The Benefits of Using Used Wheel Loader

Buying a used wheel loader is a big decision. You don't want to invest in a wheel loader that doesn't suit your needs or isn't reliable. As you look at tips for buying a used wheel loader, you should make sure you know the areas of the machine you need to inspect and the steps you need to take to verify a wheel loader's reliability and performance.

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Check out our used wheel loader buying guide to learn more about the benefits of investing in a used wheel loader and how you can do so properly with a comprehensive inspection.

Buying used equipment is a consideration many construction companies make when they're looking to grow their fleet and give themselves with the opportunity to take more jobs. You can enjoy many advantages from buying used, and used equipment makes an excellent choice for many companies. Below, you can find some of the top benefits of buying a used wheel loader:

1. Cost-Effective

Buying used equipment is a great choice for companies interested in machines at a lower price point. One of the top advantages is that used equipment comes with lower initial investment costs. Despite the equipment being previously used, you can still get several years of profitability out of it. Reputable dealers will ensure any piece of used equipment they sell has been well-maintained, so you get your full money's worth.

2. Better Resale Value

When you buy older equipment, you won't see high depreciation costs. The longer a piece of equipment has been on the market, the more its costs will settle. With its value staying steady, used equipment typically experiences slower depreciation. Buying used means you don't have to bear the brunt of a piece of equipment's initial depreciation. Since you won't have as much depreciation, you can often get a better resale price in proportion to what you initially paid.

3. More Operator Friendly

Since a used piece of equipment is usually on the market for some time and standard across the industry, your staff may already be familiar with it. The widespread use makes it more likely your staff members will already have experience operating the equipment. This saves your company time on training and gets your equipment rolled out to work sites sooner.

4. Reliable Warranties

Many dealers offer warranties for the used wheel loaders they sell. These warranties can give buyers who want to ensure they're getting high-quality used equipment some peace of mind. You may be offered multiple warranty options and packages, meaning you can find one ideal for your needs.

5. Lower Insurance Costs

Used equipment generally comes with lower insurance costs since most insurance companies base their pricing and premiums on how much it costs to replace the equipment. When you buy used, the equipment's replacement costs are going to be lower, which means your insurance costs will be lower as well. This can save your company money in the long term and keep your monthly costs lower, freeing up capital for other ventures.

As you look to purchase a wheel loader, you need to inspect it first. A dealer should be able to provide you with relevant documents for the service history of the wheel loader and tell you how the machine was used in the past. Additionally, you should conduct an inspection of the major parts of a wheel loader and take it out on a test drive.

Check out the top four used wheel loader inspection tips:

1. Review the Maintenance and Service History

One of the first things to check before buying a used wheel loader is the maintenance and service history. A good dealer will have information on when the machinery was last serviced and the type of maintenance performed on it. You should check to ensure the previous owners stuck to the recommended maintenance intervals since keeping up with them can greatly extend the life of a wheel loader.

If a wheel loader has a track record of preventative maintenance and inspections, you can be more confident in its reliability.

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2. Check Major Areas for a Proper Inspection

You want to be sure the piece of equipment you buy is worth the money. Any reputable dealer will allow you to conduct an independent inspection on the wheel loader. As you conduct the inspection, you can review the major areas of the wheel loader for damage, including:

• Bucket: Look at the front of the bucket to determine if all the teeth are attached securely. Next, check for any damage to the side panels and the leading edge. If your wheel loader is hooked up via a coupling system, see if there are any damaged bushings or loose pins. Finally, inspect the lift arms and lift arm cylinders for damage.
• Cab: Your operators are going to be spending a lot of time in a cab, so you need to inspect it. Ensure the foot pedals, joysticks, seat and any other controls or pieces of technology are in good condition. Note the reading of the hour meter. Start the wheel loader, and check that the gauges are working.
• Frame: Some wheel loaders will come with a Roll Over Protection Structure. If the machine you're looking at has one, you should inspect it to see if there's any damage that could potentially put your operator in danger if your wheel loader rolled over. If you have a Falling Object Protective Structure, inspect the slide screens to make sure they're secured to the frame and undamaged.
• Hydraulic system: One of the main things to look for when buying a used wheel loader is the hydraulic system. Look for damaged cylinders and hoses, and check that the hose couplings don't have any scratches or breaks. As you look at cylinders, check for dents, scratches or leaks that could result in contaminants entering the system or fluid leaking out.
• Engine: Inspect the engine, searching for any loose belts or leaks. Additionally, look at the air filter to see its last service date.
• Center articulation point: The center articulation point is located at the midpoint of the underside of the cab. Check this area for damage and wear. If the articulation point has been significantly damaged, you may notice the top and bottom pins making an up and down movement during operation.
• Tires, wheels and rims: Inspect the rims' metal for structural damage, such as cracks, rust or dents. You can also check the tire tread for any basic damage or wear.

3. Find Out How It Was Used

Knowing how a wheel loader was previously used can help you better predict how long the machine will hold up. Ask the dealer about who previously owned the machine and if it was utilized for handling exceptionally heavy or rough materials. Find out if the wheel loader was used during the week or also on the weekends to determine how often the previous owner had the machine running. The machine's history will give you an indication of how reliable it will be.

4. Take the Wheel Loader on a Test Drive

Always take a wheel loader on a test drive before you make a purchase. On this drive, you can get a sense for how it handles and verify everything works properly.

On this test drive, you can check to see if you can shift through all the gears without any issue. You can also see the low and high engine RPMs, as well as check to see if there are any irregularities in significant areas like the bucket link or center articulation joints. Issues like these could indicate you may be stuck with repairs shortly, so a test drive is a must.

When attempting to expand their fleet, many companies consider buying used equipment. With a bigger fleet, these companies will be able to take on more jobs, but the investment it requires is huge. Therefore, they often opt for used equipment as they find that there are many benefits that they can enjoy from buying used equipment. If you are considering whether you should purchase used machinery like a wheel loader, you do not have to wonder anymore. Here, we have assembled a few advantages of finding a used wheel loader for sale for your fleet.

Cost Effective

If your company has a low price point, buying used equipment would be a great option for you. Used equipment requires a lower initial investment which a lot of small businesses benefit from. Although the equipment may have been used before, it can still be quite profitable. If you purchase from a reputable dealer who ensures you that the equipment was maintained properly, you will be able to get several years out of it.

Resale Value

If you opt for used equipment, you will be able to avoid the high initial depreciation costs. If a machine has been on the market for a while, its price tends to settle. Since used equipment depreciates more slowly, once its cost settles, you will be able to get a better resale price. With new equipment, the initial depreciation alone would have cost you quite a bit.

Operator Friendly

If you are trying to find a used wheel loader, you should opt for something that has been on the market for some time and is a standard across the industry. This will ensure that your staff is already familiar with the loader. The more widespread it is in the market, the more likely it is that your staff will have experience in operating the loader. This will save you time on training, and you will be able to put your loader to work immediately.

Low Insurance

With a used loader, the insurance costs would be a lot lower because insurance companies base their pricing on how much it would cost them to replace it. Since buying used means that the loader’s replacement costs are going to be lower, you will be able to get lower insurance premiums and pricing. For your company, this means that you will be paying less in the long term and your monthly costs will be lower as well.

Warranties

When you are searching for a used wheel loader, you will come across many dealerships that offer warranties. Buyers have a guarantee through these warranties that they are getting high quality used equipment. You can find a lot of different warranty packages and options available, and you can decide on which one is ideal for your business.

These are a few advantages that purchasing a used loader will offer you. However, since buying a used loader is a big decision, you do not want to mess it up by investing in a machine that does not suit your needs or is not reliable. Make sure to properly inspect the loader that you are buying to avoid having any regrets later. Remember to check the loader’s performance before you make the purchase.