Used equipment can be beneficial for organizations in manufacturing, maintenance, and logistics sectors due to lower initial costs and compatibility with existing equipment. When purchasing used equipment, consider quality, useful life, parts availability, and total cost of ownership. It’s important to have an experienced mechanic inspect the equipment before making a decision. Skilled maintenance and repair can extend the service life of mechanical equipment, and parts are typically available for many years. The total cost of ownership should be compared when choosing between used and new equipment.
In many organizations, personnel are required to examine used equipment as part of the procurement process. This is especially true in the manufacturing, maintenance and logistics sectors. The primary benefit of used equipment is a lower initial cost and potential compatibility with existing equipment. The most important consideration when reviewing used equipment is determining how much additional work is required to install the equipment.
When looking to buy used equipment, there are four things to consider: quality, useful life, parts availability, and total cost of ownership. The main risk of buying used equipment is that the equipment fails before the initial cost is covered. Many organizations prefer to buy used for certain categories of equipment. In many industries, large equipment is designed for a very long service life. Ongoing maintenance and parts replacement can extend the life of this type of equipment well beyond the manufacturer’s initial warranty period.
It’s a good idea to bring in an experienced mechanic to inspect used equipment before making any purchasing decisions. Buying large equipment is very expensive, and significant savings can be made through the use of well-maintained used equipment. Make sure the mechanic has sufficient time and assistance to properly inspect the equipment and provide a recommendation.
The service life of mechanical equipment is traditionally quite long, ranging from 25 to 50 years. This life can be further extended through skilled maintenance and repair. There are always components of any system that cannot be repaired or replaced beyond a certain level. It is this limiting factor that determines the useful life of the equipment.
The parts needed for large equipment systems are typically available for many years. These replacement parts can come from the manufacturer, from reconditioning centers or from landfills. It is very common for scrap yards to take apart equipment that cannot be repaired and sell the parts. Take the time to review parts availability and pricing for your used equipment.
The total cost of ownership is different from the original purchase price. The concept of total cost is a more complete view of all costs associated with a purchasing decision. This cost includes the purchase price, transportation, repairs, parts, and labor required to get the equipment up and running. It is the total cost of ownership that must be compared when choosing between used and new equipment.
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