Best Tips for Buying Used Heavy Equipment

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DanMichaels2881

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Hi everyone!

I’m looking into buying used heavy equipment to save some money, but I want to make sure I don’t end up with a machine that has hidden issues. What are the most important things to check before buying?

Do you recommend buying from dealerships, auctions, or private sellers? Also, how do you determine if the price is fair, and are there red flags to watch out for? Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful!
 
Good question! Biggest things for me are checking maintenance records, looking for signs of leaks or weld repairs, and actually running the machine to see how it feels. Dealerships usually cost more but can offer some peace of mind, while auctions and private sellers can be a gamble. Have you narrowed down what type of equipment you're looking for?
 
Great points! I’d also suggest bringing a mechanic or someone experienced to inspect it if you’re not 100% confident. A machine might look good on the surface but have hidden wear. Also, checking for excessive play in the pins and bushings can tell you a lot. What kind of work are you planning to use it for?
 
Great advice from everyone! I’d add that getting a fluid analysis can help spot internal issues that aren’t obvious from just looking at the machine. Also, checking the hours is important, but how the equipment was used matters just as much. Are you leaning toward any specific brands or models?
 
Definitely test it out and check the maintenance records, with those two things alone can save you from a ton of regret later. And yeah, auctions can be tempting, but if you’re new to it, a dealer might be worth the extra peace of mind.
 
On high-dollar, really large purchases, I know a number of people who will only buy if they put their own eyes on it.

Instead of over estimating your own evaluation though, it might be better to pay an OEM tech to go out and do a thorough inspection. They'll have the diagnostic tools to find codes that might've been hidden. If there's repairs needed they can produce an accurate quote. And with a thorough inspection, you can sometimes find a 3rd party warranty provider if you want extended coverage.
 
Be weary of too good to be true or even really competitive listing prices on machines from areas that just had flooding. Saw a of of these pop up in Houston after Harvey and had a buddy get burned. I'd imagine last year in North Carolina and Florida there were a number of water damaged machines on Facebook or Craigslist.
 
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