When Is Repower Considered an Option for a Piece of Equipment?

Evaluate these five things when considering an equipment repower.

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Several variables determine whether an equipment user decides to repower a piece of equipment. Overall, the decision comes down to return on investment (ROI): Is repowering the existing piece of equipment more profitable than purchasing a new or used piece of equipment? Some considerations include:

Repower Engine Availability. An engine with the same or similar configuration (PTO, Speed, Footprint, etc.) needs to be available. Often the exact spec is considered, but there are often other options that will work.

Dealer’s Technical Knowledge/Ability. The more configuration differences the repower engine has from the existing engine, the more technical knowledge required to perform the repower. Repowering with the same spec is usually easiest, but as Kohler is proving, other options are often just as easy.

Repower Cost. The cost to repower a piece of equipment includes both the cost of the replacement engine and the cost of labor to perform the repower. These costs can vary by engine brand and model, and dealer technical expertise. After considering the costs of a repower, a professional landscaper may decide that purchasing a new piece of equipment is the better long-term investment.

Condition of Equipment. While buying a new engine is almost always a cheaper alternative than purchasing a new piece of equipment, it’s important to take in consideration the condition of the equipment. If the equipment being repowered is near the end of its operational life, it may be smarter to purchase new—especially if the new engine’s life will far outlast the equipment it’s on.

Cost of New Equipment. When evaluating ROI, it’s always important to consider other options for your money. While a new piece of equipment may come with a higher price, purchasers need to factor in the cost of downtime and repair associated with owning aging equipment.

Brandon Fredricks is the marketing associate channel manager at Kohler. William Schnell is the marketing product manager for Kohler.

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