If you do not know how to evaluate the tractor, most important the undercarriage, then you will be better off taking someone else with you to look it over. Even if you have to pay for someone to come out. Most likely be far cheaper to pay someone to than it would be to buy something only to find that it needs new pins and bushings or chains.
Rick
Hi rotorbob,
a list of things to start with are:
- check wear on the undercarriage: main points are pins and bushes, sprocket, idlers and rollers. For this, there is a tool (track gauge) that can be used to determine the amount of wear. There's also track frame alignment which can be checked if the machine can be moved
- does the engine run, does the machine move in all gears and steer as expected, and all controls/components work as expected including controls like the clutch/brakes and also the loader components
- leaks and/or broken items, worn/loose items, strange sounds/knocks etc.
As oldtanker wrote, a second pair of (experienced) eyes is always good, particularly if that pair of eyes can check things while you run the machine.
On it!!! tomorrow AM:
Hi rotorbob, it just occurred to me that you might have been asking for more in-depth things than the basics so please ignore my "sage" advice if that's the case : )
Post some pics and you'll get more thoughts on it.
Our channel highlights machines from the earliest Holt and Best track-type tractors, equipment from the start of Caterpillar in 1925, up to units built in the mid-1960s.
Chapter Fifteen
| Placerville, CAChapter Two
| Stradsett, Nr Downham Market. Norfolk PE33 9HA UKChapter Two
| Faulkner Farm, West Drove, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE14 7DP, UK
Antique Caterpillar
Machinery Owners Club
1115 Madison St NE # 1117
Salem, OR 97301
Terms & Privacy
Website developed by
AdCo
"I became a member recently because the wealth of knowledge here is priceless."
-Chris R