There are lots of things to consider when buying farm equipment. Below are some of the common mistakes that people make when purchasing equipment for your farm business, so that you can avoid them.
Going Too Cheap
Farm equipment can be very expensive, but you need to be careful of skimping too much to save money. Very cheap farm equipment is likely to be poorer quality – which means that you’re more likely to run into frequent faults. Paying a little bit more for a newer and more reliable machine could save you money in the long run and save you a lot of stress.
Going Too Complex
It’s important that you know how to use your equipment. Some of the most high-end machines can be very complicated to operate due to their array of controls. Make sure that any machinery you choose is user-friendly so that it doesn’t become a source of frustration. If you only need your equipment to do the most basic tasks, stick to a basic machine with no extra unnecessary features.
Incorrect Storage
Equipment needs to be stored somewhere where it won’t get damaged. Some farms make the mistake of storing equipment outside where it can be easily damaged by the elements. Tarpaulin covers can provide a degree of protection, but in most cases the best form of storage is some kind of roofed structure like a barn. Pole barns are a popular option for tractors and other general equipment. On top of keeping your equipment under shelter, it could be important to keep equipment secure by adding strong locks to doors so that equipment cannot be stolen – agricultural equipment is unfortunately a common target for thieves.
Lack of Lubrication
An essential maintenance task with machinery is lubrication. Regularly adding lubricants to machines will stop moving parts from seizing up and ultimately extend the life of your equipment. One of the biggest reasons that machinery ends up having to be scrapped is because of wear and tear to parts – some of which can premature simply due to lack of lubrication. Make sure to stock up on lubricants and schedule lubrication into your diary of equipment maintenance tasks.
Delaying Repairs
One of the most costly mistakes that farms make is delaying repairs to equipment. Machinery faults may become worse over time and have knock-on effects on other parts. Thi could lead to more future problems that may not have occurred had you repaired the machine early. Equipment breakdowns can also cost you money in downtime. If you’re on a tight schedule to sew seeds or plough the fields, losing a few days of work because your tractor has broken down could be disastrous. Make sure that you and anyone else working on your farm makes a note of any faults and that repairs are made as soon as possible to avoid bigger future problems. Knowing someone that can repair your equipment could be useful as some machinery repairs may not be a DIY fix.
