How Many Operating Hours Are Too Many for Used Equipment?

[Grab_a_Buck]

I'm shopping for used heavy equipment and keep wondering how many operating hours are considered too high. I know it depends on the machine type, maintenance history, and previous use, but is there a general limit you try not to exceed? Have you bought a high-hour machine that turned out to be a great investment, or did it end up costing more in repairs? What hour range do you personally look for when buying used equipment?

 

[GC_Maven]

I've seen some high-hour machines at Ritchie Bros. that were still solid buys, it really comes down to maintenance records and overall condition more than the hour meter alone.

 

[George]

I'd focus more on maintenance history than just hours.

 

[Big_Iron]

Honestly, there isn’t really a magic hour number where a machine suddenly becomes “too old.” A well-maintained 10,000-hour machine can be a better buy than a neglected 5,000-hour one. I’d look at service records, undercarriage/tires, hydraulics, major component history, and how hard the machine was worked. Hours tell you the story, but condition tells you how the story ends.

 

[Gryks Machines]

I usually look at maintenance history first, but I prefer machines with lower hours if the price is right.