If you're trying to decide whether a Leeboy 785 motor grader is worth the money, or whether to fix your asphalt paver with used Leeboy paver parts, here's my honest answer: it depends. I know that's not the satisfying 'just tell me what to buy' answer. But after seven years of managing procurement for a mid-sized road construction company, I've learned that the right move only exists after you know how the machine will be used, what an hour of downtime costs, and who handles maintenance when something breaks.
Since 2019, I've logged every equipment invoice in our cost tracking system. When I audited our 2023 spending, one pattern stood out: the machines that looked most expensive at purchase were often the cheapest when measured per hour. The opposite was true for the 'good deal' ones. They ate profits in small, annoying pieces—freight, repairs, expedited delivery, rental replacements.
So let's talk about the Leeboy 785 motor grader, used Leeboy paver parts, and why total cost of ownership matters more than the sticker price. Whether it's a Leeboy motor grader, an asphalt paver, a tack distributor, or a used part, the math is the same.
The real question isn't new vs. used. It's what a failure costs.
Before you decide anything, calculate what one hour of downtime costs. Include the operator, fuel, trucking, material, the crew standing around, and any penalty in your contract. If you don't know that number, you're buying equipment on hope. I've watched contractors compare $2,000 part prices while ignoring a $4,000-a-day idle crew. That's how you save $500 and lose $2,800.
Here's an example. I once compared a $2,100 factory part with a $1,750 rebuilt alternative. The rebuilt part had a longer lead time and required special freight. By the time I added those costs, it was no longer the good deal. Our procurement policy now requires quotes from at least three vendors because I got burned twice on 'cheaper' options that weren't cheaper.
Three scenarios: which Leeboy buyer are you?
There's no universal answer. But over the years, I've watched operations like ours fall into three distinct situations. Each one calls for a different approach.
Scenario A: The production buyer
If your Leeboy 785 motor grader runs 40-plus hours a week on active road jobs, it is the revenue engine. In this scenario, I'd prioritize uptime over parts price. Use the dealer network. Keep genuine Leeboy parts for hydraulics, final drives, and electrical components. A failed control block can eat an entire week, and that isn't a minor line item.
Can used Leeboy paver parts make sense here? Yes, but only for non-critical pieces: covers, brackets, wear plates, maybe an auger segment. Not for pumps, motors, steering parts, or anything that stops production. I once saved $210 on an aftermarket filter that collapsed after 80 hours. The total repair was $1,900, plus two lost days. You can probably guess what my spreadsheet says about that.
In Q2 2024, we had 36 hours to find a hydraulic valve for a paver before a county job. Normally I'd get three quotes. There was no time. I paid dealer price and made the job. That's not a bad story; it's just the reality of production.
Scenario B: The mixed-use buyer
This is where I get contrarian. If you're a smaller contractor who only grades 300 to 500 hours a year, a brand-new Leeboy 785 motor grader might be overkill. A used machine—maybe a smaller model like the 635 or 685—plus carefully selected used Leeboy paver parts can be a much better use of capital. The catch: you need to inspect everything and have a repair plan.
Here's the logic. The upside of a used part is a lower total spend. The risk is downtime. If a machine only has to run fifteen times this year, a failed part doesn't trigger the same disaster it would for a production crew. But you still need a repair fund. I usually set aside around 10% of the purchase price for initial maintenance. If that thought scares you, buy a newer machine.
Look, I'm not saying used parts are always wrong. I'm saying they're only right when you know the risk and have a plan for it. A used part is kinda like a used tire: it's fine if you know what you're looking at and what it's rated for.
And let's not forget the rest of the yard. A mixed-use contractor might have a bob crane for lifting, a squatted truck for moving material, and a can crusher for jobsite recycling. Each one has the same hidden-cost story. I watched a bob crane with tired hydraulics sit for two weeks while a small fabrication project waited. I once watched a squatted truck that looked like a bargain become a money pit when the modified suspension needed to be sorted out. A can crusher that jams might not stop a road job, but it stops the recycling revenue you expected. The machine doesn't care what color it is. The math is the math.
Scenario C: The dealer or rental fleet
If you're buying a Leeboy 785 motor grader or stocking used Leeboy paver parts for resale or rental, your number one enemy is a machine sitting still. In this scenario, I'd use the factory parts program and keep the official Leeboy parts manual close. I'd also look at the full Leeboy range—the 635, 685, 785, and 8500—because your customers' needs vary. Your customers don't have time for a 10-day wait, and they'll rent from someone else if you can't deliver.
I have mixed feelings about used parts in this world. On one hand, a used Leeboy paver part can make an older machine affordable to keep on the road. On the other, if a rental goes out and breaks because of a questionable part, the customer blames you. That's a reputation hit that never appears on an income statement, but it absolutely affects next year's rates. I've learned that quality perception matters as much as price. The first thing a contractor sees when your machine arrives is your brand. If it looks rough or breaks down, they'll assume the rest of your operation is the same. That's not vanity; that's client perception.
How to tell which scenario fits you
If you're not sure where you belong, answer these three questions.
- What is one hour of downtime worth? If you can't calculate it fast, you're taking more risk than you think. Production buyers with high hourly costs should act like Scenario A. If downtime is closer to an inconvenience, Scenario B can work.
- Can you tolerate a bad used part? If a used Leeboy paver part fails and damages neighboring components, can the budget absorb that? If not, buy new for critical parts.
- Do you have a mechanic on staff? A good mechanic means you can handle more risk. If you have to wait for a dealer service appointment, new factory parts and a dealer relationship are usually worth the cost.
A note on judgment: this approach worked for us because we're a mid-sized company with predictable seasons and our own maintenance staff. If you're working with penalty clauses and night shifts, your calculus is different. There's no shame in that. The mistake is pretending one size fits all.
There's something satisfying about getting this right. After years of tracking invoices, I've learned that the cheapest thing to buy is often the most expensive thing to own. The Leeboy 785 motor grader is a quality machine. The question isn't whether Leeboy makes good equipment—it does. The question is whether your purchasing decision matches your actual operating conditions. Do the math, keep the repair fund, and don't let anyone tell you there's a single right answer.
