While your great-grandparents may have been able to farm with just a few acres of land, draft power, and horse-drawn implements, running any successful agribusiness today requires managing a lot more acreage in order to earn a profit and remain in business. Whether it is plowing and planting crops to sell, or mowing and baling hay to fatten cattle, most modern day farmers must now rely on the use of mechanized farm equipment to be successful.

But as tractors and other farm machinery has become more advanced, the costs of buying them has also risen dramatically, with some new tractors and farm machines now costing several hundred thousand dollars or more. If new equipment is not affordable for your farming operation, choosing to purchase good used farm equipment can be a much better option and these tips can help:

Conduct a careful visual inspection 

Unlike your car or truck, most large tractors and other pieces of farm equipment are not used daily. Instead, they may only be used during a specific season or time, such as when planting, baling hay, or combining wheat. When not in use, some of these machines may have been parked outside in all types of weather or have been damaged by rodents or other pests, who will chew on wiring, upholstery, and other parts of the machine. 

To be sure you do not purchase a piece of farm equipment that has been damaged by weather, rodents, or other causes, always perform a careful inspection of each tractor or farm implement you are interested in. Remember to take along a flashlight to help you be able to view the engine and other components. If you do not perform your own maintenance and repairs on farm machinery, consider bringing along a knowledgeable service professional to help you with this process. 

Obtain copies of all repair and maintenance records

In addition to the visual inspection, always ask to see the equipment in action and obtain a copy of all repair and maintenance records for each piece of used farm equipment you are viewing. Farm machinery that has been well-maintained will have had regular tune-ups, oil and hydraulic filter changes, as well as hose and belt replacement when needed. Checking the condition of the tires is also wise, as their replacement cost is often several hundred dollars or more. 

To ensure that any used farm equipment you purchase will be a wise investment for your agribusiness venture, make sure that you purchase only from a reputable used farm equipment dealer. Contact a company like Big Springs Equipment for more information and assistance.