There's no universal answer to whether you should buy a new Leeboy paver, pick up a used Leeboy 785 motor grader, or just order the parts online. I've managed procurement for a mid-sized paving company for over six years, and I've made the wrong call in each category at least once. So let's break it down by scenario—because the right choice depends entirely on your situation.
Three scenarios, three different approaches
I've categorized the decision into three main scenarios based on what I've seen work (and fail) across dozens of equipment purchases. Before we get into each, here's the quick classification:
- Scenario A: High utilization, long-term ownership — you're running the machine 40+ hours a week, plan to keep it 5+ years, and have the capital or financing.
- Scenario B: Occasional use or specific projects — you need a machine for a season, a single job, or less than 20 hours a week.
- Scenario C: Maintaining an existing fleet — your machines are already owned, and you're deciding whether to repair or replace.
I'll walk through each scenario with real numbers and examples from my experience. If you're not sure which camp you're in, I've included a decision guide at the end.
Scenario A: High utilization, long-term ownership
This is the most straightforward scenario. If you're running a Leeboy paver or motor grader 40+ hours a week, the total cost of ownership (TCO) math leans heavily toward buying new. Here's why.
I compared costs on a Leeboy paver for our main crew back in 2023. We were looking at a new unit vs. a 3-year-old used one with 2,500 hours. The new unit was $X (I'll use a placeholder because prices change—get current quotes). The used unit was about 40% less upfront. But when I ran the TCO over 5 years, factoring in expected repairs, downtime, and fuel efficiency differences, the new unit came out ahead by about 12%.
The catch? I assumed the used unit would need minimal repairs. Didn't verify the service history thoroughly. Turned out the previous owner had deferred maintenance on the hydraulic system. That assumption cost us about $4,200 in unexpected repairs in the first year alone. Learned never to assume 'clean history' means clean records after that.
If you buy new from a Leeboy dealer, you get a warranty, predictable maintenance schedules, and the latest features. For high-utilization machines, that certainty is worth more than the upfront savings on a used unit—assuming you negotiate the deal properly.
Scenario B: Occasional use or specific projects
This is where I see the most mistakes honestly. People either overbuy (new machine for a 3-month job) or underbuy (cheapest used machine that breaks down constantly). Neither works well.
For occasional use, I recommend buying used from a reputable dealer with a service history. Not the cheapest listing on Machinery Trader. Here's what I've found works:
- Target machines with 3,000–5,000 hours if it's a paver or grader. They're past the initial depreciation but still have plenty of life left.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic. I still kick myself for skipping that on a Leeboy 785 motor grader we bought in 2022. The seller said it was 'ready to work.' Turned out the transmission needed a rebuild within 6 months.
- Budget 15–20% of the purchase price for immediate repairs or upgrades. If you don't need it, great. If you do, you're prepared.
The most frustrating part of buying used: the same issues recurring despite clear communication. After the third time a seller claimed 'everything works,' I was ready to give up on used equipment entirely. What finally helped was building an inspection checklist and sticking to it—no exceptions.
For very short-term needs (a single project), renting is often the better call. The math changes when you factor in storage, insurance, and depreciation on a machine that sits idle 70% of the year.
Scenario C: Maintaining an existing fleet
This is where most of my daily work lives. We have a fleet of Leeboy pavers, graders, and tack distributors. The question isn't 'new vs. used'—it's 'repair vs. replace,' and more specifically, 'OEM vs. aftermarket parts.'
When I audited our 2023 spending on parts and repairs for the paver fleet, I found that 34% of our 'budget overruns' came from rush-ordering OEM parts when we could have planned ahead and used quality aftermarket alternatives. We implemented a 30-day lead time policy for non-critical repairs and cut overruns by about 18% the following year.
Here's my rule of thumb for parts decisions:
- Critical wear parts (screed plates, augers, conveyor belts): I lean OEM. The performance difference is measurable, and downtime is expensive. On a paver, a 10% improvement in wear life can save you $1,200+ in labor over a season.
- Non-critical parts (filters, belts, hydraulic hoses): Quality aftermarket is fine. I've saved 25–40% vs. OEM on these without any performance issues. Just verify the supplier's quality control—not all aftermarket is equal.
- Parts for older models (like the Leeboy 8500 paver): Aftermarket is often your only option. OEM discontinues support eventually. In those cases, build relationships with aftermarket suppliers early—don't wait until a machine breaks down.
Should mention: we switched to a different aftermarket supplier for hydraulic filters in 2024. The first batch was fine. The second batch had a defect rate of about 3%. We caught it during pre-install inspection—barely. That 'cheap' option would have cost us a $1,200 redo if a filter had failed on site. Now I test a sample from every new batch before approving the order.
How to figure out which scenario you're in
Here's a quick decision framework based on what I use internally:
- Calculate annual utilization. How many hours will the machine run per year? Above 1,500 hours? You're Scenario A. Between 500–1,500 hours? Scenario B. Below 500 hours? Strongly consider renting.
- Assess your capital position. Do you have cash for a new machine, or are you financing? Financing rates on used equipment are typically 1–3% higher than new. Get quotes for both before deciding.
- Evaluate your team's maintenance capability. If you have a dedicated mechanic, older used machines with higher hours are more viable. If you rely on dealer support, new or certified pre-owned is safer.
- Check parts availability. Before buying any used machine, verify that critical parts are still available from Leeboy or reputable aftermarket suppliers. I made this mistake with a 2008 tack distributor—parts were discontinued, and we spent 6 months fabricating replacements.
Bottom line: there's no single right answer. But if you base your decision on utilization and total cost rather than upfront price, you'll make fewer expensive mistakes. I've made enough for both of us.
