I see this question a lot in procurement circles: 'Should I buy a new Link-Belt 750 crane or a used link belt 238 crane at a fraction of the price?' It keeps construction managers up at night. From the outside, it looks like a simple math problem—new costs more, used costs less. The reality is that the math often hides the true story. Let's break it down the way I do for my own equipment budget, focusing on what matters to a cost controller: total cost of ownership (TCO), not just the sticker price.
Used (link belt 238 crane): The upfront price is lower, obviously. I was analyzing a $180,000 cumulative spend across 6 years for our fleet recently. A used compact crane like a 238 could hit the yard for $80,000–$120,000 less than a new one. That looks great on a PO. But —and this is critical—the hidden costs appear later. Things like immediate part replacements.
New (link belt 750 crane): The sticker price hurts. In Q2 2024, when we compared quotes for a $4,200 annual contract on a similar sized new machine, the initial capital outlay was steep. But, you get a full warranty, known maintenance history (it’s zero), and no immediate component rebuilds.
Conclusion: Used wins on cash flow. New wins on predictability. The “cheap” option often results in a $1,200 redo when a critical pump fails.
New: A new link belt 750 crane is a known quantity. It’s Japanese engineering at its best. The reliability is high, and the risk of a major breakdown in the first two years is minimal. If something does go wrong (and it can, because nothing is perfect), warranty covers it.
Used: Reliability is a gamble. I went back and forth between a used 238 and a newer model for two weeks. The upside was saving $40,000. The risk was the older machine having a hidden issue—like a failing pump or cracked slewing ring. The risk felt catastrophic. The expected value said go for it, but not for a critical project. A used crane (especially a smaller model like the 238) is a great backup or for lower-utilization jobs. But for a primary unit pulling 2000 hours a year? The risk isn't worth it.
Conclusion: New is safer for mission-critical lifts. Used is fine for backup or niche, low-hour work.
When I audited our 2023 spending, I tracked every invoice for our primary and backup cranes. This is where the comparison gets interesting—and a bit counter-intuitive.
Used Link-Belt 238 Crane: Depreciation is less painful because the steepest part of the curve is gone. However, you start spending on maintenance earlier. Expect to replace seals, hoses, and maybe a water pump or condensate pump within the first two years. That 'free' purchase price difference gets eaten by repairs.
New Link-Belt 750 Crane: Depreciation is brutal in year one (15-20%), but it flattens out. You have zero repair costs for 2-3 years (except routine maintenance). Over 5 years, the new crane often has a lower TCO per operating hour, especially if you run it hard (think 10,000+ hours in 5 years).
People assume the used crane is always a better financial decision. They don’t see the hours spent managing breakdowns, the lost rental revenue, or the hidden costs (like the condensate pump replacement that costs $750).
Conclusion: For high utilization (1,000+ hours/year), new is often cheaper in TCO. For low utilization, used makes sense.
This is where a brand like Link-Belt shines, regardless of new or used. Their parts network is strong (unfortunately, many brands are not). I’ve negotiated with 8+ vendors over the years. The key advantage of Link-Belt is that their OEM parts are readily available.
Whether you buy a new link belt 750 crane or a used link belt 238 crane, the cost of replacement pumps (condensate pump? water pump?) and final drives is a known variable. With some other brands, finding a specific water pump for a 5-year-old machine is a nightmare. With Link-Belt, it’s usually a phone call.
Conclusion: The brand’s parts network is a hidden asset that skews the choice toward New or Used, depending on your local dealer’s stock.
So when do you buy the new link belt 750 crane, and when do you grab the used link belt 238 crane? Here’s my rule of thumb, built from auditing $180k in spending.
Don’t let the initial price tag blind you. In my experience, the decision isn't about new vs. used. It's about matching the machine’s risk profile to your project's cash flow. A used crane at a 'bargain' price can be the most expensive machine you ever buy.
Our engineers provide project-specific recommendations based on your lift plan or excavation scope.
Ask an Engineer