When buying almost anything, brand new is always going to be preferred to used or pre-owned items. In most cases, new is superior in terms of quality and reliability. In reality, while it is nice to buy something ‘brand new off the showroom floor,’ the cost for such an item is something that must be taken into consideration.

One particular area to which serious consideration should be giving before spending large sums of money for new vehicles is in the forestry industry. The cost of buying heavy-duty machines such as logging trucks, forestry bucket trucks, and tree trucks may be more than what many companies can afford in the current economic climate. Listed below are several reasons to consider purchasing pre-owned, re-conditioned, used forestry equipment to meet current needs.

• Tested Quality - Brand new forestry trucks can be prone to developing mechanical or electrical malfunctions. Frequently, this is caused by glitches in the production line and don’t show up until the vehicle is put to rigorous use. With the pre-owned trucks, these problems seldom show up because such problems are taken care of when the vehicle is processed for selling by a re-sale company. Any problem that may have existed on the equipment has most likely have been corrected.

• No ‘Break-In’ Period - The break-in period applies to all brand new forestry equipment equipped with internal combustion engines. Breaking in the engine allows the bearings to set properly and the piston rings to correctly seal around the cylinder. To break in the engine, it has to run for an average distance of 3,000 miles followed by an oil change to get rid of the metal shavings that have been deposited in the oil. This is required on most new engines to get the optimum performance from the machine. With a pre-owned vehicle, there is no need to perform this lengthy process as it has already been completed by a prior owner.

• Reduced Cost - Among all the benefits of purchasing pre-owned equipment, a lower cost is the most beneficial. It is less expensive to purchase used when compared to similar models that are brand new. This is due to the depreciation factor that is always applied, no matter how the truck was driven or where it was operated. In addition, the normal re-conditioning of a vehicle when preparing it for re-sale frequently returns it to a like-new condition in many instances.

• Low Finance Rate - The reduced price tag on pre-owned or used trucks also translates to lower financing rates. This is particularly beneficial since the economy is still somewhat unstable. Again, because of the customary re-conditioning that is done of pre-owned forestry equipment prior to resale, it is a very safe option that allows for lower financing rates.

In addition, there are some other pertinent suggestions that will prove helpful in the overall consideration of the purchase of used forestry equipment.

• Keep Within a Reasonable Budget - Steer clear from "too good to be true" offers. The price tag on a pre-owned truck is partially based on the registered mileage and hours of usage. The higher the number, the lower the price becomes. If the price is unreasonably low, the equipment may have a very limited amount of service life remaining.

• Select Recent Models – New models won’t be found with used model dealers. On the other hand, be wary of purchasing very obsolete models. Old models can be really affordable but are more likely to have only a minimal amount of service life remaining. Technology will most likely be outdated and parts replacement could be a real problem with older models.

• Choose a Reputable Dealer - Finding used forestry vehicles can be done with ease online. There are many dealers who sell these trucks online. Only conduct business with reputable online dealers. To sort out the good from the bad, do a little research by visiting forums that deal with forestry equipment and make some inquiries. Be sure to ask for referrals from individuals who have purchased their own used forestry machinery.

Conclusion

Purchasing used forestry equipment can save money initially; however, to ensure that it is a wise investment, conduct online research and only make a purchase when a determination has been made that the vehicle is in good working order and is able to be serviced locally. Following the above advice will ensure that there is benefit gained from the purchase of used forestry equipment!