One of the most difficult decisions is whether to invest in new or used equipment. While you should always consider your options based on your specific situation and needs, here are a few tips to help you get started in selecting one over the other.
Budget and Potential Frequency of Use
One of the most important considerations when choosing between a new and used piece of equipment is what is your maximum budget in relation to how frequently you’ll be using the equipment? For new farmers with considerably less land and a potentially much smaller budget than someone who has been farming for years, it’s very likely that you will not need a brand new fertilizer applicator for your farm. This isn’t to say that you won’t eventually need one down the line, but when you’re just getting started, it’s always best to go with durable equipment that is going to fit well within your budget. Not to mention, since you’re just getting started, there is a very slim chance that you’ll be harvesting crops at the same rate of much larger and more experienced farmers.
If you’re an experienced farmer with a significant amount of land to fertilize, invest in new equipment that is going to come with a warranty and doesn’t have the wear and tear that a piece of used equipment will have. This is because you will be required to ask more of your fertilizer applicator, using it more frequently and for much longer periods of time than someone just getting their start in the industry. The last thing you need to worry about is investing money in a used piece of machinery, only to have it fail on you because you were putting too much stress on its aged system.
Condition, Past Maintenance Issues, and Warranty
Before purchasing used equipment, always check the hydraulic pumps, tires, legs, and axles. If any of these parts are in poor condition, consider searching for another piece of used machinery or simply purchase a new fertilizer applicator instead. Used equipment is naturally going to come with wear and tear if it was used for an extended period of time. However, if you can see the damage or feel it as you drive the equipment across the ground, this is a strong indicator that you may have issues soon after purchase.
For used equipment that doesn’t appear to be in poor condition, make sure you ask the previous owner if there’s ever been any prior maintenance issue. If there were, and they were subsequently fixed, don’t be shy to ask what the problem was and how it came to be about. Knowing this information will not only help you make a purchasing
decision, but it will also alert you to specific parts of the equipment that has failed in the past and could potentially fail again.
If you know you’re purchasing new machinery, do so with the understanding that a warranty should be included with your purchase. Warranties protect you in the event something happens to your machinery that causes it to prematurely malfunction or fail. For more information visit Fennig Equipment L.L.C. .
