Buying used vs. new equipment

treesandsurf

treesandsurf

Location
Hawaii
We're looking at adding another crew to our company and will need to purchase a second chip truck in order to make that happen. I've bought used trucks only in the past and have spent a LOT of time with repairs and $ and most importantly having to reschedule and miss out on projects because equipment was down.

I'm now considering buying new with warranty to hopefully spend more up front but have less issues with down time and expensive repairs. I'm interested in what other companies have experienced and what approach they take to buying equipment.

jp:D
 
If you have the work load, and are an established business, which it looks like you are. I think buying brand new with a warranty is the way to go. I am a start up and can not afford to buy brand new, but if I could I would.
I am interested in this thread to see what others who are bigger companies and been at it longer than I have to say!
 
Buying good used stuff is the best choice buying used. Ive lost one brake line on usedequipment for the business in the last 7-8 yrs.

My new stuff seems to be more hassle than the used stuff, to be honest. Wiring issues, shoddy welds, hydro leaks, CEL lights, etc.

Choose used eauipment appropriately. Look beyond new paint and rattle canned under carriages.
 
Used equipment in a lot of ways than new, new Diesel engines will spend more time in te shop than on the road in most cases. And year a warranty will pay to fix what broke but it won't cover your truck be down for days or weeks. And in most cases it's not the cost of the repair its the down time. Avoid shady used equipment dealers buy quaility used chassis pre emmisions then have it built how you want it then start to finish your involved and its how you want it
 
FWIW we're looking at a new F750 with cummins/allison and arbor tech box.

I've owned 1993 F350, 2000 F350, 2001 F550, 2002 F550, 2005 F550's in the past (some I still have). All have had issues here and there but pretty good trucks all around. When they're down though everything halts to a stop.

jp:D
 
I actually don't know. It's an automatic though, which I miss with my newer bucket truck. It's just sitting right now...no tags or insurance.
 
treesandsurf said:
FWIW we're looking at a new F750 with cummins/allison and arbor tech box.

I've owned 1993 F350, 2000 F350, 2001 F550, 2002 F550, 2005 F550's in the past (some I still have). All have had issues here and there but pretty good trucks all around. When they're down though everything halts to a stop.

jp:D
Click to expand...
I like the simplicity and ease of mind buying new. As a heads up, I have an arbortech chip box on one of my trucks. I will buy southco for my next one. I don't like the internal framing. Its okay if you only chip but logs will tear off the vertical framing inside the box. This is an 05 box so maybe there have been improvements in the last 9 years but southco just seems more solid.
 
I only buy new when it makes sense for me and on most occasions it doesn't. I'm often buying a good used machine that costs less than half the price of new.

Yeah, thank God for the edit option.
 
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you need to develop a sophisticated eye and intuition for buying used. That way you can buy more stuff. Some stuff better bought new imo I buy a new Silverado every 6 years. Would never buy a used mini as they have a short and furious life span. But big trucks, chippers, sprayers, grinders, buckets, cranes...all fair game for fun of the hunt and kill
 
I've had big problems with two of the three trucks I've bought used. Mucho probelmos. But the third truck I was able to see the owner's operation which that only sold me on it. Very tight ship.
If u buy used, try to know what the owner was like
 
That is just an integral part of the look over.

But once you have made a very discerning purchase, ofcourse you will have repairs and you can look at it as just a periodic payment likely way less than the payments on the new truck or the initial purchase price. But shop a whole bunch to find the one unit you are looking for. Part of the fun. Like buying yourself a present.
 
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It is integral vet. Unfortunately some guys buy stuff used sight unseen and get the ol switch when the truck shows up. Poor bastards.
 
Everyone has summed it up above.

If you are a ninja mechanic trouble shooter guy on a budget with some free time, clearly buy used!
I started in this boat. I started my tree business after 9 years in a world class manufacturing environment. Mass transit rail cars, like NYC subways. Welded, assembled mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, test tech, team leader, production supervisor... I have the ability to fix most anything. That said, I now after 7 years of doing tree work I make way more money doing tree work then I can save hanging out in the shop all day fixing most things. So over time I find the most capable local folks to work on my stuff. All the time I know what is wrong with my equipment when I bring it to them, or have the ability to understand what they found wrong and create a solution. Clearly we will be hiring a full time shop mechanic at some point. May be a few...There is a solid market for quality refurbished tree work equipment.

If you are not the ninja type, and you have a few hundred thousand dollars available at your disposal. Why of course buy new and then hire a crew to do all the work for you.

Most are probably in between these extremes.
Sounds like the op should buy new.
 
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