Are Used Dump Trucks Good Value?

If you are in the construction business then you will know how capital-intensive this business can be for equipment and vehicles . Which is why most construction business people with a limited amount of capital, manage their finances in a creative way . For instance, they buy used dump trucks instead of buying new vehicles.

The company’s dump trucks are used to transport and deposit huge quantities of materials and large objects on jobs the company have acquired. Nowadays, most dump trucks are automated and the dumping work can be handled by just the driver .

Such vehicles are essential to the company, they just about are the business. But, dump trucks are an expensive capital investment , and buying new takes a long time to recoup their cost .

So, buying brand new dump trucks can tie up a great deal of capital expense. And, particularly in today’s economic climate , such expenditure is just not feasible and would impact on the cash flow and operations of the business.

So, what does the shrewd business owner do ?

They buy good used dump trucks for the business, and retain enough banked cash to tide them over until the next job payments come in.

Costs
New dump trucks can be very expensive. Vehicles could cost a company hundreds of thousands of dollars, and for a very large heavy dump truck, you could be looking at costs in the millions.

Some used dump trucks can be bought for around $3,500, depending on the size and type of truck. At the other end of the scale, a set of tires for a large truck could cost around £30,000. Sometimes, it could make more economical logic to purchase a used dump truck rather than to purchase a new set of tires.

Buying Tips
Purchasing used dump trucks could help out with any temporary cash-flow problems of the business, but the opposite is true if you are not cautious. So, here are some tips for buying used vehicles.

A visual inspection may not be good enough. You should always try out the vehicle. Run the truck through its paces with a test drive, and test out all of its functions .

After the test drive and functions, check for leaks . When a vehicle has just been operating is when these types of defects tend to show up. Check the hoses and valves . Try to listen to the truck when it is running for some time. Notice any unusual smells like burning oil or shorted circuits. If the vehicle is newly-painted, check for hidden rust patches .

Do all the controls work properly? Do the hydraulics sound right? What about the control display – is it fully functional? Expect modest defects in a used dump truck, that’s part of the reason for the low price. Anything you find incorrect that the seller has not revealed to you – use it to negotiate on price.

Ultimately, you have to consider the pro’s and con’s of buying used dump trucks from either reputable dealers or from owners. You can get warranties from dealers, but not owners. However, if buying from an owner, you can find out the history of the vehicle, and expect to pay a far lower price than at dealers.