I’ll put together an offer. Based on the tractors age and that it has been in storage for some amount of years, what do I need to inspect before I close the deal?
I know the battery is dead, or near death. We cranked it today and it ran smoothly. Did not operate any of the hydraulics. The brush hog is currentply attached. I’ll look for rodent invasion. Is it smart to get it outside and make sure the brush hog runs and then change over to the backhoe?
im a retired army aviator, more of an operator than a maintainer. I know the basics.
any suggestions greatly appreciated.
If it were me, I would want to get the machine started and get it to operating temperature. Try all the functions with the load and transmission and differential (have 4WD or diff lock?). Did everything engage / disengage and function properly? (basically use every lever or switch). What did you feel smell hear?
Look under hood for anything not quite right…might see a mouse nest or wasps nest…that’really doesn’t mean much though for what that machine is. Wires are replaceable.
Use your 5 senses (well im not sure about taste but who knows
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)…You should not want to see long lasting white or black smoke or hear any screeching or grinding or smell anything burning. It should not sound like marbles in the washing machine / dryer. Ideally park the machine on concrete or bring some cardboard or a white bed sheet to park over if no concrete….shut it off and let it sit for a little bit and see if anything leaking. Leaking is not necessarily bad, since it is still new, it could a loose fitting (that’s not unusual in first few hours). To me the main thing would be making sure the transmission, loader, and PTO all work properly.
You can check the fluid levels but at so few hours all that tells you is it probably was not ever filled appropriately or checked.
When you get it home plan to put a new battery in and maybe consider to do or have a full service done with all new fluids and filters…not sure anything wrong with what’s there but I think I would start fresh. But that’s up to you….it a new machine, just been sitting. If you don’t do a full service at least check all the fluids, including in fr axle. Also check all the lug nuts.
With the BH, to me it would be helpful to know what all parts you need to install it / remove it. Get the manuals if they have them…that would be helpful to install if not done that before IMO.
I think all implements you can probably plan to lube them as necessary when you get them home. You may want to have a bit of grease with you if plan to install any.
Most importantly don’t wait (you might have to run to catch a unicorn)…I’d be bringing the widow donuts and coffee and your checkbook this morning.
Happy shopping.