Tips For Buying Used Bobcat® Equipment

At first, the idea of buying pre-owned Bobcat® equipment might seem like a challenging task, but the benefits are worth the extra effort. Bobcat has emerged as a leader in compact farm and construction equipment, so their machines are pretty reliable and durable. There are just a few things to keep in mind before you make your final purchase.

At Synergy Equipment locations throughout Florida and Georgia, we have a wide range of used Bobcat equipment. Our trained technicians will help you select the right model for your needs at great rates. If you’re in or around South Carolina, check out the used Bobcat equipment for sale at our dealership in Charleston.

Seller Reliability

Dealerships are better than independent sellers when it comes to buying used goods because their goal is to have a good reputation and constant customer growth. That said, not all dealerships are reliable. Do your research on both the seller and the model you wish to buy. Are customers mostly satisfied with their purchases? Is the quoted price a fair one? The more reliable the seller, the better your chances of getting good pre-owned Bobcat® equipment.

Authenticity

Once again, it’s easier to establish the authenticity of used Bobcat® equipment if you’re buying from a dealership rather than an individual private seller. Ask for the paperwork to confirm you’re getting a machine that’s been fully paid for. If it has a lien on it, then it can’t be sold to a new owner. If you buy it, you may have to forfeit ownership to the lender. Check the PIN to ensure you’re not buying stolen equipment.

History

Ask for the records of the service and repairs done on used Bobcat® equipment. You’ll want to know how frequently they’ve been repaired and how heavily the equipment was used. Were the repairs general wear and tear repairs or did the equipment require extensive repair work? You’ll also want to ask about any parts that needed to be replaced.

Thorough Inspection

If you know enough about the model you want to buy, give it a thorough inspection. If you don’t know much about it, do some independent research or ask an expert to help you out. Some of the things to look out for include rust, fuel leaks, worn tires and a damaged undercarriage. Consider whether the machine is capable of doing what you need it to do.

Demo Run

Like you’d take a car for a test drive before buying it, you’ve got to test out the used Bobcat® equipment. You probably can’t take it to your project site for some heavy work but you can give it a basic run. See how smoothly the machine performs common tasks. Listen carefully to the sounds it makes. You should know the normal sounds that come from such equipment. Does the model make similar noises or does it seem to groan and screech more? This will reveal the quality of the equipment you’re hoping to buy. Also check the exhaust ─ blue smoke means the engine oil is burning, black smoke means the fluid/air mixture is too rich in the fuel, while white smoke means something is wrong with the fuel burning process.

We hope this clears things up for you. If you have questions, you’ll want to talk to the experts at Synergy Equipment. We have locations in Florida and Georgia as well as in Charleston, South Carolina, where you can view our selection of pre-owned Bobcat® equipment . We also have rental options that may work out better for you, too, so call or come see us in person!