When it comes to buying used farm equipment, the goal is always to get high-quality and reliable products at a good price. It might seem better to go for the cheapest deals around, however, one of the most important things to consider is whether you are getting actual value from your purchased item.
Without careful consideration, you risk ending up with a piece of farming equipment that actually costs you more than you would have if you’d have just bought a new one – either in the short term or long term. Having a checklist detailing all the important things to look out for in used farm equipment will help you ensure that you are making the right purchasing decision.
In this article, we have provided some expert tips for buying used farm equipment. Using these tips, you will be able to get better quality products at a great price.
Check the condition of the equipment
Check all the available features
Consider equipment with more features
Consider the viability of the equipment
Compare different brands
Do some thorough research
Check the condition of the equipment
It is always important to ensure that the machine you are investing in is in acceptable condition before finalizing the purchase. Thus, you need to thoroughly check for any problems with major components including mechanical issues, cracks, corrosion, and structural problems.
You also need to check items for obsolescence. What this means is that if a certain piece of equipment cannot be upgraded, there should be a difference in the price. Where possible, seek to have a detailed inspection done on the machine as this helps to reveal any hidden internal issues.
Check all the available features
It should go without saying that any farm equipment you are looking to buy should have all of the features that you need. In most cases, it is usually difficult to find a piece of machinery that meets all your needs and requirements, with some just having half the features you need.
For instance, it is crucial that you check the available attachments since these will determine how the tractor can be used and what it can be used for, thus helping you to determine how useful it will be on your farm. So, before making a purchase, you need to ensure that the machine is equipped with all the necessary features needed to effectively run your farm.
Consider equipment with more features
While it might not initially make sense to buy a piece of equipment that has more features than you need, doing so might actually prove to be a smart move. However, it should go without saying that you shouldn’t go for anything with a lot of unnecessary features. A good choice is an item with one or two very popular and valued features that you don’t really need. In this case, you might consider buying it anyway.
Consider the viability of the equipment
Besides checking the equipment’s condition and the various features it offers, you also need to consider the viability of owning that piece of equipment. For instance, is there enough storage? Will you be able to easily get it to the farm? What is the cost of maintaining it? And what types of equipment is it suitable for?
Consider consulting local dealers to help you in making a more informed decision. You need to ensure that if you purchase a product from a certain brand, there the company has dealers in your local area. This way, you won’t have to struggle to find spare parts. You also need to ensure that you have the requisite type and category of farm insurance for the equipment that you buy.
Compare different brands
Though the dealers in your local area will heavily influence the brands you choose, it isn’t worth it to just stick with one brand for the sake of it. The point is to maximize value for your money. There is always that one brand that offers the exact item you need but at a lower price.
By comparing brands, you can realize significant savings. However, this only works, if the other brand passes the necessary items in your checklist including the condition and available features.
Do some thorough research
Before buying a second-hand piece of equipment from the surplus database, it will help to do some research on the equipment and find out what its current market value is in different brands and locations. Consider checking the going price of certain items on the internet and comparing them against the rate that they for at the used equipment auctions. At the end of the day, doing your research will help you to avoid spending more money on an item than it is actually worth and also identify the best deals. This way, you will make the most of your hard-earned money. The last thing you want is to buy a piece of equipment for some big cash only to find out you could have gotten it at a much cheaper elsewhere. This is why doing thorough research is important
