There’s a reason kids often have an intense fascination with tractors — they’re powerful machines. However, in the adult world, tractors come with a lot of responsibility — in addition to a hefty price tag. Whether this is your first tractor or you’re looking to replace an old one, this article will guide you in comparing new vs. used tractors and deciding which type might be best for you.

Keep reading to discover some of the industry’s best tips for buying a tractor.

There are many different types of tractors, but certain factors will influence what kind is best for you. Consider questions such as:

The type of tractor you’ll use should be dictated by your needs and industry. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 96% or 2.2 million farms are family-owned and -operated. If you operate a small farm — around 100 acres or fewer — you really only need one tractor to suit your needs. On the other hand, if you’re working a farm that’s 200 or more acres, you’ll need more power — and depending on your operations, possibly multiple tractors.

Keeping up with your operations and ensuring you can expand your farming business — if that’s something you’re looking to do — is an essential factor in preparing to buy a tractor. Sit down with your family and staff and perform a needs assessment to determine how your operations can benefit from purchasing a new or used tractor.

If this is your first tractor, the research step should be the most important aspect of your preparations. To guide your research, consider these factors when looking at each type of tractor:

When looking into how to buy a tractor, you will inevitably come across this question. While the bargain hunter in you may immediately want to pursue used tractor options, looking at both new and used tractor buying guides is vital to understanding all your options. Fortunately, you can find everything you need to know about buying new or used tractors here.

Used tractors are a great option when they are well-maintained and have low usage hours. When approaching the used-tractor buying process, remember that tractors are not the same as cars. While a 30- to 40-year-old car might seem like an ancient relic — or be an enormously expensive classic model — a tractor that old might be just the right fit for what you need.

Considering your budget might be the most important factor in determining if a used tractor is right for you. While there is often a significant price difference between new and used models, you still need to prepare to spend upward of a thousand dollars to get a quality tractor that’s safe and reliable.

Whether you are going through a dealer or an independent seller, be sure to come to the meeting with questions, such as:

In addition to these questions, you’ll also want to ask for a complete history of the tractor. This history will give you an idea about how the tractor has been treated in its time and whether it’s a worthwhile investment. Questions to lead you in this investigation include:

The answers to these questions will help guide you in determining the tractor’s quality and whether you might have to invest more money in maintenance costs. If you count yourself as a handy do-it-yourselfer, buying a tractor that needs some work might not faze you as much, since all you’ll need to pay for is parts.

In addition to asking the seller about the owner and maintenance history, you’ll also want to perform a thorough inspection. You can do this inspection yourself if you feel confident in your ability to evaluate a used tractor, but having a licensed mechanic or another knowledgeable expert on your side is a great plan.

When performing an inspection, follow this checklist to be sure you’re covering everything needed:

Once you’ve done your visual inspection, ask if you can test drive the tractor before purchase. You likely won’t be able to get far on a tractor, so most owners should be okay with you taking a spin. If the tractor has two seats, they may even let you ride along to show you how to operate the controls.

While the tractor is running, you can check how the gears shift, if the instruments work properly, if the brakes are in good condition and how the wheels and tractor itself feel when you’re driving it.

When buying a new tractor, you will take a different approach than if you’re buying a used one. Most new tractors will come from dealers, manufacturers or retailers. Often, they’ll have a dedicated salesperson, much like in the car-buying process, who will guide you through different models. While they can navigate your decision-making process, always remember they are there to sell you their products.

Essential skills for buying a tractor or making any major purchase include paying close attention to small details, standing your ground, asking questions and looking to the future. Here are the top three tips to utilize when purchasing a new tractor:

Make sure you research into what kind of tractor will suit your needs. Coming to the showroom or retail store with an idea of what tractor you require can help narrow down your options in the decision-making process and might also help streamline the final sale.

The first aspect of research you’ll want to do concerns your own business or operations. Construct a rough profile of your needs, including:

Having a profile of your own operations will help you approach the research process with more focus. Certain tractors are better for different types of work and different working conditions.

Next, you will want to set a budget for yourself, remembering that a new tractor can be an investment akin to buying a house. Keep in mind there are often financing options or loans available if you’re looking to purchase a tractor. With a good credit score, you could qualify for long-term loans with low interest rates.

While the preparations for buying a new tractor can be extensive, showing up with the right attitude can have a great impact on your results. Because it’s their job, a salesperson may try to upsell you or convince you that you need additional products or add-ons. While their pitch may be very convincing, always remember you are ultimately in charge of your purchasing decision. No matter how hard they put the sell on you, be firm about what you need and how much you’re willing to spend.

Also, don’t be afraid to take the time to consider your options carefully. With a purchase as big as a tractor — and they can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars — you want to make sure you’ve weighed all the relevant factors and made an informed decision that will be best for you and your operations.

When investing in a tractor, consider what your future needs will be. If you have a small farm or business and don’t plan on expanding for whatever reason, you’ll want to find a tractor that perfectly suits your current conditions. However, if you do plan to grow your land or operations, choosing a tractor while having the future in mind will prove to be the best investment.

Slightly overestimating your needs can be helpful, especially since it may account for any increase in business or usage that you could experience in the future. The risk of underestimating what you will need from your tractor is that it may impinge on your ability to meet demand and keep up with your growth.

Below, explore some frequently asked questions that come with buying a new or used tractor and gain insight from their answers.

Yes, you can get financing for both new and used tractors from most retailers. If buying a used tractor from an individual seller, you could also get a loan.

Yes, new tractors often come with warranties, and some dealerships may even offer warranties on used tractors if all the parts are certified to be in working order.

Some warranties require that you only receive warranty work from certified or authorized retailers. However, if you’re not getting warranty work, always ensure the technician working on your machine has the proper training and education.

Depending on the style of your tractor hitch, you might be able to use skid steer attachments on it. If you’re considering buying a tractor, knowing this could influence your decision.

If you’re looking for some of the best skid steer or tractor attachments in the industry, check out the selection at Stinger Attachments. We offer world-class customer service and prioritize your needs to help you find the highest-quality product for your applications. To learn more about our attachments, including industry-leading grapples and tree pullers , or to get information about financing, contact our team.

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