There are many great benefits to purchasing a pre-owned or low-hour used generator.  Companies that are both large and small routinely purchase generators that are pre-owned units because it is often the most cost-effective way to buy high-quality industrial assets and/or heavy equipment.

To begin, it all starts with choosing the right generator for your specific power requirements. Once you have determined the size you will need, then it’s time to start looking at a number of other factors.

Some of the key factors to consider when buying a used diesel generator are:

• Age, Hours and Usage
• Manufacturer and reputation

Age, Hours, and Usage:
When shopping for a reliable used generator to buy, one of the first things you can try to check is the hours, age and history of the generator set.  First, find out how many hours it has on it, generator and whether it was for the ongoing generation of electric power (prime/continuous), or if it was it a standby machine.  A generator that has been used as a standby or backup power source will typically be better maintained and have much less wear than one used as a prime power source.

Manufacturer History and Reputation:
While the make and model are not always that critical, the generator manufacturer’s history and reputation should definitely play a role when your company is choosing to rely on used machinery.  It’s always a good idea to go with a trusted manufacturer who has a reputation for producing equipment that can stand the stress and test of time, and so you can find parts and service that’s readily available if necessary.  Industry veterans like Cummins, Onan, Kohler, Generac, John Deere, and a handful of others all have a long history of producing high quality equipment that will last for years and years when properly maintained.