A typical scenario that some of our customers have unfortunately had to deal with. When you buy used heavy machinery it can be expensive, sensitive and even damaging to your production if you buy the wrong Caterpillar 140H. By following these 5 easy steps, you can avoid making the wrong decisions.
1. It’s all in the details
The first and most obvious step is to inspect the current condition of the machine you are interested in. You want to make sure everything works perfectly / as advertised. For example:
- What is the general appearance like? Inspect for visible cracks or welds.
- What is the condition of the attachment (s)? Attachments can be very expensive. If they need to be replaced, make sure that the price of the machine matches the necessary replacement.
- If distance can be a bottleneck to inspect details, request a video call. This way, you can take a closer look and see any details that may have been left out in the original ad.
2. Correlation of working hours
Do the images correspond to the working hours on the machine? What do machines look like with comparable working hours? If you think something is wrong, just ask for the working hours to be verified through the original manufacturer’s system.
At Smitma we regularly come across machines that have been tampered with in terms of working hours. Since we can verify the exact hours through the manufacturer’s system, we can determine whether or not there is an anomaly. If we have found a difference in hours, we will always mention it on the website and price our machines accordingly.
3. Inspection report
Always ask if an inspection report is available. Inspection reports provide detailed insight into the current (in) visible condition of the machine. The fuller the report, the better.
Keep in mind that reports created by the vendor can be biased. That is why it is important to always double check the report with its visible condition. If you are dealing with a licensed trader, you can probably assume that the report is reliable.
4. Buy from an authorized dealer / marketplace
Used heavy equipment is available all over the world. If you’ve found the right machine for your business, but can’t travel to the seller’s location, you have to take a risk. There are several ways to reduce the risk of being scammed. One is buying from popular marketplaces or authorized dealers. Ask for references or view reviews if you are not convinced.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the bank details match the seller’s when you receive a formal quote. Prevention is better than cure!
5. Quality over price
You don’t buy a price, you buy a machine that meets your needs. If you prefer quality, you will save money in the long run in most cases.
Last but not least: a good relationship is based on trust. We hope these simple steps will help you avoid making bad decisions in the future! Find the best Caterpillar 140H that fulfill your needs.
Many of these points of interest also apply to other devices, of course. For example, do you want to invest in other used heavy equipment? Then go to a reliable company and ask for specifications.
