Buying a used machine can be a great way to get quality equipment at a decent price, and extending a machine’s life in this way helps to reduce waste in the construction industry. These factors make buying used a popular option, so we’ve compiled a list of things to watch for when shopping for machines secondhand. Read it over, then print it out to keep in your back pocket when you visit the dealership.

1.       Look for machines that have a manufacturer backed certification.

John Deere Certified Used Equipment are machines that have passed rigorous inspections based on John Deere’s exact standards. This certification aims to relieve some of the stress of shopping for used equipment, as customers can place trust in Deere’s strict quality and operation criteria.

2.       Buy from a certified equipment dealership.

Certified Dealers of equipment such as Coastline are usually the best places to find high quality used equipment. Used pieces may even come out of the dealerships rental fleet, which means they were maintained by certified technicians at factory defined service intervals. When you buy used from a dealership, you can trust that your machine is backed by the original manufacturer and you can count on quality service and support going forward.

3.       Ask the dealer or seller for a complete history on the machine.

When buying used equipment, it’s important to consider the machine’s service history, work history, and previous work climate. Some job site environments are harder on machines than others, so be sure to ask how the machine was used by the previous owner. Heavy rock mining affects a machine differently than dairy farm facility maintenance, so this is valuable information in assessing the condition of your potential investment. A good dealer with have thorough records of the machine’s history and maintenance for you to review.

4.       Verify the status of the machine warranty on the piece of equipment you are interested in.

Many manufacturers, including John Deere, offer extended warranties that are more comprehensive than aftermarket warranties. This provides added security should anything happen to the machine. Be sure to understand exactly what the warranty covers-- is it just powertrain, hydraulic, or comprehensive? You don’t want to assume that any warranty covers all components.

5.       Find out whether you will be able to use the latest technology on your used equipment purchase.

Many if not all John Deere used machines have the latest JD Link or telematics solution available on the equipment, and extending this subscription is easy to do. We also offer mixed fleet telematics solutions through LHP Telematics, so you can bring your entire fleet onto a single platform. Coastline Equipment also provides the option to add the latest Topcon machine and grade control solutions to your machine, increasing its productivity and efficiency so you get even more value out of your used equipment purchase. Finally, John Deere Connected Support provides extensive equipment monitoring and proactive alerts on your machine, often catching potential issues before they occur.

When you buy from Coastline, you know exactly what you’re getting and the high level of service available to you going forward. Feel free to take these tips with you anywhere, but personally (call us biased) we hope you’ll consider Coastline for your next used equipment purchase.