How do I judge a nursery’s digging, balling and truck loading equipment?

Digging and balling is where a nursery’s season is won or lost, so ask to see it done. Watch a digger work through a real tree or shrub, and watch how quickly the crew can wrap, secure and stage the root balls. Listen for noise, look for leaks and notice what the operator does to work around a problem. Workarounds often point to something worn.

Then look at the paper. Ask for maintenance logs, parts receipts and any repair invoices. Check the hours or age on each unit and compare it with the condition you see. If the crew relies on one older machine, ask what the nursery does when it goes down in the middle of a shipping week.

Loading equipment matters too. Check forklifts, loaders, trailers and any ramps for condition and for safe operation. Ask whether any item is leased, financed or owned by someone else. Your lawyer can confirm what is included in the sale, and a lender may want to know the same. Ask the seller which attachments, spare parts and tools come with each unit. Small items such as spare blades, straps and wrapping supplies are easy to forget until the first shipping week.

Key takeaways

• Watch the equipment dig and ball real stock, not just sit in the yard.
• Match service records to the wear you can see.
• Confirm which items are owned, leased or financed before you assume they transfer.