Before You Buy New or Used Construction Equipment: 4 Things to Consider

When you’re buying new or used construction equipment, you’re making a major investment. While it can be tempting to base your decision solely on price, there are a number of factors to consider to ensure you’ll get a good return on that investment. Here are the top four things to think about before you buy.

You need every machine in your fleet to be ready to go so you can meet your clients’ needs on time and on budget. An unreliable machine can negatively impact your company’s efficiency and reputation.

To ensure a machine’s reliability, you must be able to get the replacement parts you need when you need them. Find out if replacement parts are readily available before you make your purchase. Checking online at parts.cat.com is a good place to start browsing.

While you may not need every feature offered, you’ll want to ensure that the equipment you’re considering has certain safety and operator features. These may include extra visibility and ergonomic cabs to prevent injuries and accidents. Features that make operation easier, such as intuitive control systems, in-cab displays, and sound and vibration suppression, can help boost operator productivity—a benefit you may not want to forego.

Keeping fuel costs low is critical to the success of construction businesses. Ensure the machine you’re considering is designed to maximize fuel efficiency when properly maintained.

When it comes to maintenance and repairs, your team must understand how to properly service your new or used construction equipment. Is the machine you’re considering designed to be serviced easily? Does your team have the knowledge to maintain and repair it? These questions need to be answered before you make your investment.

The old saying is true: you get what you pay for. If you’re considering buying based on price, you may not get the resale value that will help you fund the purchase of your next machine.

If you’re not worried about resale, consider how you’ll dispose of your machine when it reaches the end of its life. Lower-cost equipment may not be designed to be rebuilt, which may mean you’ll have to dispose of it in a way that negatively impacts the environment. Finning buys both Cat® and non-Cat equipment and provides you the option to trade-in, sell outright, or consign your used equipment.

If you’re considering buying new or used construction equipment, our team is here to help. We have years of experience with all makes and models and can advise you on whether the machine you’re interested in is a good investment for your unique operation. Contact us today.

Finning is the world's largest Caterpillar dealer, selling, renting and providing parts and service for equipment and engines to customers across diverse industries, including mining, construction, petroleum, forestry and a wide range of power systems applications. We operate in Western Canada, South America, and UK and Ireland.