What to Consider When Buying a Piling or Drilling Rig

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Every contractor has to buy new equipment, whether because the units he owns don’t fit anymore or because new projects require additional foundation machines. Buying a piling or drilling rig means a serious impact on your budget, though so many comparisons have to be completed  in order to purchase the right equipment. We have listed some aspects worth considering below.

What’s the purpose of the job?

The most important question to be answered is what type of machine is needed. What is the main purpose of the rig you would like to add to your fleet? Depending on these variables, a short list of rigs can be made and more research can be conducted before you make your final decision on purchases. To this end, an exploratory meeting with a sales engineer can be very useful when considering buying new equipment.

What’s your budget?

Although acquiring new foundation equipment means a serious investment, we’d recommend that you look further than the lowest price. Is a brand new machine a must, or do you want to add an overhauled used machine to your fleet? Remember, too, that the purchase price of a rig is not the only cost you have to deal with. Bear in mind the quality of the machine and the condition. In the case of an overhauled machine, remember to check the number of running hours, where the rig is coming from, and what application it was doing – so that you can estimate upcoming service costs.   

What service level do you expect?

After you’ve purchased your rig, the expenditures do not stop. After a certain period of time, parts need to be replaced and maintenance has to be planned. Before you buy foundation equipment, have a look at the price and service level of these aspects and try to forecast the future expenses. It’s also relevant to find out the proximity of a service location and the quality of the first line support, as well as service and repair costs.

What do you expect when the rig is delivered?

A new rig means new features and options. Next to a user manual, we’d recommend that you make sure to have full support on determining how things work upon delivery of the rig. Try to include in your contract some familiarization time for your operator so he gets the best information first hand, and so that he can use the equipment to its full potential.

Of course, there are many other aspects to take into account when buying a new rig. For example, transport regulations, parts availability, and payment structures.