The Ultimate Guide to Buying or Leasing a Used Concrete Batch Plant
Buying or leasing a used concrete plant can represent a significant savings over new, but only with careful planning, shopping and inspection. Don’t buy someone else’s problem. Do your homework. Here’s an outline of the key areas to consider when you’re in the market for a used concrete plant.
1. Planning
Add Up Budget Items
Know your limits by budgeting before you get too far down the road. Don’t break the bank. Many buyers of used equipment should look at both new and used concrete batch plants to see what makes the most sense financially. Hidden costs can quickly escalate the price of a used plant making it difficult to justify over a new plant at times.
– Purchase price
– Zoning, Permitting
– Building enclosure
– Commissions and inspection fees
– Disassembly and shipping
– Site preparation
– Erection
– Plumbing and electrical hookups
– Plant startup and Training
Decide on Plant Configuration
What is your mission? Make sure you’re buying the right plant for the right job.
Stationary, portable, self-erecting
Low profile required due to zoning or other considerations
Layout restrictions due to property size or topography
Determine Desired Production Capacity
Estimate yards per hour based on job requirements, number of trucks or molds to fill.
Specify Raw Materials
Aggregates – Crushed stone, gravel, sand. How many separate bins or bin compartments do you need?
Cement and related materials – Portland cement, fly ash, slag. How many silos or silo compartments do you need?
To make a rough calculation of raw material quantities, work backward from estimated production capacity. Aggregates are 60%-70% of the mix by volume; cementitious materials are 9%-15% by volume; and water is 15%-16% by volume.
Consider Accessory Equipment and Buildings
– Central dust collector, water heaters and chillers, computerized batcher, admix dispensers, pneumatic dispatch system
– Dispatch office, batch room, outbuildings
2. Shopping Tips
Questions to ask
Are photographs available? Don’t be shy about asking for detailed photos.
What year was the plant manufactured?
Is the plant currently in operation?
If not, is it fully assembled?
How many yards have be produced by the plant?
Does an automatic control system come with the plant?
Is there a central mixer?
Video: Learn about Central Mixers
Video: Additional information about Tilt Mixers
How many cement silos are there?
How many aggregate bins are there?
What extras are there?
– Central dust collector
– Water heater and chiller
– Buildings such as batch room, dispatch office, lunchroom, etc.
– Admix dispensers
3. Inspecting a Plant
What to look for
Overall condition – rust, paint (or lack thereof), obvious wear and tear.
Aggregate bins, batchers – inspect wear areas for repairability.
Video: Learn about how quality construction affects aggregate bins
Belt conveyors – check belt condition, look for gearbox leaks, bad grease seals, worn idlers.
Cement silos and batchers – look for dust, hardened cement, leaks.
Dust collectors – check for tears, leaks, hardened dust, effective performance
4. Completing the Purchase
Understand the transaction and what’s included
– Don’t hesitate to lean on your dealer and ask questions. Caveat Emptor is the rule of used equipment unless you are given a written warrantee in writing by an authorized dealer.
Complete the transaction
– Sign relevant documents, Ensure that all equipment is free of liens and comes with a letter of indemnity that states the equipment is unencumbered and is free from judgments, loans or liens
– Transfer funds to seller via certified funds or electronic funds transfer.
– If financing or leasing, ensure that all monies are secured prior to arranging transportation.
Take delivery
– Oversee delivery to prepared site and ensure that all equipment arrives safe and secure. We recommend having someone take pictures once the equipment is loaded but prior to shipping.
Erect the plant
– Ask your dealer to connect you with reputable erectors.
Purchasing a pre-owned plant is a process that can and should be an enjoyable experience. If you feel as if you need any assistance with any aspect of your used plant purchase, from pre-purchase inspection to erection and start up, please contact one of our batch plant experts at 888-378-6223 or info@usedconcrete.com