What should you do before you go see it?
Ask the seller for the make, model, age, hours shown and service history in advance. Look up the model's known strengths and common problems in owner forums and extension buying guides. Decide your top price and your walk-away points before you arrive.
Bring a flashlight, rags, gloves, a notebook and a phone for photos. Ask if you may start the machine cold, since a warmed-up engine can hide starting problems.
Take your time. A rushed inspection is the one most likely to miss something. If the seller is in a hurry, that is worth noticing and worth mentioning to your mechanic friend afterward.
What should you check on the outside first?
Walk around slowly in good light. Look at the overall condition for signs of hard use, such as bent or re-welded parts, mismatched paint and repairs that do not look right.
Check the serial number plate and compare it to any paperwork. Mismatched numbers or a missing plate deserve questions.
- Tires: uneven wear, cracks, bulges and missing lugs
- Frame and axle housings: cracks, welds and leaks
- Rollover protection and seat belt: present, intact and unmodified
- Shields on the power takeoff and other moving parts: all in place
- Lights, mirrors, steps and handholds: working and secure
- Hours meter: compare to wear on pedals, seat and steering wheel
How do you check the engine?
Check fluids first with the engine off. Look at oil, coolant and hydraulic fluid for color and contamination, and under the machine for fresh leaks. Then start it cold and listen for knocking, rough running or unusual smoke.
Watch the gauges, hear how it idles and how it responds to throttle. Hard starting, heavy smoke or low pressure are reasons to slow down or walk away. A mechanic can give a firmer opinion.
Ask what the machine was used for. A tractor that spent its life mowing and light work wears differently from one that pushed heavy loader work or pulled heavy implements every day.
How do you test the drivetrain, hydraulics and loader?
Drive it. Shift through every gear, engage the clutch or hydrostatic controls, and test brakes, steering and the park brake. Excess play, slipping, grinding or noise should be written down.
Operate the hydraulics and loader through their full range, then hold a load up and watch for drifting. Check pins and bushings for looseness. Engage the power takeoff briefly with the area clear and listen.
Use a measured approach to hydraulics. Listen for a whine, watch for slow or jerky movement, and notice whether the loader sinks while holding a load. Any of these can point to wear that may be expensive to repair.
What about paperwork and ownership?
Confirm the seller is the true owner, ask about liens, and learn what documents are required where you live. Rules for titling and registration vary by state, so check with your state agency or county office.
Get the sale terms in writing, including what is included and whether the sale is as-is. A reputable seller will not mind your questions.
Ask about any outstanding recalls or safety bulletins for the model, which a dealer or the manufacturer may be able to look up for you.
When should you hire a mechanic?
If the machine is a major purchase, a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is cheap insurance. Ask local farmers who they trust and whether the mechanic has no stake in the sale.
If a seller refuses an inspection, treat that as information. There will be other tractors.
How do you weigh what you find?
No used machine is perfect. Sort what you find into three groups: safety issues you will fix before use, repairs that affect price, and minor wear you can live with. Missing shields, damaged rollover structures or failing brakes belong in the first group and are reasons to walk away unless fixed.
Use the second group to negotiate, but be fair. Get a repair estimate from a local mechanic if you can. Remember that a low price on a machine that needs substantial work is not necessarily a bargain, and that parts and labor costs vary by region.
- Walk away from missing or modified safety equipment unless it is restored
- Estimate repair costs before negotiating
- Sleep on the decision for at least a day when possible
- Keep the checklist and photos for your records
Key takeaways
- Inspect cold, in good light, and with a list in hand.
- Check the safety structure and shields, not just the engine.
- Test every gear, the brakes, the hydraulics and the loader.
- Confirm ownership and get terms in writing.
- Hire an independent mechanic for any significant purchase.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.