Pre-owned machinery is a great option to get the tools for your business without going all out with your capital. They afford the least buying cost, whether you’re keen to purchase or lease. However, you need to be careful and attentive when trying to lease or buy used equipment online because some of them may not be in the best condition. You, therefore, need to be thorough with your due diligence, more when it comes to used machinery in UAE. If you’re not sure about what to consider, not to worry. Our article has compiled an essential checklist to ensure you make the right decision and therefore avoid wasting money on the wrong purchases or leases. Take a look
- Take into account the manufacturer’s reputation
Say you want to buy a CNC milling machine for your company. In this case, you want to pay attention to the manufacture of the equipment before the purchase. You want to ask yourself, is the manufacturer well-known? More importantly, are their products dependable, or do they have a proven track record of product performance?
In this case, some of the top CNC machine manufacturers include:
- TAIG Tools
- Tormach
- Has Automation
- DMG Mori
- Okuma, etc.
Of course, our list is by no means exhaustive so you shouldn’t dismiss a CNC machine brand if you don’t spot it here. The key takeaway is that you need to do your homework about the brand or manufacturer of any potential machinery you’d like to buy online.
- Examine the equipment’s maintenance record
Taking a look at a machine’s history can tell you all you need to know to ensure you get maximum value out of the equipment. For instance, if you’re discerning construction machine suppliers and other tools at large, you want to find out more about the equipment’s maintenance history.
How often did the owner maintain the equipment? How recent was the last maintenance check-up? Usually, most sellers worth their salt will have some sort of maintenance record or log to share with you.
In a nutshell, this maintenance documentation will give you the history of the machine, including details such as:
- Serviced dates
- Spare parts used/parts replace
- Date of purchase
- Maintenance company/technicians, etc
Different maintenance records could obviously have varying data, but what you want to pay the most attention to are sections of serviced dates, and parts replaced specifically. Take note of any major overhauls.
- Investigate for signs of visible damage
When you reach out to individuals who sell used machinery online¸ be sure to ask to see it in person. That way, you can better assess the equipment for any signs of visible damage. If distance is an issue, ask to see multiple high-definition images of the tool from various angles so you get a clear picture of its wear and tear.
Some red flags you should be particularly keen on, regardless of the specific type of equipment you’d like to buy, include:
- Massive after-marketing welding/repairs
- Foam in fluid reservoirs
- Mixing of oil and coolant
- Fluid leakages underneath the equipment
Be sure to ask about any dents and scratches, although it’s worth keeping in mind that a little damage from wear and tear is quite expected with pre-owned equipment. As long as there isn’t any serious underlying damage, it’s good to go.
- Take the equipment for a test drive
A visual inspection whether online or in-person can tell you a lot about the restaurant kitchen equipment or other machinery you’d like to buy. But it can’t tell you everything. That’s why it’s best to take the machine for a spin if possible and put it to the test in a real work environment. Doing so should reveal any other problems or damages that may have slipped past your initial assessment.
In particular, here’s what you should be looking out for when testing out the machine:
- Operational temperatures (does the machine get too hot when in use?)
- Unusual smells or smoke
- Abnormal noises or shaking, etc
You’ll want to keep the machine on for a couple of minutes to be able to pick out any of these signs. Also, the engine should preferably start smoothly upon ignition.
- Frequency of equipment use & age
Depending on the exact industry, rates of usage of a particular equipment can vary wildly. For example, some industries are busier than others hence the seller may have used the equipment for longer intervals or more frequently.
But if it’s been well maintained and it’s in great condition, and the maintenance logs say just as much, that shouldn’t really be an issue. Nonetheless, you want to talk to the seller to get a good picture of how often the equipment has been used as well as its age.
Whether usage and age will make or break the transaction will largely depend on your needs in terms of:
- How often you plan to use the machine
- Whether you’ll be leasing or outrightly buying
- Long-term usage patterns, etc
For example, if you’re looking to lease a second hand wood cutting machine for a short period, it won’t really matter if it’s been heavily used before or if it’s an older model. You’ll have it just for a limited window and return it.
However, if you’re investing in pre-owned equipment for the long haul, heavy usage may be a deal-breaker. That’s because it may have a short service life hence there may be the need for early replacement. But this may also still not be a problem if you’re buying equipment you’re going to use occasionally. Again, it all boils down to your needs.
Final tip: Always buy/lease from a trusted source!Buying or leasing preowned equipment randomly from the internet is challenging, to say the least. The equipment may not be in good condition, and there may be serious longevity and safety concerns. What’s more, some tools may not be efficient to operate or use in that state. For these reasons, it’s important to get an equipment inspection before you buy used tools. But that again can be expensive in itself. Consequently, it’s easier and much more convenient to deal with a reputable seller of pre-owned industrial machinery. If you require a trusted marketplace to buy used machinery online, shop now at IndustBay from a verified suppliers that sells pre-owned equipment, you can be sure it will provide service without issue for a long time to come.
