Are thinking about buying a used crane? Are you wondering what factors you should take into consideration? This guide will answer these questions and provide more information on used cranes.

Budget

If you decide to buy used cranes, then the budget should be the first thing to consider. Most people do not consider their budget as an important factor because they are mostly in a rush to get started. This could be because of plans to buy new equipments were scuttled by high prices, the existing equipments is not performing as expected, or you just got awarded a large contract. Knowing and planning on how much you want to spend will serve as a bench mark to get the right product. It will also mean doing some research on the general price of used cranes. This could be overwhelming, but it will also help you avoid buying faulty equipment.

History of the Machine

When checking a used crane, the first thing to consider is what application it was used for previously and its history. Also equally important are the total hours the machine has operated, year model, and the geographical location. The geographical location enable one to estimate the environmental effect they crane might have been exposed to. A salty environment for example, will obviously cause severe corrosion as compared to a non salty environment.

Shock loading and demolition can also have a great impact on the structural integrity of the machine or even damage the machine. When checking previous usage, remember to check for previous repairs or any reports of accidents. Any repairs made should be in compliance with government regulations. If repairs were not done correctly, one might be forced to buy a new crane or do fresh repairs to meet industry safety standards.

Inspection

The process of inspecting is not as easy as it may seem. There are certain aspects of the crane’s functionalities that might escape an untrained person. This is why you should hire a certified Crane Inspector to do a comprehensive inspection if you want to buy used cranes. The certified expert will help you make informed decisions based on price, number of years under operation, model and any future repairs you might need. A Professional Crane Appraiser can also help you value the crane if you are going to spend a substantial amount of money buying it. Any professional advice you get before the now will save you a lot of money in the future.

In what Condition should a used Crane Be?

The age of the crane you are going to buy will be determined by several operation factors. These are: crane operators, availability of that crane’s spare parts, technical support for that crane, and the technological options of the crane. Older cranes are mechanically friendly but they may have limited technology. This is true if you buy a crane that is more than 10 years old. They may have a better duty cycle, stevedoring or pile diving, but that might be all the advantage you will get. Cranes that are between 5 to 10 years old may not present any major problems in terms of technological gap. Is the manufacturer is still in business or they sold out? That should also be an important factor. Otherwise operating a crane whose manufacturer is no longer in business will pose a specialised service challenge when you need one.

Buying “As Is” or “In Need of Repairs”

Most often than not, every crane you buy will need some repairs. It is therefore recommended you get professional appraisal when choosing a used crane. You will then have to factor in the cost of repairs into the buying price of the used craned. If you have any questions or comments, please post them below or contact us. We will be glad to help.