With ever tightening margins and increased competitiveness in the Construction, Garden and Forestry industries, it is now common place for buyers to save money on the everyday rising costs of equipment by purchasing second-hand machinery. However buying used equipment has its risks and is an activity you need to approach sensibly; however if you do approach it with caution great bargains can be found.
It is always sensible particularly when new holland service manual looking to buy used machinery to choose a well recognized and respected brand, these would include ones discomfort heard of like, John Deere, JCB, Caterpillar, New Netherlands, Massey Ferguson and Claas Combines, and for smaller machines like mini diggers and compact tractors well-known manufactures would include Kubota or Kia who make superb mowers and ATV machines.
Buying a used but well-respected brand ensures that the spare parts will be much easier to get hold of when you get the inevitable breakdown and as we all know when the machine is down it can’t enable you to get money, also the well-respected brands have reputations the doctor has to uphold so they really will work hard to build quality machines which will last for many years if sorted correctly. The other advantage to buying a good brand is the fact that accounting allowance costs will be kept to a minimum therefore enabling you to get a better price when it is your turn to sell it, this in the long run could actually save you money.
When you initially see the equipment the first destination for a look is underneath. Have a look to see if there are any serious oil water leaks. Some older machines will have the odd drip which might mean the piece of equipment you are thinking about may need a bit of a transmission fluid top up or back axle oil top up but if it is any more than the odd drip then you are well advised to stay away from it and look elsewhere. Have a look on the top of the cab to check for scuff marks especially with tractors, combines and used “farm” machinery that may have been a bit too towards the low side of a tree. Have a look in the cab to check the condition and wear around the seat and controls.
If buying from a dealer you should ask where it originated in and if the prior owner used it with care, serviced it regularly and what work it absolutely was subjected to, if you buy straight from the previous user have a look at his site or yard and see if it is neat and tidy or a real mess. If the site or farm is in a multitude then he probably did not look after or service the apparatus completely. Once you have given the equipment a good look the next phase is to feel the engine and check it is cold to make sure you see and hear the engine start from cold, then check the oil using the dip stick, is it really black and thick or is it at the right level?
Now it is time to insert the key and start the equipment. It should begin in a lively fashion with minimal turns of the engine. The engine must sound smooth and all the functions and hydraulics must work correctly with no hydraulic oil water leaks or strange industrial noise when you use the controls. Finally take the equipment for a drive and make sure the clutch equipment and braking systems will work. All outside lights should be tested and possibly the most important function of all, check the air conditioning!!