seemingly good value for money upfront ; you need to know that the machinery you buy is fit for purpose . A machine that costs significantly less used means nothing if it can ’ t do the job properly . It ’ s paramount to know the machine ’ s history , and trust it has been through a multipoint check by a trained technician .
Buying new comes with the guarantee of a manufacturer warranty for peace of mind , but buying used doesn ’ t mean missing out . Trusted dealers will offer their own warranty to provide that extra reassurance .
2 . Quality of brand
Invest in a reliable and trust-worthy brand . Preferably one that ’ s already well-known in the industry for producing durable , robust machinery that maintains its longevity .
3 . Machinery use
Just as you ’ d avoid a car that has clocked up a substantial number of miles , you wouldn ’ t want to invest in machinery that ’ s been used for a huge number of hours . Make sure you know the age , specification and hours used on a machine , as this will give you an early indication of the condition you can expect the machine to be in .
4 . Service checks
This goes hand in hand with purchasing from a trusted source . For a turfcare machines ’ equivalent MOT , the following should be checked :
THE BENEFITS OF BUYING USED
The biggest and most obvious benefit is cost . Without paying the premium of having a brand-new machine , the upfront cost can be significantly lower . Higher-quality brands become affordable , negating the need to buy lower quality new machinery that can be unreliable and costlier in the long term .
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING USED
1 . A trusted source
It ’ s not just a question of getting
• Engine and cooling system
• Hydraulic and electrical system
• Steering and brakes
• Chassis
• Fuel system
• Transmission and final drives
• Wheels and tyres
• Cutting units and decks
• Operator platform and controls
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