During colder temperatures, used construction equipment often enters the market through auctions or price reductions on a dealer’s lot. During the last year, used equipment prices have significantly varied — especially for highly specialized machines like WIRTGEN GROUP equipment, including mills or slipform pavers.
When connecting with a trusted equipment expert, ask these three questions to discern if purchasing used machines is worth the investment.
1.What Factors Affect the Price?
Any time you’re considering used, check the machine’s total production hours and age. Paradoxically, age and production hours are correlated, but an older machine doesn't always cause an increase in total production hours.
Production hours will vary depending on the type of machine or who owns it. For example, if the machine is part of a dealer's rental fleet and is designed for a niche job site like Wirtgen's Surface Miner 4200 SM, it could be a few years old with relatively low production hours.
Rules of supply and demand always affect the used equipment market. When fewer used machines are available for purchase, prices will increase. If the market includes many different machines and models, then most prices will decrease depending on their popularity.
For example, recent reports from global auction agencies like Sandhill Auction say that compact construction equipment tops the charts when it comes to the top financed used models sold. The recent releases of new models like the 335 P-Tier Compact Track Loader to dealers have caused some contractors to list their older CTLs for sale or consider a trade-in with their trusted dealer. As used compact machines move from contractor to market, opportunities are created for others to purchase older CTLs.
Besides production hours and age, the price of any used machine will be based on its condition. A trusted equipment expert can help a fleet manager determine if a machine will require repairs that might outweigh its benefits on the job site. Some preventative maintenance or replacement parts can be expected, but an equipment inspector will point out any major issues.
2. What Machine Components Should be Checked?
An equipment inspector will review the following components:
Check engine pressure and overall health
Check cylinders, hydraulic system leaks and fluid levels
Check the machine and attachments' wear and tear
In addition to checking these components, an equipment inspector will check any aftermarket technology currently installed on the machine and verify the machine’s Fleet Management Software (FMS) connection and the machine’s Fleet Management Software (FMS) connection. When the inspection is complete, they will list the necessary repairs and replacement parts.
Wondering what an inspection process is like for a used Wirtgen milling machine? Watch this episode of The Track to get an in-depth look at the inspection process.
3. Used Wirtgen Machines, Are They Worth Buying?
In my experience, the cost of used Wirtgen equipment, specifically milling machines or pavers, can be reduced by 30% to 50% compared to the cost of new machines. However, as always, the value of any used machine will depend on the type of work it completed, its overall wear and tear and its availability based on its regional demand.
Equipment inspectors can discern where a repair will be necessary. The value of any used machine will depend on how well it was maintained, whether it has a documented machine history, and if the buyer has a trusted service partner like RDO Equipment Co.
As an equipment inspector for RDO Equipment Co., Jeff Ward works with customers to determine the value of their used machines. Growing up, Ward followed his passion for Tonka Trucks to pursue a career in heavy equipment. Today, he partners with customers to find the right machine for their job site.
