Can you be overheard uttering the phrase, “They don’t make them like they used to?” It’s no surprise that many agree with you. What’s outdated to you is just the ticket for someone else, and this is why you should look at your old machinery as a way to fund a decent percentage of the new equipment you’ll replace it with. If you don’t think your machinery is worth all that much, keep reading.
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The make and model might be highly desirable.
Being individuals, we all have our preferences. Thinking back throughout your life, what was your favorite car? What was it about that car that just felt right to you? Later in life, many of us end up going back and repurchasing cars we had or admired when we were younger. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s familiarity, personal style, ease of use, and many other factors.
Today, many people end up buying used machinery for the same reasons. Consider one of history’s most iconic tractors: the John Deere 4020. It hasn’t been in production since 1972, and they made less than 200,000 of them. But people still want them, and will buy some editions for nearly as much as they cost more than 40 years ago.
It’s more familiar to some people.
The technology age isn’t for everyone. This is especially true for those with lifelong careers in agriculture, who like to maintain and repair their own machinery. That’s why farmers go out of their way looking for heavy equipment auctions.
When you buy new machinery, you’re looking at something with built-in computers and sensors. For many people experienced in their industry, this means they suddenly have to rely on the manufacturer instead of their own two hands. It might be fine by you and others, but an increasing number regret these advances. They want to go back to the “analog” versions, and that’s where your old machinery comes in.
The parts can be as valuable as the machine itself.
What about the hardcore fans of certain makes and models who already have their own? That doesn’t mean they don’t want yours, too. Certain parts for old machinery can be hard to come by, and that’s when buying another used copy makes a lot of sense.
Keep that in mind if your old equipment isn’t running so great. There’s no telling who would want the body and many other components inside. You wouldn’t even necessarily have to break it down and sell it off piece by piece at auction; it’s the perfect solution for those who are looking for replacement parts for heavy equipment and want to tinker with their equipment and keep it running for years to come
Don’t ask what your old machinery is worth to you – ask what it’s worth to someone else. Does that piece have a great reputation and an avid fan base that’s interested in keeping it around? Does it harken back to an era where repair and maintenance were completely accessible to the worker? Is it useful to those who want to repair their old machinery? If you can answer yes to any of these three questions, your machinery belongs at an auction, not the landfill.
About Carson Derrow
