What is important to know to make used agricultural machinery a worthwhile purchase?

Mascus advertisement

 

“Used agricultural machinery is popular all over the world. Lithuania is no exception. And not only financial opportunities determine the trend. Some farmers could purchase a new tractor or other agricultural equipment, but they consciously choose used ones. This, if chosen carefully, can please with the optimal price-quality ratio. And where to invest the saved funds will definitely appear on the farm.

 

Of course, buying used agricultural machinery is inseparable from the risk of purchasing low-quality equipment, overpaying or even facing legal troubles. Practical advice on what mistakes buyers of used agricultural machinery most often make and how to avoid them is shared in the article by Meilė Visockienė, a representative of Mascus. The most common mistakes of buyers of used agricultural machinery Related articles A Dutch agricultural cooperative has set its sights on Lithuania: it intends to build a factory A Dutch agricultural cooperative has set its sights on Lithuania: it intends to build a factory A long-awaited winter in Lithuanian fields: not only bad news for farmers A long-awaited winter in Lithuanian fields: not only bad news for farmers These farms will receive almost 10 thousand euros per hectare - they will pay support next year These farms will receive almost 10 thousand euros per hectare - they will pay support next year Thousands of ads are placed every day with used agricultural machinery for sale, which also attract the attention of Lithuanian buyers. True, not all transactions end successfully. If buyers do not pay due attention to the careful selection of the machinery, as well as its seller, the purchase may not meet expectations. The biggest risk is choosing used agricultural machinery based solely on price Buying used agricultural machinery can save you money. However, as Meilė Visockienė, a representative of Mascus, warns, blindly chasing the cheapest offers risks encountering various problems. Sometimes – even losing money.

 

“Long-term, more than 25 years of experience in this field allows us to state that the greatest risk is associated with agricultural machinery sold much cheaper than the market average. The gamble of not letting someone else buy cheap, well-designed equipment “under their noses” often leads to the fact that the condition of the equipment, its origin, the buyer’s reliability and other nuances are not sufficiently assessed,” warns the expert. A surprisingly low price for equipment can hide such shortcomings as high wear and tear, fake mileage, expensive, hard-to-find parts, high fuel consumption, etc. When calculating how much the repair and operation of such equipment would actually cost, one may be unpleasantly surprised. It often turns out that the final amount is even higher than that of a well-maintained agricultural machinery, the initial price of which was higher in the advertisement. And what about the fact that purchasing the latter would avoid additional worries.

 

Blind trust in the seller is a common mistake of buyers

 

The sale of agricultural machinery is not just a transaction. It also includes responsibility for the information provided about the condition, origin and history of the equipment. “The reliability of sellers who register in our system is always checked. This is very important, but it does not provide a 100% guarantee that the seller is truly honest and that his ads reflect the real condition of the equipment. The ultimate responsibility for whether the seller can be trusted lies with the buyer,” the interviewee points out. An unscrupulous seller may try to hide defects in the equipment, previous accidents or the fact that it has been used for a long time and intensively (for example, at a rental point). There are even cases when the agricultural equipment being sold is stolen.

 

Although there is no need to be shy when it comes to buying agricultural equipment, which, even used, costs considerable sums, M. Visockienė claims that in practice it is the other way around. “Being interested in what is being bought but ignoring the fact who is selling it is another mistake made by buyers of used equipment,” the interviewee assures. A sincere assurance from the seller that everything is really fine with the used tractor or other equipment is not enough. ● It is ideal if there is an opportunity to look into the reviews of former buyers, which are sometimes available from individuals or companies specializing in this activity. ● A purchase and sale agreement can also help to insure the seller's honesty, the terms of which must be familiarized with. ● Of course, the seller must provide all the documents for the equipment being sold. How to safely purchase used agricultural equipment? Used agricultural equipment that does not have a manufacturer's warranty inherently means a higher risk due to expensive repairs, which are sometimes required immediately after purchase. However, following expert advice that emphasizes caution and slowness, agricultural equipment can surprise with an optimal quality-price ratio. Of course, one should not forget about proper equipment maintenance during operation.

 

Before purchasing, it is important to inspect used agricultural equipment in person

 

The Mascus portal, where a large part of used agricultural equipment is actively used daily by buyers and sellers from more than 56 countries around the world, who sell agricultural machinery here and are looking for reliable transaction partners. This also opens up the opportunity for Lithuanian buyers to choose from a wider range of specialized equipment. True, the search for ads should be narrowed down to those countries where the used machinery can be inspected live by the buyer himself or by his trusted persons. Buying used agricultural machinery without actually inspecting and testing it is a big risk. Beautiful photos can hide cosmetically disguised defects. And the description does not mention engine, gearbox or other problems, which sometimes even the seller himself is not aware of. If the seller deliberately avoids a face-to-face meeting or, upon arrival, is interested in the sale happening as quickly as possible, this is a serious signal that something may be wrong. It is worth considering the possibility of independent expert services. The decision to come to the inspection with an independent expert who knows the technical and electronic subtleties of the equipment - even more peace of mind regarding the reliability of the transaction. Specialists not only know what to pay attention to when checking the condition of the equipment, but also are able to notice problems that are not yet signaled by warnings on the dashboard. Moreover, having found a reliable expert in the country where the agricultural equipment that has attracted attention is located, it is not necessary to go to the place yourself. Such an opportunity expands the geography of choice. The services of independent experts are recommended when: ● the seller does not have sufficient knowledge to objectively assess the condition of the equipment; ● expensive used agricultural equipment is purchased; ● the equipment is modern, with complex electronics; ● there are suspicions about the seller's honesty. The money spent on a professional inspection of the equipment can save significantly larger amounts that would have to be invested in repairing unnoticed faults.

 

Used agricultural machinery sales – only with all necessary documents

 

Only when you know whether the seller can provide all the documents for the agricultural machinery or other implements being sold, can you proceed to the further purchase process. Before concluding a contract for the purchase and sale of agricultural machinery, the seller should provide: ● ownership documents (purchase and sale agreement, invoice, etc.); ● if the owner is a legal entity, an authorization issued to a specific person to sell the machinery; ● documents necessary for identifying the machinery (registration certificate, VIN/serial number, manufacturer's documents); ● documents about the origin of the machinery (former owner's data, import documents, auction documents, etc.); ● documents about the condition of the machinery (CE declaration of conformity, technical inspection certificates, invoices for repairs, etc.). Neat documents can not only provide important information about the actual condition of the used machinery, but also help avoid problems with registration or resale in the future. Even possible legal misunderstandings. The most important information related to the documents required for registering agricultural machinery in Lithuania and other procedures can be found on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania. Used or new agricultural machinery: which option is better? Of course, used equipment is not the only solution for agriculture. Favorable financial opportunities, fear of taking risks when buying a "pig in a poke", often associated with used equipment, or other reasons determine that some farmers get behind the wheel of a tractor or other equipment that still smells of paint. Rejoice in the purchase of quality used equipment from such world-famous manufacturers as John Deere, New Holland, Case IH, Kuhn, etc. at a lower price? Do you want to work on the farm with new equipment with peace of mind, without fear that unexpected breakdowns will bring additional costs?

 

When is it worth choosing new equipment?

 

If a farmer applies for EU support, the purchase of new equipment is one of the main requirements. Of course, there are more situations when you should think about investing in new agricultural equipment. ● Large farms that require constantly intensively used equipment. ● During the season, the greatest possible assurance is required that work will not stop if the equipment unexpectedly breaks down. ● A manufacturer's warranty and repair services are relevant. ● Due to the nature of the activity, the most modern equipment is required.

 

When is used agricultural equipment a more practical solution?

 

Owners of small and medium-sized farms or individuals who need specialized equipment to perform small works on their personal holdings are often satisfied with the quality and productivity of used agricultural equipment. The circumstances discussed below should encourage consideration of such a decision. ● The equipment is needed for work on small areas of land, most often on small or medium-sized farms. ● Financial capabilities are limited, but it is important to purchase the highest quality, most functional equipment. ● The equipment is planned to be used not constantly, but seasonally. ● One of the most important priorities is faster payback of the equipment. ● The buyer would not have any problems with the repair of broken equipment if necessary.

 

Advertisements and sales of used agricultural machinery

 

Choosing used agricultural machinery requires not only a price assessment, but also time, attention and a clear understanding of what is being bought and from whom. It is in these places that buyers most often make mistakes. As practice shows, thoughtful decisions allow you to avoid unnecessary risks and ensure that the investment in equipment will pay off in the long term. Such decisions are facilitated by the ability to see a broader picture of the market in one place. The sale of used agricultural machinery takes place on the international advertising portal "Mascus", and the published offers from various countries make it easier for both buyers and sellers to compare options and assess real market conditions.”