Every business needs a reliable power plan. Whether you’re backing up critical infrastructure, powering a job site, or ensuring your agricultural operation runs smoothly, a generator is a necessity.
But let’s be realistic, new industrial generators are a significant capital expense. For many businesses, especially those watching their budgets closely, the cost of a brand-new unit can put operational backup power out of reach.
This is where pre-owned power comes in. A high-quality, low-hour used generator often offers the best balance of performance, reliability, and value. If you’ve been hesitant about buying “used,” there are a few reasons why it might be the smartest investment you make this year.
Debunking the Myths: “Used” Does Not Mean “Worn Out”
When people hear “used equipment,” they often think of something nearing the end of its life. That might be true for a used car, but industrial generators are different.
These machines are engineered to run for tens of thousands of hours. A generator that has been used strictly for standby power, perhaps running only for weekly tests and the occasional outage, has barely been broken in.
Consider a recent call we received from a university laboratory. They were consolidating operations and needed to sell a 48kW natural gas generator installed in 2022. It had been started only 25 times and had just 17.9 total hours of runtime. It was essentially a new machine, but available at a pre-owned price. This is the kind of quality we see regularly in the used market.
The Business Case for Pre-Owned Generators
When you choose a vetted, used generator, you gain two major advantages:
1. Significant Cost Savings
Buying used allows you to get more power for your budget. This was crucial for a contractor who recently contacted us. They needed a smaller, efficient diesel unit for their spray foam reactor but had a strict budget. A new unit wasn’t feasible. By exploring used options, we were able to help them find a reliable 35kW diesel generator that met their power needs without breaking the bank.
Freeing up that capital allows you to invest in other areas of your business, making the used generator a smarter financial move overall.
2. Immediate Availability
When you need power, you usually need it now. New generators often come with factory lead times that can stretch for weeks or even months. Our used inventory is inspected, tested, and ready to ship. If you have an urgent need or a tight project deadline, a high-quality used unit already on our lot can save your timeline.
How to Buy Used With Confidence
The key to getting value from a used generator is knowing what you are buying and who you are buying it from. Not all used equipment is created equal. Here’s what separates a risk from a smart investment:
- Load Bank Testing: Reputable suppliers don’t just turn the key and call it good. We rigorously load bank test our units to ensure they perform under pressure and deliver the rated power.
- Maintenance History and Hour Verification: Knowing how a generator was maintained is just as important as its runtime hours. We prioritize units with clear maintenance histories.
- Expert Consultation: As we saw with our farm supply customer who needed a 150kW unit on a tight budget, it takes an expert eye to match the right used unit to the specific application and budget.
Find Your Power Solution
Don’t let a new-only mindset limit your options or strain your budget. At Generator Source, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality, thoroughly vetted used generators that provide exceptional reliability and value.
Ready to explore your options? Browse our current inventory of used generators or contact our team to find the right fit for your budget.