How do I protect myself when purchasing a compact

I am about ready to purchase a new John Deere compact tractor, loader, and snowblower from a machinery dealer about 50 miles from where I live. The tractor is a 2022 with only .5 hours. My concern is how do I protect myself that I am not buying something that has a lien on it and that I get ownership of it after I pay for it?

The person that has this tractor is a farmer and also has other equipment for sale. He also has a business name but he is not a franchised JD dealer. I have not asked him how it is that he has a new tractor from JD with only .5 hours.

I just don’t want to pay for this and a few weeks down the road have someone pull into my place and load it up because of a lien or some other problem.

Get a signed bill of sale.

I've not bought a new tractor, they don't have a title? Maybe you could run the VIN through a title office or at a JD dealer?

Check out the seller if possible. Also run the numbers where ever you can just to make sure it isn't stolen. Ask the seller outright where it came from and check that out.

Take the VIN to a JD dealer and ask about warranty. They will run the numbers for you and know if there was a loan

Go elsewhere. Sounds fishy.
Maybe a new hour meter.
John Deere is problematic, off in their own world, and too expensive.

What he said.

Get a manly blue one instead!!