What to Look For When Buying a Used Tractor

Are you shopping for an old tractor? In this video, I walk you step-by-step through what to look for when buying a used tractor. I go through the simple checks that can be performed when buying both from a private owner and at auction: assessing the health of the engine, transmission, hydraulic system, PTO, and brakes. Looking for indicators of how well the tractor was cared for, and what problems may be lurking unseen in a tractor that is not properly checked out. There are clear indicators of major mechanical problems that do not require much mechanical expertise to see, and there are common problems that are relatively cheap to fix; I will teach you the difference between the two. Buying an old tractor can be a cheap alternative to buying new, but you have to do your homework first!

[bonvillaingardens]

Dear Mr. Larson,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Jeff Stephens, and I’m writing to thank you for all the wonderful videos you share on Just a Few Acres. Your work has been both entertaining and immensely helpful, especially the ones featuring your projects on the IH 56 series tractors.
My grandfather and I began working on his 1968 856 together, and your videos became an invaluable reference for us. We loved watching them, learning from your expertise, and sharing conversations about tractors sparked by your content. These are memories I will treasure forever.
Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away this past June, and my family has decided to sell his farm. However, I’ve made it my mission to carry on his legacy. Using my Veteran's benefits, I’m purchasing his homestead and embarking on a journey to restore the tractors, equipment, and farm itself. It’s a bittersweet but meaningful path, and your videos have already played a role in giving me the knowledge and motivation to move forward.
As I take this next step, I wanted to express my gratitude to those who have helped along the way. Your videos were not just instructional, they became a bonding experience with my grandfather and a source of inspiration for me. Thank you for sharing your expertise and passion with your viewers.
I also wanted to share a little about my current project, Bonvillain Gardens, here in Abbeville, Louisiana. It’s a sustainable farming initiative I’m working to establish, blending conservation, farming, and community. It’s an exciting venture that feels like an extension of the values my grandfather passed down to me.
Thank you again for all you do, and for being a part of the memories I hold dear with my grandfather. I look forward to continuing to watch and learn from your content as I move forward on this journey.

Best regards,

Jeff Stephens
Bonvillain Gardens L3C
Abbeville, LA

[davidcrosby]

An old mechanic from ww2 era taught me that you can hear internal engine sounds by sticking the handle of a large screwdriver in your ear and then resting the other end on the valve cover, cylinders, case, ect. It really works to pinpoint where an abnormal sound is coming from and maybe hear something you didn't before.

[keithnavarro]

Always a good idea to take a trusted, experienced friend or mentor along.

[tomballard]

When you buy an old tractor your buying a hobby, just like old cars. Watching your videos has shown me that sometimes it better to buy a newer tractor .

[GaryHagerman-nl]

Love your very informative videos. I used to live on a farm in central PA, Near Milton. We farmed about 300 acres on a dairy farm and dad started out with the same tractors you have. Super C, an H, and an M. Upgraded to a 706 gas, then a 826 diesel. Eventually retired the H and got a450 gas to handle the large round bales. 7 generation farm. I love all the maintenance and repairs you do. We never had enough time or place to do them. I admire the way you farm your animals. The last was keeping cows in " what we called a barnyard". I agree, it does keep the cows warmer and happier. Keep up the great work. Giving hope to the disappearing small farmer. Give warmest reguards to your whole family, especially your amazing wife.

[packatk]

More of this... this is so informative and interesting. Did you hear about the wooden tractor? It had wooden wheels, wooden engine, wooden transmission and wooden work... can't wait for more in this series.

[dougssemi-retiredlife]

From everything you just talked about I can see where you're passion is and it's a good thing that you quit being an architect and started going for your passion because that's what life's all about if you're not happy what good was life

[wesleycallison]

Something to watch out for on farmalls is under the rear axle. If there's a crack or patch under the bull gear it probably has a ball bearing or gear tooth floating around which can get pinched between the bull gear and the bottom of the housing and break it out. Very hard to repair. Steer clear.

[mcallahan]

Like they say, if your not leaking hydraulic fluid then your out of hydraulic fluid.

[frankcadillac]

Very good advice Pete. Most old tractors are gravity feed for the gas. Its good form to have a shutoff under the fuel tank shut it off after use, you don't want gas dripping if the float doesn't seal. Unless you use the tractor often shut the fuel and run the carb. dry

[denniskalivoda]

Pete, I am glad that I have run on to you. Sure enjoy every video you have produced. Farmall tractors are a soft spot in my life. I purchased a 1941-M ( used) back in 1956 while in high school. My dad had one back in my younger years ( 1947). I worked horses pressing corn at the age of about 8-9 while dad planted corn. Will keep this short as I am 81 from Kansas and sometimes raddle on to much. Sure enjoy your life on the farm

[jeffanderlik]

I was glad to see the correct decals on that '40 H. I just had Dad's '41 H gone through, literally from front to rear. I didn't have time to do it myself (I work full time off the farm) and the shop fixed lots of things I probably wouldn't have checked. I still have about 5 hours left for break-in, and she'll be ready for another 80 years. I pushed snow with her all winter.

[richardanderson]

As a rough rule of thumb, I believe you get the best prices at an auction, but you get the best deals from owners. The vintage tractor market is largely small farmers and collectors that have an attachment to the machines. While they may gloss over a tractor's faults, most are more honest than average and want to see their tractor remain in use....and they often throw in a whole lot of spares that you'll never see at an auction.

[michaeldunagan]

Outstanding advice.

Especially the "pulling a plow all its life". It reminds me to the proverb to "never buy a semi-tractor that hauled steel."

[thomaspickar]

I I bought a 1953 Minneapolis Moline UB( similar to a Farmall super m) for 240 bucks had a junk old trip bucket on it, the manifold rusted-out and a bad radiator. $300 in manifold and radiator, a new coil that was laying around the shop, spark plug wires, spark plugs, carb clean, and my grandpa's magical touch for timing I've got a tractor that runs smoother than smooth.
Some of them tractors are gems covered in dirt and Moss but sometimes they're not. When buying a non-running tractor stuck or unstuck is very important.

[mattcraztex]

I feel Like a just learned 80 Years of tractor maintenance and knowledge. I Love these old Farmalls more then anything else. Back when muscle tractors were the pride of the field and were built to work for decades to come.

[jblfd]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience with all who venture to your channel. Regardless of whether it's a seasoned proprietor or a newbie such as myself, you present things in a way that is unbiased of the listener's background experiences. That is the true definition of a good teacher.

[KingJamesBibleBeliever-defy]

If I had a farm I'd want to be as knowledgeable about the farm as Pete! love you buddy keep teaching me! If I lived close enough your meat and eggs would be in my freezer/frig.

[jamesmorrison]

Great video Pete good advise. I wouldn't recommend someone buy a older tractor if they have no experience or should I say dont have a good mechanical ability. If they have to send into a shop for everything it will cost them to much. Enjoyed watching thanks. Have a good day.

[horsebee]

The color of the exhaust smoke can tell you a lot about an engine as well such as an engine that has blue smoke on rev up is a sure sign of worn rings and black smoke is unburnt fuel which is a sign of running ritch. Start looking for a blocked air filter or a worn carb and on a diesel it may indicate bad injectors or a worn pump.