Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Used Tractor Purchasing Advice
Options
Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
kevthegaff wrote: »Is it me or the price of 20-30 year old tractor Are f""kin mad
Tractors are funny things. Unlike cars, they are built to last forever. As long as you look after them properly, they will. It's not unusual for a 20-30 y.o to work like a dream around the farm. Hence the high value.
Another reason for the high costs is that they don't really make 2 wheel drive tractors any more as most farmers want the pull power of a 4 wheel drive. Hence, 2WDs are in high demand for a number of reasons (lower turn radius, cheaper tyres and less things to go wrong)
That's why I started this thread; it's tough to pay so much for something that could have a very interesting/disturbing past!
0 -
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
Hello,
I don't plan on sharing my experience with every tractor I view but I just thought I would give an update on the 6810. I took a half day today, viewed the 6810 and went window shopping around a few different dealers.
The seller was up front in telling me before I viewed that a few small things needed to be fixed. He assured me however that there was no rust on the cabin and also that it was a ribbed engine block and there was no current or potential porous issue.
When I viewed the tractor, it wasn't as clean as I was expecting but maybe it was as good as you can get.
(I don't seem to be able to post images yet)
. Is there any way I can show images without getting banned?
Firstly, I took it for a test drive on the road and it did feel nice to drive. The engine had a good uniform sound, there was no excessive smoking and it didn't conk at low revs.
Ah, the joys of a 2WD, I was easily able to lock the wheels and pull a tight U turn on on the main road.
The cab was a bit of a let down (AP cab with floor change). There was in fact rust all around at the seams, if you looked closely. The seller had a job letting down the pick up hitch as the handle had broken off. It was difficult to pull the handle to raise and drop the arms. The spool valves were leaking oil but I was assured that they would be replaced. The latch on one of the doors and latch on back window was faulty but seller said he could fix. The back wheels had cracks all over (in the threads not on the walls). All the blue paint that White Clover mentioned would truly knock the eye out of your head.
It was a Series 2 Ford. I got images of the engine but can't tell if its the ribbed block model. It did not appear to have the water filter that blue5000 mentioned but the seller assured me that he put a gallon of antifreeze in with some water.
Would I be mad if said I still want the tractor considering all these issues? Or should I turn on my heels and find a cleaner tractor like the Massey that Bass Reeves mentioned?0 -
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
-
-
I looked back over the pictures there and the code is: E6NN9425XX (last 2 left out). I didn't get a picture of the tax slip so I can't see if it matches.
It is in fact the XX ribbed block now that I see the pictures again.
I can see that it has the mount with bolt holes for the water filter but the filter itself is not there. Must have been taken off. At €11k, I'm getting cold feet on this one.
Very true. I am keeping an open mind on all other makes and models.
I had a feeling that I would end right back with the Zetors. On visiting 3-4 dealers they all agree that 2WDs are hard to come by these days and they are coming with a hefty price tag.
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/ford-6810-series-3/11986665
Have a look at this, even has a Galway reg
If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.
0 -
https://www.donedeal.ie/tractors-for-sale/ford-6810-series-3/11986665
Have a look at this, even has a Galway reg
That increases it's worth substantially!!0 -
Right, just to give an update on my endeavor to find a suitable 2 wheel drive tractor:
I spent ~6 hrs on the road yesterday going to 4 different dealers. I saw some good and some bad and some very bad tractors. I came out the other end with 4 interesting candidates that I would like some advice on. (I listed them below with some detailed info underneath, which is optional - not necessary to read if you don't feel like it!)
1) MF 390 (1993, I think) 5500 hours (€?????)
This was the cleanest tractor I've seen yet, a real beauty. There was some straw in the cabin and a slight twang of slurry so I can only assume it was used for something related to these two. Sadly though I didn't get a chance to drive it as the dealer was busy in the shop and I needed to get to another dealer before lunch. I will give them a call on Tuesday for a quote.
I was speaking to another (apparent) private seller of a 1997 MF 390 (4800hrs) who was looking for a low low price of €18,000 - €20,000 for his.............
2) Ford 7610 (1988) 7200 hours (Dealer looking for €10,000)
This was a series 2 with a non-ribbed engine block. It had a Q cab. This was the first ford I drove with a Q cab and I have to say, it was immensely more comfortable than the AP cab just as quietsailor mentioned. I can't tell why, it just was. I think it might be the combination of the flat floor, lack of things between your legs (gear sticks etc. not the other 'things') and also the distance from the seat to the pedals.
What I liked about this dealer is that he had no interest in the cosmetics of the tractors, so all the tractor's battle scars were in full view displaying it's history. Apart from some fairly bad rust on the doors and a missing back window, the tractor looked great. It started no problem, had a good sound and no excessive smoking. When I was driving it around the yard, a local "unbiased, independant, neutral" observer spoke to me, giving me the elbow and the wink telling me what a good tractor it was, which kind of put me off. He also took one look at the side and said "there's no blow back, great condition".
How does one check for blow back? Do you just check to see if there is oil seeping from the cap or dipstick?
I questioned the dealer on the porous block issue and he said that an old local used the tractor as a car and that the dealer serviced it himself and only put antifreeze in, never a drop of water, which is reassuring. He said he himself never came across the issue.
Bass Reeves, can the engine go porous even if antifreeze alone is used?
3) Zetor 4320 1995 (estimated 2500 hours) (€11,000)
This was a very nice tractor. It was used in an old prison in Dublin before it closed down, so the hours are low and the tractor was kept inside for most of its life. The dealer (same as the ford) seemed reluctant to sell this one to me, probably because he said there was a man coming all the way in from the Aran Islands to look at it. So it's probably a shoe-in sale for him.
4) Zetor 6211 1991 (6000hrs) €8500
This one was fine. It was a bit rusty inside and out and a bit jumpy to drive. The dealer (same as ford and zetor above) was keen on selling me this one. It would probably do the job for me but I wouldn't be too excited to hand over 8.5k for it.
There were 2 MF 265s that didn't make the cut. One of them was very nice to drive but it was a 1985 and the dealer was looking for €9000. It probably wouldn't handle bales very well.
Any advice/suggestions welcome.
Once I get one nailed down (be it on the list above or not), I would like to get some advice on haggling etiquette i.e. how much below the asking price is reasonable to ask for. I am quite the haggler so don't hold back.0 -
Right, just to give an update on my endeavor to find a suitable 2 wheel drive tractor:
I spent ~6 hrs on the road yesterday going to 4 different dealers. I saw some good and some bad and some very bad tractors. I came out the other end with 4 interesting candidates that I would like some advice on. (I listed them below with some detailed info underneath, which is optional - not necessary to read if you don't feel like it!)
1) MF 390 (1993, I think) 5500 hours (€?????)
This was the cleanest tractor I've seen yet, a real beauty. There was some straw in the cabin and a slight twang of slurry so I can only assume it was used for something related to these two. Sadly though I didn't get a chance to drive it as the dealer was busy in the shop and I needed to get to another dealer before lunch. I will give them a call on Tuesday for a quote.
I was speaking to another (apparent) private seller of a 1997 MF 390 (4800hrs) who was looking for a low low price of €18,000 - €20,000 for his.............
2) Ford 7610 (1988) 7200 hours (Dealer looking for €10,000)
This was a series 2 with a non-ribbed engine block. It had a Q cab. This was the first ford I drove with a Q cab and I have to say, it was immensely more comfortable than the AP cab just as quietsailor mentioned. I can't tell why, it just was. I think it might be the combination of the flat floor, lack of things between your legs (gear sticks etc. not the other 'things') and also the distance from the seat to the pedals.
What I liked about this dealer is that he had no interest in the cosmetics of the tractors, so all the tractor's battle scars were in full view displaying it's history. Apart from some fairly bad rust on the doors and a missing back window, the tractor looked great. It started no problem, had a good sound and no excessive smoking. When I was driving it around the yard, a local "unbiased, independant, neutral" observer spoke to me, giving me the elbow and the wink telling me what a good tractor it was, which kind of put me off. He also took one look at the side and said "there's no blow back, great condition".
How does one check for blow back? Do you just check to see if there is oil seeping from the cap or dipstick?
I questioned the dealer on the porous block issue and he said that an old local used the tractor as a car and that the dealer serviced it himself and only put antifreeze in, never a drop of water, which is reassuring. He said he himself never came across the issue.
Bass Reeves, can the engine go porous even if antifreeze alone is used?
3) Zetor 4320 1995 (estimated 2500 hours) (€11,000)
This was a very nice tractor. It was used in an old prison in Dublin before it closed down, so the hours are low and the tractor was kept inside for most of its life. The dealer (same as the ford) seemed reluctant to sell this one to me, probably because he said there was a man coming all the way in from the Aran Islands to look at it. So it's probably a shoe-in sale for him.
4) Zetor 6211 1991 (6000hrs) €8500
This one was fine. It was a bit rusty inside and out and a bit jumpy to drive. The dealer (same as ford and zetor above) was keen on selling me this one. It would probably do the job for me but I wouldn't be too excited to hand over 8.5k for it.
There were 2 MF 265s that didn't make the cut. One of them was very nice to drive but it was a 1985 and the dealer was looking for €9000. It probably wouldn't handle bales very well.
Any advice/suggestions welcome.
Once I get one nailed down (be it on the list above or not), I would like to get some advice on haggling etiquette i.e. how much below the asking price is reasonable to ask for. I am quite the haggler so don't hold back.
id go with the 390 all the time. Solid reliable tractor. Excellent engine, easily fixed. the ones you mention seem spotless with low hours. they will always have a high value as are much sought after. 18-20k for a 2wd 1997 is nuts though. id say something if it was 4wd0 -
Advertisement
-
Advertisement