GUIDE – Should I Buy A New Tractor Or A Used One?
There is no doubt that purchasing a new tractor is not something that can be done on a whim. They are a major investment and thus the whole purchasing process must be carefully considered. The good news here is that when you contact Heming Engineering you are dealing with a business that has been matching the needs of its clients with the right tractor or other farm equipment for decades.
Heming Engineering Can Match Your Needs to the Right Tractor
We understand that buying any type of farm equipment has to be carefully considered, it being imperative that you get the best return for your cash/investment. And when it comes to selecting tractors it can get quite difficult, there being so many different brands and models available.
New or Used?
Some farmers can, simply cannot afford a new model and have to settle for a used tractor. Of course, this can be a good option even for those who could afford one a new one. There are many reasons this is true, a good number of these being discussed in this document.
Here are some factors that may help you choose whether to buy a new or well maintained second hand tractor.
The most obvious point is that a used tractor will cost less, potentially a lot less, than a new one, whilst being perfectly able to do all that you need it to do.
And, if budget is the only thing stopping you from choosing to go for the latest tractor, the one with all those bells and whistles, then before you dismiss that idea, do consider leasing, as this can be more affordable and can have tax advantages too.
Why Should I Purchase A Second Hand Tractor Rather Than A Brand New One?
Before even considering whether to buy new or old, you need to work out what the tractor will be doing, what sort of jobs you will be using it for. In some cases this may make the decision for you. For example, maybe you have some particularly rough ground. This could mean you need a new fancy tractor, one with extra gadgetry to enable it to handle the terrain, or conversely, it could mean you need an old tractor, one which you don’t mind (too much) if it gets damaged or dented.
Let us go through some benefits of buying a second hand tractor
- As mentioned above, perhaps the biggest factor is that second hand tractors are cheaper
- Used Tractors (like cars) depreciate a lot slower than new units
- It can be easier finding a second hand model than a new one
- The tractor is a known commodity (you know what it can do and if it has any design faults)
Besides these, there is also the added advantage that you can spend the money saved on another project, perhaps increasing the profitability of your farm?
Lets look at these factors in more detail
It is true to say that an expensive new model can jusity its price tag because it uses the latest technology, but then again, do you really need it. Sometimes, keeping it simple can be a blessing..
And when it comes to losing value as soon as you drive it off the forecourt, tractors suffer in the same way as cars. This is not something that you can get around, even with second hand units, but the loss over the first few years of ownership is considerably less with an older model.
Then there is the problem of being able to get hold of that shiny new tractor. Sometimes, it can be very hard indeed to lay your hands on that spanking new model, this being increased still further if you want a model that has yet to be released. New models are also subject to delays in manufacturing (something that has been a big problem in these days of component shortages), as well as transportation delays. Registering a new tractor can also take a good deal of time.
All of these issues are avoided when you choose a second hand tractor from stock. It is there, waiting for you. All you have to do is to decide which one you want and it could be delivered in days…
The final issue is perhaps the most important. A used tractor is a known entity (especially if you can gain access to its service and repair history), one where the faults with the model have been discovered and noted. Besides the obvious maintenance issues, there are no surprises with a second hand tractor…
But there are other issues that you need to consider
Reliability
As with any machine, tractors tend to need more repairs as they get older, there coming a point when basically, it is just not worth spending the money on fixing them. In order to ensure that you get as many ‘repair free’ years as possible, and that maintenance fees are reduced, start by buying a tractor with less that 5,000 hours on the clock.
Life expectancy is solely dependent on the life history of use.
Rotavating is an arduous job on the T.T.O transmission system.
Keeping to this ‘sweet spot’ ensures you get the best balance between purchasing and repair costs.
It is also worth noting that older machines have fewer electronic parts and systems. This can make them a lot more reliable and cheaper to run. But you will have to accept that you won’t get all the ease of use features that modern models offer.
Then there is the matter of warranties. New tractors normally have a warranty, a number of months where any faults will be fixed without you having to put your hand in your pocket (in most cases anyway). But, these warranties only help when you purchase your tractor through a trusted dealer. One like Heming Engineering, one which you know will support you if trouble strikes.
Newer tractors typically have a lot of electronic components these days, so again you have to buy from the right place, one that can support you when one of them fails (normally at the very worst of times).
What are you going to be using the tractor for?
This item was mentioned at the start of the article, it having an important bearing on your choice.
For example, if you are a professional farmer with a lot of ground, and expect the tractor to be heavily used every day, then a new model may be the best option. On the other hand, if you are running a small holding or just want a compact tractor for your garden, then perhaps a used model is the best bet as you will be putting relatively little wear and tear on the equipment.
Sizing your tractor
One of the main ways you can ensure that you choose the right model is to consider what implements you will want the tractor to be able to handle over the next few years / within the life time of the unit. Can the tractor, new or used handle it?
It is also vital to ensure that any tractor you are considering is up to the job in other ways , like lifting capacity, as under powered tractors can be dangerous to their operators and are more liable to be damaged when worked too hard. On the other hand, an oversized unit will use more fuel and may well be harder to handle in tight spots.
Conclusion
There are many Pros and Cons to consider when deciding to buy a new or used tractor, it being a decision you may need to discuss with an expert, someone who has your best interests at heart and is entirely committed to customer service. Someone like Heming Engineering..
Please contact us to discuss your needs and in the meantime, we hope this article has helped.