Buying farming machinery isn’t something you rush. It’s a major investment that directly affects your productivity, your working hours, and your long-term costs. Still, plenty of farmers make the same missteps. They either jump at the cheapest deal, get caught up in specs, or trust the wrong seller.
If you’re thinking of upgrading or expanding your machinery, take a step back first. These are the most common mistakes buyers make — and why avoiding them could save you a lot of time and stress.
- Not Choosing a Reputable Brand
The name on the side of your machinery matters more than some might admit. It’s not just about prestige or color. A trusted brand means better parts availability, more reliable servicing, and long-term support. That directly impacts your uptime during crucial periods.
Kubota dealers Perth are a strong example of this. Their presence in regional areas, wide parts network, and consistently reliable equipment make them a safe bet. Picking a well-supported brand reduces downtime and gives you peace of mind when things go wrong, because eventually, they will.
- Overlooking After-Sales Support
Many buyers focus so heavily on the sale that they forget to ask, “What happens if something goes wrong?”
A good deal quickly turns bad if parts take weeks to arrive or local mechanics aren’t trained to work on your model. Before buying, it’s essential to understand what support is available in your area. That includes warranties, servicing response times, and access to technicians who know the machine inside out.
Poor after-sales support usually shows itself when you can least afford the delay, like in the middle of harvest. And by then, it’s too late.
- Letting Price Be the Only Deciding Factor
It’s tempting to grab the cheapest option and hope for the best, especially when budgets are tight. But with machinery, low upfront costs can lead to high long-term expenses.
Cheaper models often mean weaker construction, fewer features, and more maintenance. Repairs add up, not just in money but in lost time. On the other end, some expensive machines come loaded with features you might never use.
The better question to ask is: What gives you the best value over time? Consider fuel usage, durability, and resale value. Don’t just look at the sticker price.
- Choosing the Wrong Machine for the Job
Just because something worked well on a neighbor’s farm doesn’t mean it’ll suit yours.
Machinery needs to match your specific workload, terrain, and crop types. A machine that’s too small will be constantly pushed to its limit, leading to early wear. Too large, and it becomes awkward, wasteful, and costly to run.
Before you even speak to a dealer, get clear on what jobs the machine needs to handle. Think about your land’s layout, your crops, and the frequency of use. That clarity will save you from buying something that struggles to keep up or is too much for your needs.
- Not Planning for Future Growth
Farming changes. Your machinery needs might not look the same in five years.
If you’re planning to expand acreage, diversify crops, or change your production setup, factor that into your current purchase. A machine that’s ideal for today’s workload might fall short as your operation grows. And replacing machinery sooner than expected usually costs more than buying slightly above your current needs now.
A bit of future thinking goes a long way. Buying with growth in mind helps avoid the trap of short-term savings and long-term regret.
- Skipping the Test Run
You can’t judge a machine properly by looking at it in a shed. Or by watching a video. Or by reading a spec sheet.
A proper test drive, preferably on your own land, gives you real insight into how it handles, how comfortable it is, and how well it performs under load. These are things you can’t guess from technical specs alone.
Pay attention to how it starts, how it shifts, the visibility from the cab, and how noisy it is when working. Is maintenance access easy? Are the controls intuitive? You’ll be using this machine for hours at a time — it needs to work with you, not against you.
- Underestimating Operator Comfort
There’s no medal for enduring discomfort.
Long days in poorly designed machinery take their toll. If the seat’s rubbish, visibility is poor, or controls are fiddly, you’ll feel it in your back, your knees, and your patience. That’s not just inconvenient, it slows you down.
Modern machines are built with comfort in mind, and it’s worth looking for those features. Think better suspension, air conditioning, ergonomic layouts, and quieter cabins. These are not luxury extras — they improve performance by reducing fatigue and frustration.
- Trusting the Wrong Dealer
Even if the machine is great, a bad dealer can ruin the experience.
A good dealer listens, offers genuine advice, and provides real support after the sale. A bad one disappears the moment the paperwork is signed. You want someone you can go back to, someone who knows your name and has access to the right parts when needed.
Take time to research who you’re buying from. Ask around. Word travels quickly in rural areas, and reputations are usually well-earned.
- Ignoring Ease of Maintenance
Some machines are built with maintenance in mind. Others make it feel like brain surgery.
If basic tasks like greasing points, checking fluids, or changing filters are hard to do, those jobs get delayed or skipped. That leads to breakdowns, downtime, and expensive call-outs.
Look for machines that are easy to service. Clear labelling, sensible component placement, and no need for special tools… these details make all the difference in the long run.
- Forgetting Resale Value
You won’t keep the same machine forever. Whether you’re upgrading or changing direction, eventually you’ll want to sell or trade it in.
Machines from reliable brands, with solid maintenance records and fewer hours, hold their value far better than off-brand or neglected gear. Even paint condition, tire wear, and service logs can impact the resale price.
Buy smart now, and it’ll be easier to upgrade later without a huge cost gap
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Buying the wrong machine is more than a bad day; it’s a decision that lingers. Every breakdown, every late start, every awkward maneuver in a tight paddock becomes a reminder that something wasn’t quite right.
The best equipment makes work easier. It saves you time. It lets you focus on farming, not fixing. And that’s what you really want out of any piece of machinery: a partner that pulls its weight without complaint.
