by Nigel Hilton

Farm machinery represents a significant investment. No matter whether you are considering the purchase of a tractor, a diet feeder, a combine harvester, or any other type of machine – one thing is for certain, you should never rush into your decision. There are so many factors that need to be taken into account to guarantee that the machine you buy is going to be of a high quality and provide substantial benefits to your business. Keeping that in mind, read on to discover the top five tips for anyone purchasing agricultural machinery…

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#1 Don’t only consider the cost of purchase 

One major mistake is that they consider the cost to purchase the machine, yet they do not take into account the costs of running it. Professional companies like Scherer are upfront about costs. You need to assess the costs as a whole. After all, you need to be certain you are going to be able to afford the running costs. Plus, don’t forget interest rates when it comes to farm machinery finance. Moreover, they should not be detrimental to your business i.e. you should be able to use the machine and still make a profit. It is all about determining whether the money you pay is going to be worth the benefits you will reap in return.

#2 Read reviews that have been left by previous farmers

The second thing you need to do is read reviews that have been left by previous farmers. Yes, you are in competition with one and other. However, farming is an industry whereby everyone tends to look out for one and other. If a machine is of a low level of quality you can rest assured that several farmers will take to the internet to warn others from making the same mistake they did. Therefore, a quick five to ten-minute search can save you from wasting your money on a poor investment. 

#3 Purchase from a company offering spare parts and servicing 

When buying farm machinery you should seek a company with a good after service as well. Look for someone who provides spare parts and servicing. After all, it is much better if you can use the company you bought your machine from as they will know the mechanics of it better than any other company will. 

#4 Don’t overlook the option of leasing the machine instead

Have you considered leasing the machine instead of purchasing it? If not, this is definitely something you should think about. Leasing the machine can be beneficial if it is something you aren’t going to be using all of the time. You will need to sit down and draw up a forecast for costs in relation to purchasing and contrast them with costs in relation to leasing in order to find the best solution for you. A lot of farmers prefer to own the machinery so that they have something to show for their money.

#5 Never purchase based on price alone

On a final note, you should never purchase farm machinery based on price alone. If you simply look for the cheapest deal you can find, you are undoubtedly going to suffer at the hands of a lack of quality. In the end you will only end up spending more as you will require repairs more frequently than you would if you had just purchased quality in the first place. Remember, quality comes first, price comes second.