What To Consider When Selling Used Farm Trucks
When you’re trying to sell your used farm truck, you’ll find there are some differences when compared to listing other commercial vehicles for sale. There are specific agriculture requirements that buyers need to fulfill, and properly advertising your truck to them will help you sell faster and for the right price.
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What trucks are used on farms and for agriculture?
Virtually every type of truck plays some role in agriculture, so even if you don’t think of your used truck as being specifically a “farm truck,” it could very well be considered one to someone who works on farms. Many people just think of pickup trucks, but medium-duty trucks, dump trucks, and even semi trucks are used in agriculture, with those largest ones handling big jobs such as collecting and transferring grain or dry corn. If you’re selling a big truck but haven’t considered the agricultural market, you should look into advertising there and familiarize yourself with the types of commercial vehicles used for farm work.
What’s the best time to sell a used farm truck?
There are some “best times” to sell a used farm truck, such as well before preparation and planting season starts. This is when many farmers have some time to assess their needs and look at buying a truck, and you should start prepping and advertising your truck during the off season. That doesn’t mean it’s the only time, though.
Throughout the growing and harvest season, farmers may find that a vehicle needs to be replaced right away and they just can’t wait. Overall, the best time to advertise your truck may be when you need to immediately sell it. What’s most important is that you have the time to talk to prospective buyers and show them the truck. Don’t start advertising at a time when you’re too busy to sell it. If your farm practices biosecurity, you may want to arrange to take the truck offsite if someone wants to see it.
What information should your advertisement contain?
Trucks for agriculture are often used for specific jobs, such as pulling implements, towing horse trailers, or carrying bales. In addition to listing the usual specs such as engine size and transmission, you’ll also want to mention such information as rear axle ratio, bed length, and any extra features such as a heavy-duty cooling system or PTO. When describing towing and payload, don’t just use the numbers the truck manufacturer lists in its advertising, which are almost always the highest rating across the entire model line.
You need to describe your truck’s specific capacity, and if you don’t know it, you may have to take it to a weigh scale to determine its actual curb weight. That may sound like a lot of trouble, but this is an industry where capacity can really make a difference. Also explain why you’re selling the truck, such as it’s not large enough to handle new tasks you’re doing, so people don’t wonder if it’s a problematic vehicle. Know who you’re selling to and the top trucks for beginner farmers so you can confirm the buyer is making a purchase based on their specific agricultural needs.
What pictures do you need to take for your advertisement?
When selling a used farm truck, there is no such thing as “too many pictures.” Your photos and videos should be the equivalent of a prospective buyer doing a complete walkaround in person. Photograph it from all angles; show the engine and underside; and show everything in the cabin. Pay special attention to areas that people are most likely to check for rust, such as cab corners or inner fenders. If the truck has any special features, be sure to highlight them. Include a photo of the odometer to back up your mileage claim in the ad.
How do you get your truck ready to sell?
It’s important to clean it thoroughly. Farm trucks work in some pretty dirty environments and you need to get all of that out, including power-washing the undercarriage. Even if the next owner is going to take it straight back out to the fields or the stable, a clean truck can bring more money, especially if buyers don’t have to wonder what’s under all that dried-on dirt. Clean the cabin just as thoroughly, which could include steam-cleaning the carpets or fabric upholstery, if the truck has either one. Clean the dash, the glass, and if the truck has flip-up rear seats, spiff up the storage bins under them. And of course, make sure all of your belongings are out of the truck.
Do you use dyed diesel?
If you’ve never run the truck as a road vehicle and it has dyed diesel in the tank, you’ll need to use it up or drain it, in case your buyer plans to use it on the road. Depending on the rules in your jurisdiction, it may not even be possible for the buyer to legally drive the truck home with that tax-free fuel in it. If you do this ahead of time, you won’t have any issue when it’s time for the truck to leave.
Is all the paperwork ready?
Assemble all the paperwork, including the title, service records, and any information if there is still any warranty coverage on the truck. If you financed and paid it off, have that paperwork to prove there’s no lien on it. Include the owner’s manual, if you have it. Anything that will be useful to the new owner should go with the truck.
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Have you set the price?
You will want to set a price that’s fair but still gives you some wiggle room for negotiation. Check advertisements for similar trucks, but remember that these are asking prices and may not be what the truck eventually sold for. If your truck is better than most in terms of its condition or its features, be sure to highlight that to justify what you’re asking. In some cases, it may be worth it to have the truck appraised so you know what it’s worth. Once everything’s ready, run your ad and get ready to sell.
Jil McIntosh
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