Buying Second Hand Machines

  1. Do Proper Research

A second-hand machine is not only an expensive asset. It is also a depreciating asset. It is, therefore, essential to know your real needs before you invest in a second-hand machine.

If your second-hand machine will stay idle for several months, you can rent the machine. It is much cheaper to rent it. Do not buy a machine you will not use regularly. If you, therefore, plan to use your machine regularly, you can purchase the machine.

It is best to know the type of machine you need. Therefore, research the different machines on the market. You can compare the machines and models of multiple manufacturers. Check the capabilities of these machines.

It is also important to check the ease of service, maintenance schedule, and the attachments of the machine before buying.

  1. Check the Reputation of the Seller

It is important to buy the machine from a trusted seller or source like Surplus.net. You can read the reviews of these sellers on the internet to know their reputation. You can even contact your industry contacts to know the reputation of potential sellers. Find out how many years they have been selling second-hand machines.

If possible, you can talk to their buyers. Most sellers will give you their customer references. You can talk to their customer references to make sure you are dealing with a trusted seller.

Once you find a trustworthy seller, you can visit www.ppsr.com.au to check the personal property securities. Do not sign the contract before checking this.

  1. Check the Maintenance History

Checking the maintenance history of the second-hand machine can reduce your downtime and unplanned repairs. It is, therefore, essential to ask the seller for documentation, highlighting the maintenance history of the machine.

The documentation can help you know if the machine needs major repairs. If the machine sustained too much damage or needs major repairs, do not buy that machine.

Some sellers rush to sell their machines since they cannot afford to maintain them. If the machine requires major service, you can decide whether to buy the machine or not. You can, however, use this information to get a discount. The seller can reduce the asking price since their machine needs servicing.

  1. Check the Operating Hours

You can use the operating hours of the machine to determine the value of the second-hand machine. It is easy to check the operating hours on modern machines since active hours are logged on the onboard computers. It is, however, tricky to check the operating hours of the older machines.

Fortunately, the seller can estimate the operating hours of their old machines. Knowing the operating hours can help you know the machine’s remaining lifespan. It is safer to choose a well-maintained second-hand machine. If the seller did not maintain the machine properly, it will cost you more money to use the machine.

  1. Check the Key Indicators

It is best to hire a qualified professional to thoroughly check the second-hand machine before you purchase it. Hiring a professional can save you time and money.

You can, however, check the basic indicators by yourself. Checking these key indicators can help you know the condition of the machine.

Here are the basic key indicators to check before choosing a second-hand machine:

Fluids – If the fluids are low or dirty, it means the seller did not maintain the machine properly. Also, check the state of the coolant, transmission fluid, engine oil, and hydraulic fluid.

Tires and Brakes – Check if they are still safe and functional.

Bushings and Pins – If the pins are loose or bushings are poor, it means poor maintenance. It will, therefore, cost you more money to use the second-hand machine.

Cracks or Rust – If there are cracks and rust on the second-hand machine, they can be a sign of structural defects.

Welding – Welding can indicate the weaknesses of the second-hand machine.

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