Farm machinery: how to invest in the best

Managing a farm is hard enough. The last thing you want is not to have the right machinery in place to help you run it properly. Whether this is a tractor, a plough or a cultivator, having the right tools with which to work the land is key to having a successful farming business.

Aside from being bulky, farm machinery is expensive and it needs to be regularly maintained in order for it to comply with health and safety policies. To make sure your job is made easier, below we have outlined a number of ways to ensure you get the best, and only the best, farm machinery for your needs.

Think about the size of the machinery to be purchased

This might be one of the trickiest decisions when purchasing farm machinery. The number of acres in your land, the number of these you and your employees, if you have any, will be able to complete in a day, the weather conditions and the number of days between two different crops will be determinant in deciding which size machinery to purchase. If you don’t have enough crop acres, you might not need machinery that is extremely sophisticated. Similarly, if you are a startup, you might not need the most expensive machinery yet. Read this article for further information on how to estimate the field capacity of farm machines.

Where do I buy farm machinery?

If you decide to go and buy your farm machinery from a manufacturer, make sure this is still in business. You might find that they offer you a good deal but this might be because they are no longer building the parts for the model you are about to purchase. Ultimately, if you wish to purchase machinery at a reduced price (if you are a startup this might be your preferred option) there are local truck auctions where you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

You should take into account the equipment features required

Regardless of what it is you will use the machinery for, you should make sure you purchase vehicles that will be great for each job. Decide whether these will be used for organic or nonorganic farming and talk to farmers in the area to see what they purchased for which tasks. Technology in the agricultural industry hasn’t changed much since the old days and this means you will be able to do a large amount of research by asking older generations of farmers. Get out there and network!

Purchasing farm machinery needn’t be a challenge. If you know the size of the machinery you wish to buy as well as the features this needs to have in order to be of use in your land, then the only thing you have to do is visit a manufacturer or an auction if you want this to be significantly cheaper.

** This is a collaborative post