Tips for Buying Used Equipment

Purchasing used construction equipment is a cost-effective solution for contractors — and it's rising in popularity, making purchasing used machinery fairly commonplace. The resulting high demand for used equipment has also given rise to many used equipment dealerships. As such, it's become a challenge to know what to look for in used machinery — and dealers — before making a final purchasing decision.

At Cleveland Brothers, we provide both new and used Cat® equipment for a range of professionals across various industries. As such, we know exactly what to look for in used equipment no matter its end application. The next time you consider purchasing a used machine, remember to refer back to our helpful tips.

What Are the Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Used Equipment?

Before you begin your research, we recommend keeping three main factors in mind:

• The dealer's reputation: Before purchasing expensive machinery from a used equipment dealer, first examine their website, online reviews and even their return policies. Is the dealer reputable? Are they knowledgeable and able to answer your questions?
• Price: We recommend checking out competitor websites before purchasing used equipment from a dealer. It's good to know the typical cost of the machinery so you'll know what a reasonable price should be.
• Equipment service history: Ask the seller where the equipment was originally purchased and why they're selling it, and be sure to review its service history records. The dealer should also allow you to test-drive the equipment before purchasing. If they don't let you test-drive, it's best to purchase the machinery elsewhere — even if the price is right.

What Makes a Good Piece of Used Equipment?

There are a few key things you want to look for in used equipment to ensure you're getting a reliable machine:

Maintenance Records

Each piece of used equipment should come with a set of service records. The records may not be extensive, but they will give you an overview of recent repairs and services — which will inform what your future repair investments might look like. You'll want to closely examine how often fluids were changed and what repairs were needed throughout the machine's life.

Equipment Serial Number

Each piece of equipment should also have a serial number you can check to determine if there's an existing vendor warranty or if it's eligible for one.

Thorough Inspection Results

You should always conduct a thorough inspection on any used equipment before purchasing, preferably with the help of a professional who knows the machine type or model well. In particular, you should check:

• The engine: Does the engine start nicely? How does it run while it's cold? Are there any unusual sounds or leaking fluids? What color is the exhaust? Black or blue exhaust could mean a faulty injector or problems with the air filter or head gasket — which might cause trouble down the line.
• Cab: What's the condition of the cab? Do both the air conditioning and heating work? Are the pedals and controls working correctly? Are the gauges and displays functioning?
• Undercarriage: Remember to check sprockets, track chains, rollers and other undercarriage parts to ensure they aren't worn out or broken. For machinery with wheels, check if the tires have decent pressure and traction. Low tire pressure could cause a costly and unsafe blowout that results in unnecessary downtime.

Remember to Get a Second Opinion Before Purchasing

Finally, try to get a second opinion before you make a purchase. Two sets of eyes on a piece of used equipment is always better than one. Heavy equipment can be expensive to repair, and any repair, whether it's big or small, could cause unwanted downtime. A colleague might spot something you overlooked during the buying process or think to ask a question you didn't.

Contact Cleveland Brothers for Your Used Equipment

If you're looking for a reliable used equipment dealer in Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia or Western Maryland, partner with the Cleveland Brothers team. We have a wide selection of Cat Certified Used construction equipment with comprehensive maintenance backgrounds and inspection histories. For more on our used inventory, get in touch with our team today.