You plan to cultivate potatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkins this planting season. However, your tractor is not showing any signs of working optimally in time for the planting season despite several repair attempts. So what do you do? While you can decide to push on with the hope that the tractor will not let you down, it is a risk you don't want to take. This is especially the case if the equipment has almost served its entire service life. If you don't have the funds to buy a new tractor, you should consider getting a used one. However, with the planting season approaching fast, time is not on your side, and so it is easy to make costly mistakes in the process of buying a used tractor. This article offers handy tips that you can apply when purchasing a used tractor.

Focus on Important Features

Used farm equipment is available in many different options. Some devices have several features, while others are fully equipped. As such, it is critical that you focus on tractors that have all the features you need for the planting season. For instance, a used Heaslip tractor might have an air-conditioned cab, a comfortable seat and a myriad of critical hydraulic gears. However, if it has a short axle, you will not be able to use dual wheels that are essential for smooth operation of a farm tractor. Therefore, before you ask about the cost of a used tractor, narrow down your search to tractors that have the features you need.

Don't Fret on the Specs

Today, farm equipment comes with all manner of specs and technology. For example, tractors with power steering wheels are becoming popular, but if you are used to operating a manual steering wheel tractor, it is easy to ignore the former. While there is no problem with using old and proven technology, you are better off buying a tractor that is equipped with some of the favourite and advanced features, especially if the cost is well within your budget. Such capabilities increase the resale value of the equipment. Therefore, you can sell your tractor for a higher price once the planting season is over.

Ask for Repair Records 

It might sound obvious, but most used equipment buyers don't know what to look out for in previous records. Notably, if you don't understand what historical data says about a used tractor, then you are destined to make a wrong purchase. For instance, major tractor manufacturing brands discourage clients from using independent repair service providers when a tractor develops a technical problem. Going against the requirement voids the warranty with the manufacturer and can cause problems with subsequent repairs. Therefore, check and confirm that all repairs and maintenance services were carried out by the manufacturer.