Any business that deals with lifting, lowering and transferring heavy loads from one place to another relies a lot on cranes. These machines are normally very expensive. You will realise that many construction companies opt for a crane rental as opposed to making a large investment in purchasing a new crane. However, if a construction company has regular use for cranes, purchasing might not be a bad decision. Did you know that buying used cranes can help you a great deal? Since the price of a new crane is too high, buying a used one can be a viable option. However, there are some considerations that you should take while buying a second-hand crane. They include the following:
- Budget.
Your budget should be the first consideration. You will realise that most people overlook this consideration because they have limited time. Your company can be awarded a large contract where you will need to have several cranes to do construction work. Your cranes might not be equal to this task thereby making you to go an extra mile of getting another crane to facilitate construction work. The process of searching for another crane can be overwhelming. This is the reason why you should have a good plan on how much you want to spend on a crane. This will help you narrow your search and speed up the whole process.
- Machine history.
It is very fundamental that you find out the history of the crane before buying it.This involves the applications for which it was used and so on. In addition, you should check the model of the crane as well as the hours in which it has worked. It is also important to look out for major damage repairs and reports of accidents. Corrosion is one destructive element that is normally overlooked. Do not leave anything to chance. It is good to ensure that the machine is in good working condition.
- Inspection.
Do not forget to undertake a comprehensive inspection of those cranes before buying them. You can actually hire the services of an independent certified crane inspector. He or she may charge you a certain fee for inspection. These inspections can actually save you a lot of money and help you avoid costly repairs. This will go a long way in helping to consider your options wisely. It will help you a great deal.
- Availability of spare parts.
Old cranes can give you a headache while looking for their spare parts. However, newer models can save you the agony of looking for spare parts. You should go for the model whose spare parts can be found locally.
- Availability of the manufacturer.
You should enquire whether the manufacturer is still in business or have been acquired by another business. Buying a crane that is 5-10 years old might not be a problem, but older cranes will always have challenges. These older cranes normally have limited technology. They might not be very convenient for you.
Used cranes can still serve the same purpose of a new crane. You can actually save a lot of money by buying used cranes than new cranes. However, it is important that you take the above mentioned considerations before acquiring one. Many people have taken those considerations and have enjoyed the results. The above mentioned considerations will help you a great deal.