Fill the bucket with dirt, lift it and let it sit give it 5 minutes if it stays put, good then put the bucket on the ground and lift the front of the machine. let it sit for 5 minutes if the machine stays up good. While it is up in the front check the front wheel slop. that will check out your chain slop. . now drop the machine on all 4 tires and let it rest. if it starts crawling on its own front or backwards it could be bad linkage on the adjustments for crawl. I say this because anyone selling it would make these minor adjustments before trying to sell it.. now push some dirt with it, then backdrag some dirt with it, If it pushes and pulls fine. after it has run for 15 to 20 minutes, open the back and make sure it isn't super hot. now move the machine over to a clean area of ground ,park it , leave it runnig and after 15 minutes move it away and check to see how much oil it left on the ground. As far as the starter goes shut it off several times and restart it several times. if the starter is bad it will be sure to crap out on the 3rd or 4th time. the new tire mixed in with 3 50% worn ones might cause a little howling from the chain case. I would still try to buy this machine for about $3000.00. that is if it passes all the run tests. I have purchaced and restored many,many skid steers in the past 20 years. What I pay for them ,I in most cases' put the same amount back into them and sold them for twice the investment amount. I always refered to them as doublers. . I have bought and re-sold skid steers with over 15,000 hrs on them.They seem to run forever if you maintain them and use them right.You can find some good used skid steers out ther right now for good money , but it takes hours and hours to go check them out. Don't be shy about making offers on used equipment , but make firm cash offers and you will end up buying them . Good luck with your 1st skid steer..