We have all heard it before or maybe even had it happen to us. We search and search to find the right piece of used equipment to add to our business and just when we want to put it to work, we end up pulling out our wallet. Finding the right equipment is more than just checking to see if the appropriate features are present at time of purchase. While having the right attachments is vital to putting it to work. It is equally important to know if the equipment is fit for work and your financial investment.
In todays market of poor supply and high price it is vital to know some key points before pulling the trigger. A proper pre-purchase inspection is always the best way to prevent a regretful purchase. But if you lack time or want to try and qualify that new unit on your own here are a few tips to help you.
If you have some mechanical skills and understand how to safely work on the equipment you are buying then we have a few pointers. *disclaimer* There is no way for us to know exactly what you are going to look at or where and we can't ensure your or anyone else's safety. So please be cautious and if you doubt your safety or feel beyond your comfort zone then call us and we will come down and help.
While there is no replacement for having a professional pre-purchase done on the potential buy. Following a few basic rules and observing key points on the unit will pay dividends long term. We recommend as a minimum looking at the following:
1)Check over the big ticket item the engine. Have a good look at the Oil level and condition. If you pull the dipstick and notice it is significantly low on oil or that the oil appears thick/sludgy and smells like its burned it may be a sign of poor oil maintenance. Also when you pull the dipstick if water droplets are present on the upper portions of the stick it can be an indication of water or coolant in the engine, neither should be in the crankcase. I am always skeptical when it comes to brand new oil as well. Sometimes people do an oil change immediately before selling in order to mask a problem. If the oil is brand new be cautious but the following checks should help rule out potential problems.
With the engine running, carefully remove the dipstick and or oil filler cap. Try to do this with the engine cold and warm. The reason for this is to look for vapor from the crankcase called Blow-by. Blow-by is caused by leakage past the piston rings. Blow-by in moderation itself isn't a problem. But observing the vapor coming out of the oil filler and noticing it in a pulsing manner or that it is creating pressure is a sign of a weak engine. Try placing the filler cap back onto the location it belongs without screwing it back on or pushing it on. If it is forced off from air pressure it could be due to excessive crank-case pressure. Usually a deal breaker.
Observe the coolant reservoir. Be very careful here, do not open the radiator or reservoir when the engine has been running and warm or hot. To prevent hot coolant from burning you only observe the transparent overflow reservoir/tank and not the inside of the radiator or reservoir. What we are looking for here is bubbles coming from the engine and visible when it is running. I prefer to use a second person to rev the engine a few times while I look at the bottom of the reservoir with a flashlight. If bubbles are visible, walk away (unless its a great deal and you budget for the repair). The engine has a failure of the head gasket or a cracked liner or block this will cost thousands to repair.
Does the engine run smoothly? A hunting or pulsing engine can be an indication of a bad injector or a broken valve or other internal engine damage. If there is only a slight pulse and no smoke or coolant pressure the repair may be more reasonable to fix.
While your helper is in the cab have a look at the exhaust while they rev it up for you. If you observe black/grey smoke on units newer that 2007 that have emissions systems, it could be an indication of broken or missing components. These systems are aging and costly to repair. They are often deleted and if improperly done can lead to cracked engine components. Even if "properly" removed these systems were designed to operate with the other systems on the unit. Often removing them only shifts repairs from the emissions system to other engine components. It is also illegal to remove these systems.
2) Check the transmission oil and hydraulic oil. If the equipment has a dipstick on an automatic transmission pull it out with the engine running. Observe the level but have a careful smell of the fluid. If it smells burned it is almost always a sign of failing/burned internal components and will require overhaul.
3) Look at the tires for wear, cracking and tread depth. Tires are not cheap and discounting them during pre-purchase can be costly. Also look for uneven wear and odd patterns as they can be indicative of bad suspension or alignment issues.
4)Have a good look at the frame and major attach points for implements for cracks, bad welds and poor repairs. Is it clean and well kept? You might find a clean machine that is not well kept but you will rarely find a dirty machine that is.
While this does not comprise a list of all of the items that could and should be inspected pre-purchase it will help rule out a liability. It is our hope that we can help you either through some tips like these or a proper inspection that can include oil and coolant analysis, pressure and flow measurements and proper documentation to assure the new owner that their money is being well invested. Let us know how we might be able to help you on your next purchase.
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