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Since you already own an "old" tractor, you probably know most of what to look for in evaluating this one - but it might pay to review the articles on this subject in "Article Archives" on the left side of the screen. Always a good idea to look at the plugs, if you're serious enough and the owner will let you. The others have hit the major weak spots: steering and T/A. These utilities carry a lot of weight on the front, and steering can be really hard. The drag links on my 300U were reinforced somewhere along the line, probably indicating some earlier ones got bent up from the strain. I found a great deal of improvement in steering by greasing and greasing and greasing the steering linkages. Make sure there's fluid in the steering gearbox (mine was empty when I got the tractor, and I hadn't been smart enough to check it). On the sluggish hydraulics (your earlier question): check to make sure the reservoir is full (little dip stick on fill plug under seat should be full to the mark) and take a look at the fluid (lots of foam and/or milky look indicates water contamination, and probably poor maintenance of the tractor in general). The hydraulics systems on these tractors are pretty good, and should be capable of lifting the rear end off the ground if in good shape. Might also try lifting something fairly heavy into the air and seeing how long it takes to bleed down. All three 300Us I looked at had some bleed down - control valve seems to wear and not get fixed. Value in Alabama of a "good" 350U? Maybe $3000? If you were to offer that much out here (Denver area), it would be sold to someone else, but tractors cost more in this area than back east. Good luck. These are good tractors, if you get one that's had reasonable care. Should pull twice what your 8N does, with room to spare.
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