purchase of agricultural machinery

When they talk aboutpurchase of agricultural machinery, many people immediately think about the budget, discounts, models. But in reality, this is more of a story about understanding what exactly you are buying and why. A common mistake is to chase a “brand” or “new”, without assessing how this machine will fit into your cycle of work, into your fields, into your logistics. We also went through this on our farm: we once bought a universal cultivator “on advice?”, but it simply skidded on our heavy loams - the power was not the same, the weight was distributed incorrectly. I had to sell at a loss and look for another option. Since then the approach has changed.

Where does the choice begin: not a catalog, but a field

The first thing I do now is go out into the field with an agronomist and a mechanic. We look not at paper characteristics, but at the real condition: slope, rockiness, run length, soil type. For example, if the soils are light and the races are long, you can take equipment with a wide grip to reduce the time. But if the fields are scattered, with turns and narrow entrances, the wide-cutting unit will become a burden. Here you are no longer thinking about productivity under ideal conditions, but about how much time it will take to maneuver and move.

Then we analyze the park. What already exists, what resource is left with the old equipment. Sometimes it's better not to buy a new oneagricultural machinery?from scratch?, and buy a module or attachment for an existing tractor. But this is if the base car is in good condition and has a sufficient towing class. We had a case when we tried to install a modern baler on an old tractor - according to the data sheet there seemed to be enough power, but the hydraulics did not work and constantly overheated. The result is downtime and repairs. Conclusion: node compatibility is a separate topic that will not be appreciated in the office.

And one more thing - seasonality. If equipment is needed for a narrow window of work (say, for harvesting root crops), then perhaps it is more logical not to buy it, but to rent it or order the services of a contractor. But this is only if the contractor is reliable and meets the deadlines. We once got into trouble: we agreed to harvest potatoes with a combine, and the contractor broke down at the height of the season - he was saving his fields. Our losses were significant. Since then, we have been trying to have at least a minimum fleet of our own for critical operations.

Suppliers: not only dealers, but also manufacturers

Previously, we worked mainly through dealerships - it’s convenient, there is service, spare parts are delivered. But prices are often inflated, and it’s difficult to choose the equipment configuration that suits your needs—they offer what’s in stock. Then we discovered the option of direct contacts with manufacturers, especially when it comes to specialized machines. For example, for the preparation of feed we considered equipment fromHulunbuir Machinery Manufacturing Company ?Jiujia?. Looked at their websitecn-fascar.ru— it is clear that the enterprise is complex, engaged in research, production, and service. This is important: if the manufacturer itself conducts the development, there is a greater chance that the equipment will be adapted to real-life tasks, and not just assembled from a catalog of components.

What attracted them to their approach was their willingness to discuss modifications. We wrote a request about a forage harvester: we needed certain settings for wet corn. In response, we received not just a commercial proposal, but technical comments on which components needed to be strengthened, which engine was better to install. It felt like you were talking not with a sales manager, but with an engineer who was in the know. True, the production time for such orders is longer—we had to wait almost a season. But it was worth it.

By the way, about the service. Whenpurchase of agricultural machineryA foreign manufacturer always has a question: what about the service? From ?Jiujia? We agreed that they provide training for our mechanics, and also created a warehouse for the most popular spare parts. This reduced the risk of downtime. Not ideal, of course - sometimes we wait 2-3 weeks for a specific part. But compared to some other brands, where spare parts take 2-3 months, this is acceptable.

Finance: consider not only the purchase price

Budget is, of course, a key constraint. But it is not the price in the catalog that should be considered, but the total cost of ownership over the entire service life. This includes: fuel (consumption can vary greatly between different models of the same power), oils and filters, spare parts (their availability and price), operator’s salary (if the equipment is complex, a more qualified and expensive specialist is needed). We once bought an economical, at first glance, seeder - 15% cheaper than its analogues. But over three seasons, almost the same amount was spent on repairing remote hydraulic cylinders and changing coulters. The result is an overpayment.

Now we often consider leasing, especially for expensive units. This allows you not to immediately withdraw large sums from circulation. But there are also pitfalls here: you need to carefully look at the payment schedule, terms of redemption, liability for breakdowns during the contract period. Once we almost faced penalties due to the fact that we did not complete maintenance on time - according to the contract, this was our responsibility, but we missed it. Now we read all the terms and conditions down to the commas.

And one more thing about the resource. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy used equipment in good condition than to buy new, but less reliable. But here you need either your own competent mechanic for diagnostics, or an agreement with a service company for a pre-sale inspection. This is how we bought a tractor for plowing - 30% cheaper than a new one, after the engine was overhauled. I've already skated for five seasons without any serious problems. But this is a lottery; you shouldn’t get into it without an expert assessment.

Integration into the process: equipment should work, not stand still

Buying is half the battle. It is important that the equipment fits into the technological chain. For example, we bought a powerful fertilizer spreader. But it turned out that our logistics system (loading, transportation to the fields) does not have time to load it - it empties the bunker too quickly. We had to rearrange the drivers’ work schedule and buy an additional loader. It’s a small thing, but without it, the performance of the new machine dropped by half.

Another aspect is data. Modernagricultural machineryoften equipped with sensors and GPS. This is good for precision farming, but it requires software, a specialist for data analysis and, importantly, compatibility with other systems on the farm. We implemented a fuel monitoring system for combines - the data went into one program. And the data on production from the same combines is sent to another source, from the manufacturer. Bringing them together manually is a headache. Now, when purchasing, we immediately stipulate the possibility of integrating data into our single platform, or choose equipment with open protocols.

And of course, people. The most advanced equipment can be ruined in a season if the operator is not trained or does not care about it. So now it's worthprocurementWe immediately begin training operators. Sometimes we even send them to the manufacturer, if possible. How was it with the sameHulunbuir Machinery Manufacturing Company ?Jiujia?— they conducted a week-long training for our guys. The difference ?before? and ?after? noticeable: the consumption is less, and there are almost no breakdowns due to the operator’s fault.

Summary: not an ideal car, but a suitable one

So why am I doing all this?Purchase of agricultural machinery- this is not a one-time deal, but part of the management strategy. There is no perfect car for all occasions. There is equipment that best meets your specific needs, taking into account soil, climate, personnel and finances.

Now, looking back at our fleet, I see that the most successful purchases are those where we spent more time on preparation: we went around the fields, calculated all the indirect costs, talked with mechanics and operators, found a manufacturer who was ready to delve into our tasks, like the same?Jiujia?. Yes, it takes longer than just coming to the dealership and choosing from what is available. But in the long term, it is more reliable and, paradoxically, more economical.

Therefore, my advice is to start not by looking at catalogs, but by analyzing your processes. What is the “bottleneck”? Where are the biggest wastes of time or resources? By answering these questions, you will already be 50% clear on what kind oftechnologyyou need. And then look for who can provide it - be it a large global brand or a specialized manufacturer ready for dialogue. The main thing is not to be afraid to ask questions and demand solutions according to your own conditions. After all, you are buying a tool for work, not a toy for show.