Monday, February 12, 2018

Tips For Purchasing Boom Trucks

By Jonathan Smith


Buying any used vehicle comes with many challenges. As opposed to a new vehicle, you have to consider so many things or lest you end up with equipment that will stall after a month. Finances might be the main reason for going for a secondhand truck so that you can increase the size of your fleet. Hence, you do not want to spend more money necessarily when buying used boom trucks for sale.

You can easily find a good buy. You cannot tell that if you do not know what to look for. First, you need to decide whether to use a private seller or a dealership. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but the majority of customers prefer the latter. Below are some more tips that you could use.

Understand the purpose for which you need the truck. The manufacturers of boom trucks design these machines for very specific uses. However, there are some models that can perform a myriad of functions. If you visit any yard, you will find a digger derrick, a bucket truck, an aerial lift truck, and even a cherry picker. Hence, know what you need before you set out.

It is recommended that any truck is used for its intended purpose. This will ensure that it lives to its set lifetime and you also save on maintenance cost. Hence, before you buy a truck ensure that it is of the right boom length, size, and weight. If you want one with a bucket or platform, then ensure that it comes with one.

Ensure that the hydraulic system is in perfect condition. Most heavy vehicles are operated using hydraulics, so if this is damaged, it means that the vehicle is useless until it is repaired. These repairs can be very costly, so it is advisable to avoid stalled vehicles that need major repairs. Test the truck and ensure that there are no leaks.

Check past maintenance records. Just because a vehicle is functioning does not mean that it will serve you long enough. What matters is the maintenance and usage history. If the previous owner maintained it properly, then all the paperwork should be available. Lack of maintenance records could be indicative of a problem.

Check if the vehicle meets safety requirements. Heavy industrial vehicles should comply with OSHA standards so read the safety manuals and confirm that the truck has all the requirements. While some issues might be minor and you could easily handle later, pay attention to the major ones such as multiple crane controls, safety harnesses, vehicle outriggers, safety control mechanisms, and non-conductive casing.

Look out for auction days. Most dealerships allow buyers to pace their bids openly. Such deals could see you get a good vehicle at a very good price. However, this requires that you first research on their inventory. Once you know what you are targeting, you can then place a bid and hope that you win.

Once you get the truck you want, have a mechanic look at it. He/she should inspect the engine, mileage and other mechanical issues that you may not have been keen to suspect. This will ensure that you buy a vehicle you are confident with.




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