More than a few lawn maintenance professionals and groundskeepers rely on used equipment either as front line workhorses or as dependable backups. When properly maintained and upgraded, used equipment can be nearly as effective as equipment fresh off the assembly line, at much less the cost. The kicker? If not approached with caution and more than a little up front knowledge, buying used equipment can end up costing the new owner more, much more, than he or she anticipated.

In the hustle and bustle of the busy season, it's not unusual to overlook some things or simply put others on a back burner. If safety is one of those things, then you're operating a very risky business, chancing not only the safety of your employees but your customers, as well.