Tractors are indispensable farming tools. Until around 1900, farmers relied almost exclusively on draft animals as power sources. Horses and mules pulled all kinds of farming equipment over farmland, including reapers, plows, planters, cultivators and mowers. But around the turn of the century, the advent of gas-powered tractors started to change the face of agriculture. By the end of World War II, tractors outnumbered horses and mules combined on American farms, and now the tractor does the vast majority of labor on the farm. Purchasing a used tractor might require some work, but it's cheaper than buying a new one and is a tremendous labor saver.
Consult farming equipment suppliers near you. Many of these establishments will buy back used products for resale. If not, they'll often have bulletin boards where farmers will post listings for used equipment; take a look at the ads to see if you can find what you need.
Try using the Internet. Search for used tractors and consult one of the many websites that offer them, like USfarmer.com, tractorhouse.com, or ironresearch.com. You might also consult an auction site like ebay.com.
Find the make, model, and price range that fits your needs. Enter your zip code on the website to find a retailer or seller near you, and contact that retailer. Often, people selling used tractors will be willing to negotiate just as a used car dealer would, so don't take the listed price as anything more than a suggestion.
