For the winter feeding season, the option of buying a telescopic loader might be on the horizon. The trouble is that these machines don’t come cheap, and sometimes it may be hard to justify the investment.

On the other side of this argument is the fact that most farmers who have invested in this type of machine have no regrets, claiming that it has become the busiest machine in the yard.

If a new machine is beyond your budget for this year, we have gone through our website www.toplink.ie to highlight some clean secondhand examples.

What to look out for on secondhand machines:

  • First impressions do matter. The overall condition of a secondhand telehandler’s cab and general cosmetics says a lot about its previous owner or owners.
  • Have a good root around the engine bay area, looking for oil leaks, fuel leaks and coolant leaks. If the machine is cold, check there is coolant in the radiator. A lack of it could mean there is a leak and/or engine heating problems. If there is a glass bowl on the fuel filter, check it is not full of gunge.
  • It is likely that one of the deciding factors in a machine being sold is that its tyres are worn out. This needs to be factored in when purchasing a secondhand machine, so price around beforehand so you are not surprised by replacement costs.
  • Track and tie rods do wear, and on a four-wheel-steer machine there are four of each. Ensure all are in good condition before fitting any new tyres.
  • On artic steer telehandlers, the artic pivot point bushings or bearings will wear, especially without regular greasing. Again, price a repair if buying privately or get it done as part of the deal if purchasing from a dealer.
  • Check boom pins and bushings for wear, especially the implement carriage.
  • Regular lubrication is the life of boom slides/wear pads. Depending on manufacturer, there may be adjusters or shims to take up any slack. Badly worn slides will need replacing though.
  • Have a good look around under the prospective secondhand machine, looking in particular for leaks, but also wear in drive shafts and braking mechanisms. Test both the service brake and handbrake function.
  • Axle leak on four-wheel-steer versions are not generally serious so long as the axle or hub oil is not let run. Leaks do need to be rectified and are not generally too expensive.
  • Examine hydraulic pipes for damage, particularly those on the boom and extending section, if possible. It’s no easy task to replace a hydraulic pipe inside a telescopic boom (and not cheap either).