Buying used industrial equipment is still a costly process for any business, and like any business decision, you need to ask the right questions before spending your money. There are many factors to consider before investing in second-hand equipment to guarantee that you’re not wasting your business’s financial earnings. You need to know what exactly to look for and what to avoid when dealing with industrial equipment sellers. You also need to find out the age and operating state of the machinery you purchase. No matter what the purpose of the equipment you buy is, you have to make sure the machines you buy are in good working condition. Here’s what you need to look for when buying second-hand industrial equipment.

The Seller’s Reputation

Before making a purchase, you need to ensure the honesty and transparency of the seller you buy the equipment from, especially when buying used equipment. You can lose a lot of time inspecting faulty machines or get ripped off if you deal with the wrong people. Luckily, there are many methods that can help you check the reliability of sellers. You can look up the company profile on the internet and compare reviews to determine their reputation and reliability. By reading the negative reviews, you can go through previous customers’ experiences and find out if they had any problems dealing with this specific company or seller. You can also ask if the company replied to their reviewer or provided them with any compensation or customer service troubleshooting to resolve the issue. Online research is the key to checking a seller’s reputation and transparency.

For example, if you look up reviews for Revelation Machinery, you’ll find plenty of positive comments and 5-star testimonials. However, it’s essential to read each review carefully to ensure there aren’t any repeats or that each customer provides a specific response. From our research, all customers pull from their unique experiences and speak very highly of this company. This is proof that Revelation Machinery is trustworthy and transparent. 

The Age of the Machine

Before buying any machine, look for the description and try to find out its age and number of hours of usage. If you don’t find this information, it’s completely okay to contact the seller and ask for these specific details. Knowing the number of hours and age of your machine is essential for knowing which parts will need to be changed later. This information will also indicate how long the machine is going to live or at least be functional. It’s all about knowing how much maintenance will be needed for the equipment depending on the age and the parts that will need to be changed during the lifetime of the machine. This is why it’s important to look for these two elements or even contact the seller company to ask for these details.

Inspection 

You don’t want to pay for any purchase of any kind of machinery without trying the machine first. You can see the equipment in person, if possible, or you can do many other forms of machinery inspections depending on the location of the seller. If your seller is located in North Carolina and you’re planning to buy used forklifts in Charlotte, you can hire an expert independent inspector or a manufacturer’s representative to inspect the equipment for you. If the seller is not located within your state or even outside the country, you can perform an online inspection on the industrial equipment you’re planning to purchase. Distance is never a problem for buying online industrial equipment. An online inspection will provide you with all the information you need about the machine you’re buying. 

The Operating State of the Machine 

It’s normal for used machines to come with wear and tear due to their previous use. However, during the inspection or negotiation with the seller, you may discover something unusual about the machine’s operation. You may come across rust or cracks on essential parts of the machine that can affect its performance and cause trouble later on. You may also discover shock damage in the equipment or any other unusual signs of wear that can cost you additional costs in the future. You need to be cautious when choosing your equipment, and you have to keep an eye open for engine oil, hydraulic fluid, and fluid transmission. Another useful tip is to check the quality of the exhaust if the machine you’re going after has an engine. Check the color of the smoke, if it’s black, that’s a sign of faulty injectors or maybe a problem with the air filters. Blue smoke can also indicate a worn seal, while white smoke is a sign of a problem with the compression or head gasket.

welder industrial equipment

Buying industrial equipment is not an easy task, and there certainly are numerous considerations to keep in mind before making any purchase. Make sure you check the reputation of the seller you buy the equipment from and obtain all essential information about the machine before making a decision. Check for unusual wear and determine how old the machine is and which parts need to be maintained or replaced.