If old equipment of most businesses fails, they prefer to bring in new equipment. However, sometimes you may prefer to buy used equipment. Purchasing used equipment is time-consuming, even though it is not different from making a new purchase. Buying experience, price, and quality are some of the things you might want to consider when looking for used equipment.
Remember the following six points if you want to purchase used equipment.
Your Exact Requirements
Before making your final decision, consider the capabilities, attachments, model, and size of the equipment. Do proper research, take a look at the surplus database, since there are several options that can suit your needs. If the equipment worked for a previous user of the equipment, do not assume it will work for you too. To make an informed decision, analyze your requirements carefully.
Inspect Equipment History
The history of the equipment is a critical thing to consider before purchasing used equipment. Make sure the equipment is not stolen and there are no liens against it. Check the equipment’s title and keep in mind that if the equipment is not paid in full, the seller cannot transfer the ownership of the equipment to the buyer.
To know that there are no liens, make sure there is necessary documentation proving it. To figure out if the equipment has liens against them or not, you can call your back to identify the company that can help you figure it out or just do an online search. Avoid receiving stolen goods by shopping with someone you trust. Write down the PIN (product identification number) or the serial of the machine and check with a service dealing with the same or call the police department.
Check the Fluids
Coolant, hydraulic fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, etc. are some of the fluids you should check. To know how well the equipment was maintained over time and to get an insight into the present condition of the equipment, analyze the fluids.
If the fluids are dirty or low, it indicates the previous owner did keep up with the standard maintenance. If there is water in the engine oil, it can be a clear sign of a major and critical issue.
Operating Hours of Equipment
You must know how long the construction equipment was operated for. It is a good place to start, even though it might not show the exact condition of the equipment. Some equipment are pushing their upper limits, so it is a good idea to stay away from them. But do a quick cost/benefit calculation if you are still keen on buying it. Doing cost/benefit calculation helps you determine if the money you are saving on a used machine is worth the additional cost of taking care of the equipment that will obviously break down more often.
Make sure the previous owner performed regular maintenance on the equipment. A machine that has just 1,000 operating hours and has not been maintained well is a bad buy when compared to a well-maintained machine with over 10,000 hours.
Signs of Wear and Tear
It is very common for used equipment to have some signs of wear and tear. That is why you must ensure the damage is not major. Check for damage, rust, hairline cracks that can lead to a major machine breakdown in the future.
Doing major repairs to the heavy construction equipment can render the purchase useless since doing major repairs is very expensive and it can lead to increased downtime and you may end up completely discarding the equipment.
