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Tillage & Soil Prep EquipmentBuying Used Tillage Equipment
A used tillage tool can save real money, but only if you inspect it the way a mechanic would. Look past fresh paint and ask what the machine has been through.
Key points
- Match any used tool to your tractor, soil and tillage system first.
- Inspect frames, welds and hinge points closely.
- Check wear parts, bearings and hydraulics, and price in the repairs.
- Ask about use history and confirm clear ownership.
- Budget for first-season repairs.
What should you decide before you shop?
Start with your tractor and your fields. Write down your tractor's hitch type and category, hydraulic outlets, PTO needs and pulling capacity, using the operator's manual. Then list your soil types, residue levels and the tillage system you plan to use.
A tool that is too big for your tractor, or the wrong design for your soil, is no bargain at any price. Talk to your extension agent or a neighbor with similar ground about what works.
A good habit is to bring a short written checklist and a flashlight, and to take photos of anything that worries you. Pictures help you compare machines later and give you something concrete to show a mechanic or a dealer.
How do you inspect the frame and structure?
Walk around the whole machine in good light. Look for cracked or repaired welds, bent toolbars, twisted frames and wings that droop. Fresh paint over a weld can hide a crack, so scrape or look closely.
Check the hitch, pivot points and fold hinges for slop. Excess play means worn bushings and pins. Structural damage is expensive and can be dangerous, so walk away from anything that looks twisted or badly welded.
- Cracks, patches and thick weld repairs
- Bent toolbars, shanks and wings
- Worn pins, bushings and hinge points
- Rust that has eaten into structural steel
What about wear parts and bearings?
Look at shovels, sweeps, discs, blades and points. Heavily worn parts will need replacing soon, and that cost belongs in your offer. Spin discs and gangs by hand and listen for rough bearings. Check for wobble, leaking seals and dry, dirty grease.
Ask how many acres the machine has covered and in what soils. Sandy, rocky or abrasive ground wears equipment much faster than loamy soil. Seller records, if any, help you judge what has been replaced.
How do you check hydraulics and folding systems?
If the tool has hydraulic cylinders, hoses and fold systems, ask to see them operate. Look for leaks, cracked or swollen hoses and cylinders that creep down. Never check a leak with your bare hand, because high-pressure fluid can inject through skin.
Test the folding action slowly, standing well clear. Wings that fold unevenly or drop unexpectedly are a hazard. Repairing hydraulic systems calls for a qualified mechanic, so price that into your decision.
What questions should you ask the seller?
Ask who used it, for how long and on what crops and soils. Ask about repairs, damage and anything stored outside. Ask why they are selling. Ask for manuals, parts lists and service records if they exist.
Confirm the seller owns the machine and that no lender has a claim on it. For anything with a title or serial number record, check the paperwork. Ask an attorney or your lender about how to handle liens and bills of sale, because rules vary by state.
Where is the best place to buy?
Dealers, auctions, private sellers and online listings all have their strengths. A dealer may offer an inspection and a limited promise, though terms vary. Auctions can bring good prices but usually sell as-is, with little time to inspect.
Whichever you choose, take a knowledgeable friend or a mechanic if you can. Look at the machine on dry ground in daylight, not in a muddy corner at dusk.
If a seller will not let you inspect the machine, run it or take your time, treat that as information. Honest sellers usually welcome a careful look.
How does price and financing fit in?
Do not rely on a price you read somewhere. Compare similar machines in your area, subtract the cost of needed repairs and wear parts, and set your own limit. Ask a lender, FSA office or accountant about financing and tax treatment before you commit, since terms vary.
Keep some budget for the first season's repairs. Almost every used tillage tool needs something, and having funds ready keeps a small problem from turning into a lost week.
Sources and further reading
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