What to Look for When Inspecting Used Equipment

What to Look for When Inspecting Used Equipment

Most people look at used construction equipment as a great way to save money. It is true that there is some great value out there, but it’s important to know what to examine to avoid getting ripped off. There are no guarantees with used machines, so it’s up to people being knowledgeable before parting with money.

When making a used purchase, consider the following:

Who has owned the machine, and what did they use it for?

Both of these questions are extremely important to have answered to feel confident about buying a used piece of equipment. For starters, it’s important to know just how used the machine is. If there has been just one owner, all the questions can be answered by the person selling it. If they purchased it used, the history of the machine is a little murkier.

Certain uses are also much more likely to cause corrosion. Always look for corrosion in common areas such as under fenders, rims, frames and more. Wear and tear is usually a little easier to spot, but corrosion is something that can be a little hidden if it is not too bad.

Examine the tires

It might not be that expensive to replace tires on a machine, but they can tell a lot about what it has gone through over the years. A big red flag is if the tires are in terrible shape, or if they have a very weird wear pattern. This means that it was heavily used, and maybe not properly. It could be a sign of bigger issues.

Tires that have very little wear and tear on them is a good sign, because it means it was either gently used, or the owner took the time to keep up-to-date with replacing tires.

Transmission and engine maintenance

If something goes wrong with the transmission or engine early on, that great deal on used equipment is going down the tubes right away. It’s a very costly expense, and one that most people don’t want to deal with.

Transmissions should last for about 8000 hours of use, but things can go wrong before that. Do a standard check on the transmission for any type of leaks, shifting issues or any other small malfunctions. These could all be signs that something else could happen down the road sooner rather than later.

With the engine, smaller issues like coolant seeping into the water and metal in the oil can start to pop up as it ages. Look to see if anything needs replaced with the engine, and that it passes the sound test. There is never a guarantee that an engine won’t take a nose dive out of nowhere, but usually there are some warning signs before that happens.

Not sure on how to inspect a machine? Bring assistance

Doing a thorough inspection on used equipment might be a bit overwhelming for some people, especially if they have never shopped in this way before. Bringing an expert to take a look at used equipment is a great option for those who want to buy with a little more confidence.

Most people have a friend who understands machines well, and if that’s the case, buy them lunch and have them give their expert opinion. Another option is to hire somebody, and that will usually still cost less than buying brand new.

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is

Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever for scammers to try to pull a fast one on people looking for used anything. If the deal sounds too good to be true, most likely it is. Proceed with caution, but by knowing what to look for, there is some significant money to be saved.

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