FANTASTIC 4000!

Buying a tractor is always an exciting thing to do, doubly so if it’s your first one. But there are several important, practical considerations that the wise buyer should always bear in mind. It’s all too easy to get carried away in the process, to get ‘blinded’ by your excitement and desire to buy, and to forget about the basics as you get thoroughly caught up in the prospect of all that fun you’re going to have with your new machine.

“Our subject here could very well be the pick of the bunch for the would-be, first-time classic tractor buyer”

However, as with buying anything expensive, the best purchases are made by those who remain able to keep their feet on the ground, and their enthusiasm in check. The practicalities of what you’re about to do should stay uppermost in your mind, and you need to be sure about why you want the tractor, where you’re going to keep it, how you’re going to look after it and what you’re going to do with it.

Which model?

Choosing the right model is obviously important, on many levels. If you’re a ‘practical’ person, then an older machine that’ll require higher levels of maintenance and mechanical input might be a good fit. But, if you’re new to the old tractor scene and have limited workshop skills, then something newer – that’ll hopefully be more reliable and easier to live with – could well be the smarter option.

Size always matters, too! ‘Beginners’ are best advised to pick a model from the smaller end of the scale, simply because it’ll be easier to handle, more convenient to garage and not such a daunting prospect to transport around. Don’t forget that, if you have visions of parading your tractor in the show ring, attending ‘working days’ or sampling the strangely addictive pleasures of competition ploughing, then you’ll need to trailer the machine