Buying a machine is the start of the cost, not the end. A used machine that is serviced regularly will usually work better, break down less and sell for more when you are finished with it. This guide covers a simple routine for keeping used machinery in good order, whatever the type.
Start with the manual and a baseline
- Get the manufacturer’s manual for the exact model. If the seller does not have one, ask the maker or a dealer, since many supply copies.
- Have the machine serviced soon after you buy it, so you know the starting condition. Change the oil, filters and other consumables, and check belts, hoses and bearings.
- Write down the date, the hours or the usage count, and what was done.
Do the simple checks often
- Before use. Look for leaks, loose or damaged guards, damaged cables and hoses, and warning lights. Check that emergency stops and safety devices work.
- Daily or weekly. Check the oil, coolant and hydraulic levels, grease the points the manual lists, and clean away dirt, dust and swarf that can block cooling and filters.
- Regularly. Follow the service schedule in the manual, and keep a note of anything that changes, such as new noises, vibration or a drop in performance.
Keep up with the legal inspections
Some machines need formal inspections by a competent person, and these are separate from servicing.
- Lifting equipment such as telehandlers, cranes, hoists and platforms needs a thorough examination under LOLER. Read the guide to LOLER thorough examinations.
- Local exhaust ventilation, including spray booth extraction, needs a thorough examination and test, at least every 14 months under HSE guidance.
- All work equipment must be maintained in efficient working order and in good repair, and the people who use it must be trained. Read the guide to PUWER and second-hand machinery.
Use proper parts and trained people
- Use the parts and consumables the maker specifies, or good equivalents. The cheapest part is not always the cheapest in the end.
- Do not remove, bypass or disable guards, interlocks or safety alarms.
- Have repairs on safety-critical parts, such as brakes, hydraulics, booms and electrical systems, done by someone competent.
Store it well
A machine kept clean, dry and covered lasts longer. Drain water from air lines, protect electrical equipment from damp and keep batteries charged. If a machine will stand for a long time, check the manual for how to prepare it.
Keep records, they pay for themselves
A file of service records, inspection reports, manuals and receipts for major parts shows a buyer that a machine has been looked after. Buyers look for it and often pay more for it. Read the guide on how to sell used machinery for what else buyers expect.
Summary: keeping used machinery in good order
Use the manual, service the machine soon after buying, make short checks part of every working day, keep legal inspections up to date and keep records. When you are ready to move it on, list your machine for sale, or read what to check when buying used machinery.
Used machinery for sale
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