Life Expectancy of Used Farm Equipment

As the backbone of your operation, you rely on various farm equipment for a wide range of tasks, and you need as much uptime as possible from it. Buying used can save you a decent amount, but you need to be sure you’ll get your money’s worth from it. We understand it can be hard to know how long used farm equipment will last you, so we’ve put together some tips for judging its lifespan and how to improve it. If you want to know more, or you’d like to see the used John Deere® equipment we have for sale, contact us at our dealership today!

Average Lifespan

Generally speaking, most farm equipment can last for several years. Tractors, for example, will last for at least 4,000 hours of operation. Some of the newer models with the latest features can last even more. You must keep in mind that the operational capacity of a machine can change as it gets older. As the equipment gets older, it won’t operate like it was new any longer. The more a machine is used, its components will require professional service and repairs to ensure smooth performance.

What Affects the Lifespan?

First and foremost, the brand of used farm equipment you’re looking to buy can make a big difference. Some manufacturers build their machines from excellent quality materials, which makes them more durable and are likely to last longer than other comparable models.

Checking the service history records can give you an idea of how responsible the previous owner was with maintenance and general upkeep. Well-maintained farm equipment is more likely to have a better life expectancy as compared to tools that have fallen into disrepair.

Determining Used Farm Equipment’s Life Expectancy

If you buy from a trustworthy and reputable dealer, you’ll be able to ask them plenty of questions and this will be helpful in your shopping process. You can ask questions about the tasks that were performed by the equipment, were any parts upgraded or replaced, and how was the machine maintained.

As long as you do some research, ask the right questions of a dealer, and inspect the equipment for potential red flags, you’ll be well on your way to picking up quality used farm equipment.

Hopefully, this short guide on understanding the life expectancy of used farm equipment has been helpful. If you have more questions about buying used farm equipment, don’t hesitate to

call or head into Rivera's Machinery, Inc. in Donna, TX. We proudly serve all those coming from Harlingen, McAllen, and San Benito.