This is a major purchase for any farm operation. I hope to cover the major points in helping you make a smart equipment investment. This is just an intro on the BIG issues so questions welcome !
Why do you need the tractor?
What chores or work do you need this equipment to accomplish?
Every village will have someone who also offers tractor work and will either charge (an average) of 30E/Hour or you can negotiate a fixed price.
If you still need a tractor for daily chores. Defining your chores will also help you decide the size (HP/CV) (4×2 or 4×4) and the extras you may need including a trailer, Bushhog (Weeding Capinator) or Charrua Plow
NEW – A new tractor is shiny with lots of levers but ask yourself, “Do I need a new tractor to build my agribusiness.” A new tractor will come with a full 1 year warranty and then repairs will be your responsibility. The biggest issues with many tractors are now electric, not mechanical.
USED – Dealers sell used tractors and will typically offer a limited guarantee of 3-6 months on major engine parts. If you buy from a dealer, they can offer you an invoice with written terms. Equally important, if you need to drive your tractor on the road, buying from a dealer may be the best option.
MAKE SURE YOUR AGREEMENT IS IN WRITING – You can also buy from a private seller but be cautious! There are good and honest people selling their tractors. There are also dishonest people too!
BE SMART – TAKE YOUR TIME – NEGOTIATE!
INSPECTION – When viewing any used tractor, my TOP checklist is:
Body, tires and overall appearance. A tractor that looks well-maintained usually has been well-maintained but don’t be fooled by a nice paint job. At the same time, a lot of rust on the outside can be a BIG warning sign of poor maintenance.
Smell the Oil you don’t want to smell antifreeze! Jet black oil hasn’t been changed and means poor maintenance.
Fuel Tank – Take the cap off and look inside. You don’t want to see rust.
Articulation Point Engine Compartment Is it clean? Cab (for larger tractors and nice to have for rainy seasons)
PTO (Power Take-Off) shaft. Hydraulic power – this is the mechanism that lifts stuff in the front (front loader) or back. Start by looking for any leaks and test them when you drive the tractor.
TURN IT ON – Does it turnover easily and smoke on start up and stay dark ? Burning off oil can be ok but dark smoke is a warning sign
DRIVE The Tractor
BRAKES – do they work ? In older models, this can be a really expensive repair
BUDGET – This is a hard one. A new, basic tractor from China or Korea can cost your 10,000+ Euro with no equipment. The prices only go up from there! I just priced a 40HP (HP) with cab, trailer and bush hog with an estimated price of 34,000. If you plan to use a tractor to generate secondary income, this could still be a smart investment.
USED tractors retain a lot of value in Portugal. I have found many used tractors are still overpriced so don’t be afraid to negotiate.
FINANCE Recently I looked at buying a new tractor. I sat down with a big dealer who promised me a 0% loan deal but with BIG strings ! A 0% loan required a 30%+ deposit. Even with a 20% deposit, the final deal was a 3% interest loan paying over 8 years and mandatory insurance costing 3 X the market rate. It wasn’t a great deal AGAIN, take your time… Watch the marketplace including Facebook marketplace and groups, visit different machines and be ready to buy when you find the right tractor.
And if you are close to the Spanish border, look there too !
Happy Tractor Shopping!
Many thanks for making this series to Rachel WIKID Farms