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You will do better if you don't think of one particular machine as "yours" before the bidding even starts. Try to look at, and be prepared to bid on, several different machines. Have a firm bidding limit set for each one, and walk away if the price gets above that. There will be more Ritchie Bros auctions in the future. Ritchie will let you operate the equipment out in their yard in the days before the auction. You should take full advantage of this. Bring along someone that has used that model before. It will be difficult for you to tell if the torque converter is weak or the loader too sloppy, if you don't know how one is "supposed" to feel. Someone that is experienced with that model can tell within 5 to 10 minutes. You need to understand how to evaluate the undercarriage, and the amount of adjustment left in it. Many Ritchie tracked machines look good on first glance, but an evaluation of the track adjuster reveals the undercarriage is down to <10% remaining life. The pins and bushings are likely to be worn and sloppy. Move the loader through the full operating range and decide if you can live with it. If the engine has locked access doors, you won't be able to open them for inspection unless you bring in your own key. Ritchie Bros uses a cable lock to chain the key to the start switch area so it doesn't get lost. Usually, all machines take the same key and you can buy one from the dealer and bring it in. Check the engine oil level over a couple days, if you have the option to visit the auction yard easily. If the engine is using a lot of oil, or if it has a problem with diesel fuel getting into the crankcase, you will be able to tell. Run the machine in forward and reverse, and bang the shuttle shift back and forth. Make sure the trans is not slipping as you switch directions. This is a high wear item on any loader. You don't want to get stuck with a machine with a trans that is worn out the day you buy it, unless you budget for the repair as part of the purchase price.
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