The resale value of your equipment can fluctuate depending many different factors including, the brand, age and number of hours on the machine, optional features included, applications, geographical location, time of year, and economic conditions. How you take care of your machine and any updates you complete before you sell it matters too. If you’re looking to sell or trade-in your current equipment, we have put together a high-level checklist that could potentially help you increase the resale value of your machine.
- Service History – Be sure to have the complete maintenance history for your equipment available to document the service that has been performed and when, including components or parts that have been replaced. The service history helps prove that the machine’s condition is reflective of its age and hours. This is especially important if you’re selling a high-hour machine, that has been well maintained and is in really good shape. An easy way to make sure that your equipment is always running at top performance is to have regular preventative maintenance visits. Maintenance records, though not always reviewed in detail, provide value and a vote of confidence in the equipment to the buyer.
- Appearance – Take the time to clean your machine thoroughly and ensure all the sheet metal is straight. Two machines of the same make, model and age with the same hours on the meter and the same mechanical condition can sell for radically different prices based on appearance alone. Touch-up paint can dramatically increase your resale. Use caution when painting, and make sure not to go overboard, excessive paint that doesn’t look uniform, may indicate to a buyer that you are trying to hide something when you are not.
- Leaks – Check the entire machine for leaks and fix any you find. Even if it’s not a critical leak, when a buyer sees one, they will assume it’s indicative of larger issues.
- Replacements/Repairs – Although, it may seem expensive upfront, replacing some parts of a machine will be worth it if you can get that back (and more) when you sell it. For example, on mobile grinders, both tires and track undercarriage are wear items. Due to the expense considerations, the remaining life of both tires and tracks will alter the overall machine value, not to mention the safety concern that could manifest if your grinder is not road ready.
- Photos and Marketing – Take and post detailed photos and descriptions. Photos should show any high-value and working parts (i.e. tracks and tires) and other areas of interest (i.e. engine/electric motor and hour meter). Market your equipment to the largest audience possible. The more eyes you have on your equipment, the more interest and therefore demand you will have for it. It pays to do your research and sell your equipment on a platform that attracts qualified buyers from beyond your local market.
A Rotochopper grinder offers unique value in the used grinder market because it is designed to reduce waste and make your operation more profitable with precision grinding efficiency, no matter when it was manufactured. Maybe refurbishing your current grinder makes more sense financially than purchasing a new grinder, visit our website to learn more about the Rotochopper Certified Factory Refurbishment Program.