While total operating hours can be an important indicator of wear and tear, it’s also important to get an accurate account of a combine’s service history. A machine with 4000 operating hours and regular upkeep is going to generally be in better shape than a machine with 2000 total hours but no maintenance. It’s best to always look to buy a used a combine that has accompanying service records and inspection logs.

As you would with a used car, it’s also important to start the used combine and watch for fluid leaks, listen for any knocks or screeching from the engine and machinery and let the operator display start up to see if any unexpected warnings show up.

If you’re looking to buy a header with your combine, be sure to check the state of the header for signs of use in rocky terrain. If the cutter bar auger or the cutter bar itself are littered with cuts, dents and scrapes it might be a sign that the combine was operated in rocky soil, which could also have led to rock ingestion – never a good sign.