Buying a tractor, new or second-hand, is a bigger call than most people expect. Tractor rollover and runover incidents are still among the leading causes of death and injury on farms, so getting the purchase right matters as much as getting the price right.

The Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia, backed by WorkSafe Victoria, has put together a Tractor Buying Guide that walks through exactly what to check before you hand over money. We think it’s worth a read for anyone in Northern Rivers and Northern NSW looking at a new or used machine.

First impressions count, but they’re not the whole story. Faded paint and a few scratches are normal wear. A tractor with low hours that looks like it’s been left in a paddock for a decade is a different problem. The guide recommends running the machine from a cold start, checking exhaust colour and listening for knocking before anything else.

Fit for purpose is next. Horsepower, weight, linkage capacity, hydraulics and PTO options all need to match the job, whether that’s general property work, front-end loader duties or running tillage gear. Axle loading and the machine’s ability to fit through gateways and sheds matter too.

Rollover Protection Structures are non-negotiable. Any tractor made after July 1981 needs an approved ROPS fitted, and tractor rollovers remain one of the biggest causes of farm injury and death. The guide also covers owner’s manuals, decals, warranty terms, chassis and tyre condition, wiring and plumbing, cab fit-out, rear linkages, PTO guarding, front-end loaders, engine condition and exhaust emissions standards.

There’s a full pre-purchase checklist at the back covering all fourteen areas, from first impressions through to exhaust emissions compliance. It’s a solid document to print out and take with you to an inspection.

Want to go through it yourself? Download the full Tractor Buying Guide here and take it with you to your next inspection.

Buying through an authorised dealer with local parts and service backup takes a lot of this risk off the table from the start. At Ongmac Trading we’ve been supplying and servicing Kubota tractors across Northern Rivers, Northern NSW, Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads since 1984, and our team can walk you through exactly what to look for on any machine, new or used.

Get in touch on 02 6621 5981 to talk to someone who knows the range.