All farmers want to own and operate a more profitable farm.
The challenge is…farm expenses continue to rise while farm prices continue to decline. With margins being stretched in every direction, farmers are starting to scrutinize how they spend their money.
They are realizing that every dollar matters.
A farm’s biggest expenses are often equipment related.
Whether you rent or own, machinery costs play a huge role in your bottom line. That’s why having a strategic approach to equipment can mean the difference between a farm that thrives and one that merely survives. A lot of that comes down to one simple choice…
Buying new farm equipment vs buying used equipment.
Let’s take a closer look…
What You’ll Learn:
- Why Your Equipment Strategy Should Be Top Of Mind
- How Bad Equipment Decisions Stack Up Over Time
- How To Use Used Equipment To Grow Your Farm
- Where To Find A Used Combine Harvester For Sale
- Strategies To Get More Mileage Out Of Equipment
Why Your Equipment Strategy Should Be Top Of Mind
Farmers are wrestling with declining profit margins like never before.
The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that 2025 production expenses will reach $467 billion. That’s up $85 billion from the previous 10-year average. What’s even worse is cash prices for crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat have plummeted from where they were just last year.
Margins couldn’t be tighter.
Crop prices are outside of your control. However, how you choose to spend your money is not. Too many farmers overlook their equipment strategy. Why spend money on machinery when you could be investing in inputs, labor, or land?
Here’s the thing…
If equipment is going to rob you of profit then you should know why those machines are on your farm. Each piece of equipment should have a purpose and that means maximizing the dollars you spend on machinery.
How Bad Equipment Decisions Stack Up Over Time
If you guessed that equipment expenses were one of the leading causes of low profit farms…you would be correct.
Typically, lower profit farms spend too much money on equipment that isn’t aligned to their actual production needs. When buying new farm equipment, it’s easy to get sucked into the excitement of new technology and features that your farm may or may not need.
Not only does this impact the farm’s upfront costs but depreciations, interest (if financed), repairs, insurance and maintenance on equipment add up quickly. Especially maintenance. Farm equipment parts have also increased at an astronomical rate.
The moral of the story is…dumping money into farm equipment that doesn’t necessarily help you produce more food or do it more efficiently is a quick way to kill your farm’s profit.
How Used Equipment Can Help You Grow Your Farm
Used farm equipment is the secret weapon producers didn’t know they needed.
It wasn’t that long ago that buying used farm equipment was looked down upon. Most farmers aspired to own the latest model of machinery. But times have changed.
Farmers are spending less on new equipment than they have in years. In fact, Farm Progress reports that large farm equipment sales were down approximately 35% to 45% during 2025.
Buyers are taking advantage of dealers who need to move inventory before the new 2026 models arrive in showrooms.
If you know what to look for, the ability to purchase a 8250 combine from a trusted dealer could save you thousands of dollars when compared to buying new.
When you purchase new farm equipment, you’re buying premium prices. You’re paying top dollar for the latest bells and whistles (many of which you may never use). That means buying used equipment can greatly increase your farm’s bottom line by lowering your overhead.
Plus, if you know what you’re looking for a pre-owned combine could offer the same capacity and functionality of a new machine.
Let’s dig into…
Where To Find A Used Combine Harvester For Sale
Searching for a used combine harvester for sale is pretty simple when you know where to look.
However, there are a few steps you can take that will not only save you money but help you select the right piece of equipment for your operation.
Begin with understanding what your operation really needs. Are you growing corn? Or maybe you have a mix of soybeans, corn, and wheat. The crops you plan on harvesting should help determine the size and capabilities of the machine you’re going to buy.
How many acres do you need to harvest? What type of terrain are you working with? What features are you going to need vs. want? By asking these questions first you avoid paying for extras you won’t use.
From there you can do your homework. Combines can vary greatly on price based on make, model, location and overall condition. Searching multiple dealerships for the combine you want will help weed out the ones overpricing their inventory.
Finally, pay attention to who you’re buying from.
Purchasing a used combine harvester from a reputable farm equipment dealer will allow you to know the history of the machine. A trusted dealer should stand behind their equipment because their reputation is on the line as well. Don’t be afraid to take your business elsewhere if you don’t feel comfortable.
Patience is key. The right combine at a great price will come along. You just shouldn’t overpay because you want it now.
Strategies To Get More Mileage Out Of Equipment
Once you dial-in your approach to equipment your farm will be in great shape. But what about all of the equipment you already own?
Here are four strategies that can help your current farm equipment earn you more money.
Know what machines you really need. Too many farms have equipment just because they got it at a good price. If you aren’t using it to produce food get rid of it.
Keep them maintained. Staying on top of your machines with basic maintenance will help prolong the life of your equipment and save you money when harvest rolls around. There’s nothing worse than your tractor breaking down while you’re trying to plant.
Know your cost per acre. Every machine on your farm should earn its keep. By knowing how much it actually costs to run that machine will allow you to make smarter decisions moving forward.
Time your purchases. Wait until late winter or even early spring to make your big equipment purchases. You’d be surprised at how much you can save by waiting a few months.
Equipment doesn’t have to be the enemy. Whether you buy it used or brand new how you manage that equipment will dictate your farm’s success.
Bottom Line
Farmers want to increase their farm profits. But with input costs at an all-time high and farm prices at an all-time low, farmers are running out of areas to cut costs.
Purchasing used farm equipment and or machinery is one way to give your farm a financial advantage. Buying a quality used combine harvester for sale from a trusted farm equipment dealer can save you money by:
- Keeping more money in your pocket
- Lower depreciation costs
- Reducing your risk
Many farmers have reduced their costs by simply changing their mindset on how they buy equipment.