will be real. People buy tractors then circumstances change, or they just have a lot of money and happily bought a machine they only use a little bit. If the machine is real, and the hours are real, and it's in good condition, then it's probably great buying.

Thank you. Good points! Esp about specific photo. How about request FaceTime where they do live walk-around? If I were selling I’d have no issue.
With no-tractor scam, they want you to show then rob you? Driving several hours to unknown location w/$20k in pocket seems sketchy. Sure makes having a tractor mortgage (buy new) a bit easier to swallow. I think $6k for motorcycle private sale was my largest cash outlay to a stranger.

 

[Scm]

start with photos and email before giving out your # to a potential scammer

 

[Hoserman]

Ahh Thats why you never travel alone. Safety in numbers and while looking over the machine in question you are content in the fact someone is watching your six.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Ahh Thats why you never travel alone. Safety in numbers and while looking over the machine in question you are content in the fact someone is watching your six.

I take a Wolf with me... It makes an attempted thief think they made a big mistake!

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

Lots of people buy tractors and don't use them. Kubota bets on it with zero APR. Just sayin'. Small tractors, speed boats, expensive side by sides and expensive RV's. Many times, are a flash in the pan.

 

[HappyTopster]

start with photos and email before giving out your # to a potential scammer

Thank you.

 

[HappyTopster]

Ahh Thats why you never travel alone. Safety in numbers and while looking over the machine in question you are content in the fact someone is watching your six.

I hadn’t been figuring on that at the onset but certainly see the importance now.

 

[HappyTopster]

Lots of people buy tractors and don't use them. Kubota bets on it with zero APR. Just sayin'. Small tractors, speed boats, expensive side by sides and expensive RV's. Many times, are a flash in the pan.

Come walking in like Rambo and Company. I like it!

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

Come walking in like Rambo and Company. I like it!

I edited out the Rambo part before you answered. But you have the idea. Cheers.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

I don't know for sure, but I don't think tractor hour meter roll backs are a thing. The condition of the tractor should tell all.

 

[D2Cat]

If you were interested in something I was selling and wanted FaceTime you'd be buying from someone else!