Used Construction Equipment Shopping: Know These Seven Red Flags

You need new equipment for your company, and buying new is just out of the questions. No one really does it these days, and for good reason. New equipment is expensive. So, you decide you’re going to buy used. But, there’s just one problem with that idea: used equipment can be its own money pit. Here’s how to avoid getting taken on your next purchase.

A No-Start Engine

Companies, like i80 used equipment, always recondition vehicles so that you’re getting "like new" vehicles. But, not every dealer is like that – especially private sellers. If you’re buying heavy machinery from another company, make sure you check it out. Hop in the cabin and try to start it. A "no-start" engine is oddly an easy thing to miss because heavy machinery is often towed to where it needs to go.

Just as you would with a passenger vehicle, "fire it up" and take it for a small spin around the yard. See if it’s actually in good working order. Don’t take anyone’s word for it.

Leaking Fluids

Obviously leaking fluids isn’t good, but it’s surprising how many companies fail to check the vehicle for leaks. Check along a backhoe loader, and the cylinders. Also, make sure you check all hoses on the machine, or check arms, depending on what it is you’re looking at.

Coolant In The Oil Or Oil In The Coolant

Coolant in the oil and oil in the coolant is bad – very bad. It’s usually indicative of a much larger problem. Usually, this happens when a head gasket, or some other seal, has failed and is now leaking coolant into – or oil out of – places where it shouldn’t be.

This is almost always an expensive fix and, even if it is fixed, it’s almost impossible to tell how much permanent damage has been done because of the leak. Skip this one and look for something less broken.

Anything Seized

If something has seized, it’s obviously not working. Chances are if this is the case, the machine wasn’t well taken care of. Most machines won’t seize unless there is blatant misuse or neglect. Skip this machine and find another one. You don’t know what other gremlins it has.

Welds On The Backhoe, Loader Arms Or Buckets

Machinery, like a backhoe, is constantly taking a beating, so it needs to be well-maintained. Some machines are beat on so badly, they break, and then the broken part is welded back on. A weld is never as straight or as strong as the original steel, and you might end up with a machine with stress fractures or other weak components that you’ll never know about until it’s too late. Welds are a sign of a well-used, but poorly taken care of, machine.

Strange Noises

Some external brake discs can be replaced by the owner at a low cost – enough to justify doing the job in-house. But, other fixes aren’t so simple. If the previous owner repaired the rear differential, or tried doing extensive engine work, for example, and you’re hearing odd noises in those respective places, it’s best to just let this one go.

Excessively Loose Bushings

Machinery doesn’t last forever, but it should last a long time before it needs to be serviced again. For example, it’s typical for heavy-duty machinery to last 20, 30, even 40 years before it needs to be put out to pasture.

But, a lot of this depends on how well it was maintained. If the previous owner didn’t do regular maintenance, and you notice things like excessively loose bushings on critical support areas or mounts, or overall poor maintenance, it’s a sign that this vehicle is probably not right for your company.

Jeremy S has a long career on construction sites. He loves blogging about the ins and outs of efficient methods and safety concerns.