How to choose your next used forest machine
Buying a used forest machine, is in many cases a first investment and the most important decision when starting a new business. To minimise risks that can compromise the success of your plan, we have collected some tips to help you to choose your next used machine.
1. BUY FROM AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL
This is our recommendation. Avoid buying a machine from a seller who has no experience of the business. At Ponsse we want long- term relationships and our team’s support is there even after the deal is closed. Our global sales team knows forest machines and they will find the best possible solutions from more than 250 used machines in stock for you.
2. TRY TO DEFINE WHAT YOU NEED
When you are starting a business, you may not know your month- ly production volumes exactly. But there is some information you should get from your customers:
Harvester: What are the average sizes of the trees you will cut and is it hardwood or softwood, what kind of terrain will the work be done in (slopes, wet area), will it be more thinning or clearcut work?
Forwarder: Are the transportation distances long, what about the lengths of the assortment, do you have some constraints for the width of the machine?
It is also good to estimate how many hours you will work with the forest machine in a year. When you share this information with us, we will find a machine suitable for your needs.
3. NOT TOO TIGHT A BUDGET
We are talking about a professional working machine: it will need service or spare parts sooner or later. When the machine stops, you may need to change some parts or at least do some service work, which means that you will need some extra money to continue your work in the forest. When you need help? Our global service centre network and service cars around the world are there for you.
4. FIND OUT THE BACKGROUND OF THE MACHINE
How many different owners have there been? Where were the machines working in the past? Why is the machine for sale? Do not assume things, you need to ask! If you are looking at the harvesters’ tyres and they are really worn out even though the machine has been working for less than 10,000 hours, ask for a clear explanation. Today at Ponsse network we sell machines with service agreements. When you are buying a used machine which has had a service agreement, you can easily follow what the machine has worked on and where the machine has worked from the system, and we can estimate what kind of service might come up soon.
5. ASK ABOUT WARRANTY
In some cases, we can offer you a warranty, ask your local sales person about this. We know what we are selling, and we can evalu- ate the risks with you and support you to make the best decision.
6. AT THE HARVESTER LOOK AT THE HARVESTER HEAD
The head is the sensible point on the machine. It grabs the trees and trunks are rolling through it all day long. If you have a reliable har- vester head, you will avoid many breakdowns as the base machines from competent manufacturers are quite reliable. If you do not have access to the total volume of the harvester heads, examine the con- dition of the blades. Additionally, an important thing is the condition of the frame itself. We appreciate the condition of the measuring system, and we can update it if needed. Our harvester heads are well known for their high quality.
7. ON THE FORWARDER, LOOK FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND CRANE
The forwarder is loaded and unloaded day after day. For this reason, you need a strong and reliable crane. At Ponsse, we have good expe- rience of cranes because we manufacture our own cranes. You need to rely on the transmission system of the forwarder, and you cannot doubt the braking system. This is a matter of safety.
8. APPEARANCE IS IMPORTANT, BUT NOT THE DETERMINING FACTOR
Remember that we are talking about used forest machines. There might be some worn paintwork on the surface, and the tyres could be worn, and there might some small bumps on the machine. Do not worry! These are all reparable if the basics of the machine are in good condition.
9. PLAN YOUR INVESTMENT IN ADVANCED
When you find a suitable machine, reserve some time for repair and transportation. Take part in the training we offer to get the best out of the forest machine. Preparing a used machine for delivery to a customer is not a story written in advance. It can take more time than a first estimation, even by experienced mechanics. We are start- ing a long-term relationship, so let’s be patient to make get best of it.
10. YOU MIGHT NEED TO SELL THE MACHINE ONE DAY
When starting a new business, you might not think first of selling the machine you have just bought. But it is a key point, as your invest- ment will be different if you are looking for a machine for 6 months or 3 years. Take good care of your used machine, and you will get the investment at least party back when when you sell it or trade it in.