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A Guide to Accessing Your Used Tractor’s Life Expectancy

May. 30 2022 Ownership Tips By PrairieLand Partners

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Buying a used tractor is a fantastic strategy to stretch your dollar when getting the right tools for your farming business. However, some second-hand models can be expensive, and you will want to protect your investment by getting a machine that will serve you for years. Don’t worry if you are unsure where to begin—we have you covered.

PrairieLand Partners is your local agricultural equipment dealer, and we have gathered a few tips to help you determine the life expectancy of a used tractor. Read on to learn more, and for more information, contact our dealership today.

Average Tractor Lifespans

You can measure a tractor’s lifespan in operating hours. Usually, tractors survive for about 4,000 hours, and some well-maintained machines can even last up to 10,000 hours. You will want to be more familiar with a few milestones before making any payments:

A tractor that has run for 500 hours may start appearing outdated.

Once a model has crossed 2,500 hours, some parts might need dedicated maintenance, like the hydraulic pump, clutches, and injectors.

At 5,000 hours, you will want to bring your machine to the service department for some professional servicing.

Factors That Impact a Tractor’s Lifespan

Brand

Some heavy machinery brands are more reliable than others because they build their products to last longer. You will want to invest in a model from a reputed and trustworthy brand to let it continue to perform for years.

Hour Usage

The lifespan of a tractor is influenced by the number of hours it has been in use. A 100-200 hours a year is a decent number—anything beyond that might mean your machine won’t last as long as you expect.

Maintenance History

A well-kept tractor can continue performing for years and years to come. On the other hand, a poorly maintained machine will have a reduced lifespan and may encounter more performance issues than you think. Check your used tractor’s maintenance history to ensure it was well taken care of by its previous owner.

The Work

The terrain on which you use your tractor and the kind of task you let it tackle can also influence its lifespan. A machine that does more intensive work than is usual will probably have a shorter lifespan than other comparable models.

Determining Your Used Tractor’s Life Expectancy

When exploring used tractors for sale, make sure that you ask the seller plenty of questions about your given model. You can use the information to determine the expected lifespan of your machine. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to find out:

  • If there were any previous owners.
  • What tasks it handled.
  • What terrain it moved over.
  • How it was stored.
  • If it underwent any repairs or replacements.

Ideally, you will want to understand more about your second-hand machine’s history, including maintenance and service records. This will help you determine how long you can use it before going for an upgrade.

We hope you find this guide handy when judging your used tractor’s life expectancy. If you have more questions or are still looking for a good quality used tractor, contact PrairieLand Partners. We have an impressive collection of pre-owned John Deere® tractors for sale, and our friendly staff can help you pick the perfect machine for you. We have dealerships throughout Kansas, and we can’t wait to assist you.