Service Questions with Mark: What to Check Before Buying Used Crushers

When it comes to investing in rock crushing equipment, buying used can be a smart way to save money without sacrificing performance, if you know what to look for. Whether you’re expanding an existing operation or just getting started in the rock crushing business, used crushers can offer reliable service at a fraction of the cost of new machines.

However, the key to making a sound purchase lies in knowing which features and conditions to inspect. Here, Eagle Crusher Service Technician Mark will break down the essential factors to consider before buying used rock crushing equipment. This will help you avoid costly surprises and make a confident, informed decision.

Your Used Rock Crusher Inspection Checklist: The Key Questions

These tips for purchasing used crushing equipment will help ensure you don’t miss any critical components during your evaluation. Be sure to look at:

Hours on the unit

• • This gives you an accurate understanding of how used the machine is. You can generally take the hours on the unit and divide it by the years the machine has been built.

The Wear on the Impactor (Specifically on the Rotor)

• • The leading edge of the rotor is where you will find most wear.
  • A worn rotor will need to give it immediate attention.
  • The wear liners inside the impactor nearest the area where rotor spins is an area to inspect.

The Rotor Bearings

• • if you have the opportunity to run the unit, you should check the temperature on them to ensure they are not running hot or have signs of wear like grinding or overheating

Check the Wiring

• • It’s crucial to inspect the wiring going to each individual motor for damage. This is something that can’t be ignored and will require full replacement of the damaged wires.

Check All Conveyors

• • Check that all conveyors (head pulleys, tail pulleys, etc.) have the protective guards in place. Over time, guards can get damaged, or some people remove them and never replace them. So, if you see missing or damaged guards, consider the replacement cost as part of your total investment.

The items listed above are some of the main things to look at when considering used equipment.

Part Issues

While part issues won’t generally be the make or break of a used equipment purchase, it’s important to look at and understand the total cost.

Bottom Row of Liners

• The primary curtain
  • The bottom row of liners on the secondary curtain wear faster than the uppers. The curtain can be flipped once after one side wears, but it’s essential to determine if the previous owner has already flipped it. If they have flipped it, it would require a whole new curtain.

Blow Bars

• • If bars have not been flipped, they can wear down to 7/8” then can be flipped and run down to ¼”.
  • If the blow bars are already at that ¼” mark, you will have to get new blow bars.

Check the Drive Belts on the Equipment

• • If ignored, these belts will sometimes dry rot and begin slipping thus causing a loss or drop in voltage.
  • Electric plants will have less drive belts as some units run from a Gen Set or Line Power.

Parts don’t need to be the make or break of your decision to buy used equipment. Reaching out to the equipment manufacturer to determine the cost of new parts will help that deciding factor.

Eagle Crusher’s parts department and network of authorized dealers are always around to help you in your decision-making, whether you’re considering a used Eagle Crusher for sale or a new unit.

Is Purchasing Used the Right Decision?

Purchasing used rock crushing equipment can be a smart financial decision as long as you do your homework.

Follow our used rock crusher inspection checklist to evaluate the machine’s wear components, verify maintenance records, check for structural integrity, and ensure compatibility with your existing systems. By doing so, you can avoid unexpected downtime and extend the life of your investment.

Eagle Crusher is here to help you through your rock crushing journey. Our team of Service Technicians, authorized dealers, and parts department is available to answer any questions you may have about what to check before buying used crushers–contact us today. Together, we will get you up and crushing it!