For hobby farmers who want to expand their opportunities without breaking the bank, purchasing used farm equipment can be a cost-effective strategy.
Used farm equipment for sale – even old equipment that’s out of date – can provide years of excellent service, especially if you take good care of it. But before you rush out and buy the first machine you see in an online ad, we want to help you make informed purchasing decisions by giving you five tips for buying used farm equipment:
#1 See the equipment in action before buying
If you’re buying from a private seller, try to arrange an appointment to see the used machine in operation before you commit to buying. Just because a machine ran fine when it was last used four years ago doesn’t mean it will still work after four years of aging/weathering/rust. Ask to see the main features in action; you might want to test a tractor’s front loader or see a hay baler tie a knot.
Seeing the equipment in use also gives you the opportunity to examine it from all angles and look for general signs of age and wear that may be more obvious in person than in photos. You can also get an idea of whether the equipment has been stored under cover or outdoors.
#2 Determine if the equipment can be professionally maintained
This depends a lot on the age and brand of the equipment you’re buying, but if it’s possible to get used equipment professionally serviced in your area, that’s a nice plus. If you’re considering buying a 15-year-old John Deere garden tractor and there’s a John Deere dealer in your area that can service it, that’s a nice piece of mind, especially if you’re not comfortable with DIY repairs.
#3 Check how easy it is to obtain spare parts
If you’re considering buying very old equipment – say a decades-old hay rake or hay baler – it’s worth researching the model number to find out how (or if) replacement parts are available. Are there part numbers you can reference? Are some/all of the most important and/or delicate parts still made? You’d be surprised how many obscure old parts are still available, as long as you know what you’re looking for.
Can you also get a user manual or maintenance manual for the device? These old booklets can contain a wealth of information on how to troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
#4 Consider purchasing equipment similar to what you already own
Let’s say you have been using a particular appliance for years, but now it is severely damaged and repairing it would not be cost-effective. If it is a common model and you are happy with its performance, you could consider replacing it with an identical model. Then your broken appliance can serve as a source of spare parts for your new one.
#5 Build bigger and secure a guarantee
While it’s tempting to look for deals from individual sellers, you should also consider buying from dealers who regularly buy and sell used equipment, especially if it’s more expensive machinery that you use frequently. Such dealers will inspect and restore equipment and then offer a warranty to ensure that the equipment will work as intended for a certain period of time. You’ll pay more, of course, but if your safety is your top priority, it may be worth it.
If you follow these five tips for buying used farm equipment, you’ll be well on your way to acquiring reliable machinery that will meet your needs for years to come.
This article about buying used farm equipment was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
