If you're in the market for heavy equipment, don't spend money on new models. Instead, shop around for quality used equipment. You might not realize this, but you can save quite a bit of money when you buy used equipment, especially if you take your time to avoid mistakes. If you've never purchased used equipment before, you might not know what to look for. If you've never purchased used equipment before, read the information provided below. Here are three steps to take to help you find the best used equipment for your fleet. 

Check Miles and Hours of Use

If you've ever purchased a used vehicle before, you know how important it is to check the miles. Checking the miles lets you know how far a vehicle has traveled in its lifetime. If you're buying used heavy equipment, you need to check the miles for the same reason. However, identifying the miles traveled on a piece of heavy equipment only provides you with part of the information. To get the complete picture, you also need to identify the number of hours the equipment has been used. Knowing the hours and the miles will let you know how far the equipment has traveled, and how many hours it took to rack up those miles. 

Request All Service Records

If you're going to buy a used piece of heavy equipment for your fleet, don't forget to ask for the service records. If the piece of equipment you're purchasing has only had one owner, they should have enough service records to provide an up-to-date service history. If the buyer also bought the equipment used, ask if they have records from the previous owners as well. This will ensure that you have a clear picture of how well the equipment was maintained. The best piece of used heavy equipment will have a complete service history. 

Conduct Detailed Inspection

If you have your eye on a used piece of heavy equipment, be sure to conduct a detailed inspection. It's not enough to listen to the motor. You need to spend some time inspecting every aspect of the equipment. First, inspect the chassis for signs of damage, or rust. Second, check the hoses and pumps for any sign of leakage. Third, check the tires and tracks for bubbles and cracks. Finally, inspect for signs of rust damage. Finally, take the equipment on a test run. This will allow you feel how the equipment operates.

For more information, contact a used equipment buyers.