The dairy industry is not getting any easier to navigate, and margins are increasingly difficult to maintain. When it becomes necessary to repair or replace equipment, the potential expense can leave you a little shell-shocked. Purchasing pre-owned dairy processing equipment can help alleviate the financial pressure, but not all used equipment is worth your money. Just like purchasing anything that is not brand new, there are many considerations to take into account. This article will identify some of the more pressing challenges and offer guidance to ensure that you are buying high-quality used dairy equipment.
Purchasing Used Dairy Equipment: A Guide
Inquire About Operating Hours: When you buy a used car, you want to understand its mileage. When purchasing pre-owned dairy equipment, you’ll want to understand the associated operating hours. Any company reselling used dairy equipment should be able to answer the question, but that number only gives you a starting point. It is vital to learn more about the average amount of hours the machine in question can effectively run and then compare that to how many hours it has already been used. This analysis will help you to determine if the equipment is worth the asking price. However, buyers should understand that the total number of operating hours is just one factor.
Again, using our used car analogy, a well-maintained car with more mileage may be a better option than a car that has less mileage but is a “lemon.” Maintenance history and equipment condition play a significant role in buying pre-owned dairy equipment – but the machine’s operating hours do provide useful insight into how it should perform in the future.
Ask if the Equipment Has Been Reconditioned: Much of the used dairy equipment on the market is offered on an “as-is” basis. Therefore, it is essential to understand if the equipment has been reconditioned. Reconditioned equipment utilizes new replacement parts to guarantee that it meets the original manufacturer’s specifications. When equipment has undergone professional reconditioning, it eliminates much of the normal wear and tear you’d normally see while providing an affordable option.
Expert Tip: If the piece you’re considering for purchase has been reconditioned, ask the vendor about their specific process as it applies to dairy manufacturing. Dairy equipment can easily corrode or break down if the wrong coating or material is used, so it is important that those working on the equipment do so with specific knowledge of the dairy industry.
Insist on Accuracy: Anyone involved in the dairy industry understands that the margin for error is very small. During homogenization and pasteurization, the temperatures and agitation must be just right – or the quality and consistency of the product may suffer. One miscalculation can render an entire batch useless, so your used dairy equipment must be calibrated for accuracy. You want your dairy equipment to do exactly what you expect. Ensuring that a piece of equipment continues running as optimally as possible requires regular maintenance and routine testing.
Check for Wear and Tear: Inspecting for wear and tear should be routine when purchasing any used equipment, even professionally reconditioned dairy equipment. When inspecting the equipment, don’t just evaluate the exterior—look inside as well. After all, your product doesn’t touch the outside of the equipment but will be processed inside. Because dairy manufacturing is so precise, it is necessary to be as thorough as possible prior to a purchase to ensure you don’t waste time or money.
Purchasing High-Quality Reconditioned Equipment
Whether you need a milk pasteurizer, homogenizer, or mixing tank, Zwirner Equipment should be your first call. We have over three decades of experience serving the dairy manufacturing industry, offering high-quality reconditioned dairy equipment that provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for your needs. We adhere to strict quality standards and only sell equipment that is ready for use.
Click here to view our current inventory of used dairy equipment, then contact our team with any questions or concerns. We are here to help you make the best possible purchase for your needs.
