7 Tips for Selling Used Farm Equipment
Every year, new technologies and more efficient machines hit the market, and upgrading your equipment can not only make your farm more profitable, it can also make your job easier and your working day more enjoyable. So what do you do with the old equipment? While you can certainly trade it in to a dealer, you may find it worth your while to sell it yourself. Today’s online marketplaces make it easy to create a listing – but how do you make a sale? Here are seven tips on how to list your equipment and get it sold.
1. Clean & Inspect Your Equipment
Cleaning your equipment is not only essential for photos and video, but also gives you the chance to take a closer look at the surfaces and inner workings of your machine.
While cleaning, note any wear and tear, and if anything needs maintenance, repair, or replacement. You may also want to note the model and serial numbers of your equipment and of any custom or aftermarket parts. These will come in handy when it’s time to write your listing and when answering questions from potential buyers.
2. Research the Market (or Trade It In)
Now that you know the exact model number of your rig and the condition it’s in, it’s time to do some market research to determine a good price for your listing. Search for current listings of your particular model, and note the price, condition, and location, as well as any additional equipment, accessories, or customizations that might affect the price.
What’s an appropriate price for your equipment? Start with listings closest to your location, as they are your most immediate competition. Don’t focus on undercutting them, since you’ll want room to negotiate. Then, factor in the cost of any work that needs to be done on the machine before or after purchase. Add it all up and figure out your bottom line – not just for the unit itself, but also for any other parts, supplies, or services a buyer may ask for, such as delivery.
Does your machine need major repairs? Check with a trusted mechanic to get an estimate. You have three options: repair then sell, sell as-is, or part it out. Consider not just the cost, but also the time required to complete the repair, which will delay your listing date.
If all of this sounds like too much work, you can also reach out to local dealers and see how much they’re willing to offer. You won’t get as much as you would with a private sale; but you’ll be saving time and walking out with money in the bank, all without the hassle of dealing with buyers yourself.
3. Sell at the Right Time of Year
Timing matters when selling farm equipment. Some equipment, like trucks and tractors, are in demand all year round, but other types of machinery are only used during certain times of the year and buyers will not be looking for them after the season is over.
While you can post your listing at any time as soon as you’re ready to sell, depending on the time of year you may get fewer inquiries or lower offers because buyers can bide their time (and not have to deal with storage and maintenance in the meantime).
4. Dig Up Documents and Records
Age and operation hours don’t tell the whole story when it comes to machinery. Besides your proof of ownership, you’ll want to have some documentation of the machine’s service history.
Having a detailed maintenance log lets buyers know the machine is well cared for and that they aren’t inheriting a backlog of overdue service. If you’ve replaced, modified, or upgraded any parts and have the receipts to show for it, they can be factored into pricing.
You’ll also want to talk to your insurance and bank about what kind of paperwork they need from the sale. Likewise, if your equipment is registered, requires a permit, or is plated, you’ll need to prepare for the transfer. Make copies of important documents and keep the originals in a safe place until you’re ready to complete the sale.
5. Take Your Time When Taking Photos and Videos
Clear, well-lit photos attract buyers and show them the condition of the machine as it stands, and lead to firm offers being made. If you’re selling multiple pieces of equipment, make sure to photograph them separately or otherwise clearly identify them in the photos to avoid confusing your buyers.
Because farming equipment can be quite complex, consider shooting a video walkaround of the machine that shows it in operation. You’ll be able to demonstrate any noteworthy or unique features of the machine and potential buyers will be able to see and hear how the machine runs.
While bright sunny days are great for vacation photos, unobstructed sunlight can create harsh glare and stark shadows, which can hide details and make it difficult to get a good image from all angles. Instead, pick a cloudy or overcast day for your photo shoot. The lighting will be more even, and your photos will be more consistent.
6. Write a Listing that You Would Read
While it may be tempting to ask ChatGPT to write your listing and call it a day, the best listings skip the marketing speak, get straight to the point, and tell buyers exactly what they need to know.
Think back to when you first bought the machine. What made you decide on this model in the first place? In other words, what made it the best fit for the job?
Imagine you’re buying a replacement for the unit you’re selling. What catches your eye when you’re skimming through listings? What specific details are you looking for and make you want to investigate further? What would immediately take a listing out of the running?
Then imagine what questions you would ask on the phone. Why are you selling this machine? What’s its condition? What crops and chemicals has it been used with? Is it ready for immediate pickup? Can you deliver? Do you offer financing?
Use your answers to build your listing and it’ll also save you from having to answer the same questions over and over again. Once you’re done, have someone else give it a read to make sure there are no typos and all the information is correct.
7. Respond Quickly to Potential Buyers
Buyers these days are expecting responses within a day – if not sooner. Set a reminder to check your phone for new messages throughout the day so you don’t miss any inquiries. If you’re about to have a busy few weeks, you may want to delay your listing until you have more time to answer calls and arrange test drives.
If you notice that you’re getting the same questions from multiple buyers, update your listing to provide that information up front.
When an offer comes in, ask some questions of your own to make sure the buyer is legitimate. Do they know how the machine works? How will they receive the machine? How are they making payment? Someone genuinely interested in completing the purchase should have ready answers to these questions (or at least know what is involved).
Once numbers are involved, make sure you get written confirmation of the important details so there is no confusion.
Selling farm equipment yourself takes more time and effort than trading it in, but ultimately it means more money in your pocket. By following these tips, your machine will stand out to buyers and get you the best responses to your listing. Want to learn more? Check out Equipment Trader’s articles and guides on the selling process, pricing trends, and how to avoid scams.
Andy Lin
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