3 Costly Mistakes I Made Buying a Used Harogator (And How to Avoid Them)
I recently picked up an older Harogator (also called a Harrow Gator) to level some fields before fall tillage. It looked like a solid deal… until I actually tried to use it. What followed was a string of expensive lessons that could have been avoided with a better pre-purchase inspection.
Here are the three biggest mistakes I made when buying this used Harogator, plus exactly what I had to fix (and spend) to get it field-ready.
Mistake #1: Missing a Bent Crossmember (Because the Tongue Was Up)
The crossmember (some call it the tongue support or A-frame brace) connects the hitch to the main frame and lets the unit raise and lower.
When I went to look at it, the seller had the tongue jacked up in transport position—which conveniently hid a noticeable bend in the crossmember. As a first-time Harogator buyer, I didn’t know to lower it and check underneath.
Why it matters: A bent crossmember messes up the lift geometry and can cause uneven operation or frame stress.
Fix: Used replacement crossmembers are basically nonexistent (you might as well buy another whole machine). I straightened mine as best I could, reinforced it, and moved on. Lesson: always lower the tongue all the way and crawl underneath with a level.
Mistake #2: “I’ll Only Use It Once” – Keeping the Old Hydraulic Cylinder and Hoses
The original cylinder and hoses looked rough—cracked hoses, pitted rod, rust everywhere. My logic? “I only need to level a couple fields one time. I’ll baby it.”
Reality: the first time we put real pressure on it, the seals blew and oil sprayed everywhere.
Lesson learned: Old hydraulics almost never survive “one more season.” Plan on new ones from day one if they’ve been sitting outside for years.
What I installed:
- New 2" × 10" hydraulic cylinder
- New hoses and fittings Total added cost: ~$350–400 (still cheaper than being stuck in the middle of a field).
Mistake #3: Ignoring Rusty Rims and Old Tires
It showed up with all twotires… sort of. One was flat when I bought it, but the seller aired it up and it held long enough to load.
A week later: inflate → flat in an hour. No nails. Finally discovered severe rust around the valve-stem hole was slicing the stem.
Because these are old 6-bolt implement rims, patching wasn’t a long-term option. I replaced both rims on that side, plus new tires and tubes, so I wouldn’t have to fight it again.
Pro tip: Even if the tires “look okay,” spin every wheel and inspect the bead area and valve-stem base closely for rust.
The Fix-It Day Recap
- Lived with/reinforced the slightly bent crossmember
- New 2" × 10" hydraulic cylinder + hoses
- Two new rims, tires, and tubes
- Cleaned and re-greased all two-wheel hubs
Total extra cost due to poor inspection: easily $800–$1,000 on top of the purchase price.
Final Test – It Works Like a Champ!
Hitched it up, ran the new hydraulics, and took it to the field. Lifted perfectly, leveled beautifully, no flats or blown hoses. Success—at last.
My Advice If You’re Shopping for a Used Harogator / Harrow Gator
- Lower the tongue all the way and inspect the crossmember for bends.
- Budget for new hydraulics unless they look brand-new.
- Spin every wheel and check rims closely for rust around the bead and valve stem.
- Bring a good flashlight, get dirty, and take your time—even if the seller is hovering.
Learn from my wallet so you don’t have to.
Have you ever bought a “steal” that turned into a money pit? Drop your used-implement horror stories below—I could use the therapy!