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Look Before You Leap When Purchasing Used Farm Machinery

Russ Quinn
By  Russ Quinn , DTN Staff Reporter
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When buying used equipment, make sure it has all necessary safety features. Tractors should include ROPS bars. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico)

Low grain prices have resulted in a surplus of used equipment waiting for buyers. If you are looking for used equipment bargains, be cautious advises Robert Stwalley, Purdue University assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering. In a recent Purdue Extension report, he said: "A used piece of equipment, under the right circumstances, may be the best economic choice for a specific operation. But it may not be. Remember, go in with your eyes open and choose wisely."

Stwalley said farm machinery operates at a maximum efficiency only for a certain amount of time.

For instance, planters have a relatively short effective lifespan of around 1,000 hours, according to the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineer. Other machinery, such as tractors, has an effective lifespan of closer to 5,000 hours. All other machinery should last around 2,000 hours.

Before making a deal, potential buyers should determine how many useful hours a piece of machinery has left, Stwalley said. A used piece of machinery is only a bargain if its benefits outweigh the costs of keeping it. Repairs, maintenance and other expenses all need to be considered, he said.

A frequently overlooked cost associated with buying used farm machinery is search time, Stwalley added.

While looking for a specific piece of farm machinery has become easier in recent years because of online farm machinery listings, farmers still should visit multiple sellers to find the best deal. Buying new equipment is not as time-consuming by comparison because most equipment dealers carry similar models of equipment, he said.

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Safety should be a top consideration when purchasing used farm machinery. According to a University of Florida report titled "Hand-Me-Down Hazards: Dangers of Used Equipment," farmers should make sure they are purchasing used farm equipment which is still safe.

When buying used equipment from a dealer, the purchase agreement could include a warranty, an owner's manual, warning signs, etc. However when buying used equipment privately or at a farm machinery auction, sometimes these items are not included.

"A bargain price may not be worth the risks involved," the publication said. "Don't be blinded by a 'sale' and end up with equipment for which you didn't bargain."

Farmers should ask the following question when buying used farm equipment:

-Are operating manuals included?

-Are shields and guards in place?

-Is the equipment in decent condition? Breakdowns due to poor maintenance could cause unsafe working conditions.

-If you are buying a used tractor, is it equipped with roll-over protective structures (ROPS)? If it isn't, determine who is responsible for making sure it is installed.

The entire Purdue University Extension report can be read at https://extension.purdue.edu/…

The entire University of Florida Extension report can be read at http://nasdonline.org/…

For more information about tractor safety, visit the Florida AgSafe Network website: http://www.flagsafe.ufl.edu/….

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