If you’re a construction professional, you’re probably familiar with the feeling. You need new construction equipment to increase efficiency and profit. But you know construction equipment is expensive and eats into your profit margin. How can you maximize your equipment investment so that you don’t lose money on the front end?
The number one reason to buy used construction machinery is to save money. Used equipment makes your whole operation financially solvent. With used general construction equipment, you can maximize profits and keep overhead and maintenance costs as low as possible.
This risk, of course, is buying a lemon. If your used equipment is unreliable, it could cost you downtime, repair costs, or machinery that only works some of the time. Avoid this expensive mistake. We’ve made a guide to help you shop for used construction equipment parts the right way.
You can buy used construction equipment for much less than when it was new. What’s more, your used equipment probably hasn’t changed much in subsequent makes and models. You get roughly the same features and quality you’d get with a newer piece of the same equipment, but the savings helps maximize profits for your fleet. The benefits of buying used construction equipment parts and machinery include:
Saving money is a big benefit of buying used equipment. But sometimes you don’t know how well the machine was maintained. So, before you buy a secondhand piece of industrial machinery, it’s crucial to inspect it first. Here’s what to look for:
The strongest indicator of how well a piece of used heavy equipment has been maintained over time — as well as its current performance capabilities and operating condition — is the quality of its fluid. Be sure to inspect the following:
If the fluid is dirty or the gaskets are not filled to sufficient levels, it’s a likely indicator that the machine has not been well maintained by its prior user. Even worse are abnormalities within the oil or coolant. Beware of any of the following symptoms:
These are symptoms of major engine problems, such as a blown head gasket, which can be very costly to repair. In some cases, the repairs could cost double the price of the total vehicle. For obvious reasons, this wouldn’t be a wise way to buy used general construction equipment.
If you’ve ever purchased a used car, then you’ve probably looked at the mileage on the odometer. Likewise, with any used construction equipment, you’ll want to know the number of hours the machinery has already been used. For a diesel-powered machine, a high number of pre-consumed operating hours could impact its value in the following ways:
Of course, the machine’s maintenance can also factor into its performance over the long run. For example, a poorly maintained machine with 2,000 prior usage hours could of worse quality than a similar but better-maintained machine with 12,000 prior hours.
Verify the reliability of the equipment. Ask to see the maintenance records of any machine you intend to purchase. This way, you’ll have a more solid idea of how the machine has been treated by prior owners. Things you can learn from such records include:
Basically, these records fill you in on the prior life of the machine. If the machine has received regular fluid changes and maintenance as needed, you could have a solid purchase on your hands. If the machine has been neglected or had major repairs, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.
One thing to remember is that maintenance records don’t always cover the entire history of a machine. If a machine has changed hands several times, you could have spotty records and it could be hard to know the true history of the machine.
On construction machinery, signs of usage can easily be found along the front, sides, rear and tires. Even though wear is inevitable, the extent and depth of such wear can indicate whether the machine has been properly maintained or has endured serious damage in prior hands.
Evidence to look for along the machine body include:
If any such evidence is pronounced, it could indicate poor maintenance. You could end up shouldering higher repair costs and less-than-optimal performance from the vehicle should you decide to add it to your fleet. While examining a vehicle, take special note of any signs of wear along the tires and in the undercarriage, both of which are costly areas when it comes to maintenance.
In order to get a sense of a vehicle’s potential, you need to power the engine and listen to the sounds and vibrations it makes. Whether the engine is cold or warm, key insights into its prior handling and upkeep can be gleaned through what you hear, feel and — most importantly — see. For example, the engine’s exhaust will indicate the overall health of the internal components. As you watch the exhaust, beware of the following symptoms:
Examining the engine’s exhaust could reveal problems with a machine that might not even have been diagnosed by the prior owner. In the case of a blown head gasket, the high cost in repairs could outweigh the vehicle’s overall value.
In a backhoe, dozer or similar machine, the condition of the driver area can tell you a lot about how the prior owner cared for the vehicle. After all, if a vehicle has been properly maintained, it has likely been put to regular use, which would necessitate a clean and comfortable driver compartment.
Things to check for in this part of an industrial vehicle include:
If all features appear to be in place, chances are the prior owner cared about comfort and functionality, which go hand-in-hand with a concern for overall performance.
When you purchase a used industrial vehicle off a large lot, there should be plenty of room to give it a test drive. Whether you’re buying a tractor, loader, or excavator, the seller should provide a pile of rubble for you to test load. As you test the vehicle, beware of the following:
If you’re unsure of how to evaluate used heavy equipment, bring a mechanic along to sit with you during the test run.
For over 100 years, Yancey has been a leading provider of new and used machinery and parts for customers in the fields of construction, mining, road building and more. We help professionals find used equipment in all over Georgia. From Atlanta, Savannah, Macon and more, we have high-quality used equipment that will save you money and improve your fleet. Whether you need drills and loaders, or backhoes and excavators, we sell high-powered machines at reasonable prices to fleets of all sizes. To learn more about our current inventory contact us today.
