Things to know before buying a used crane for heavy lifting

In scenes such as construction, port handling, energy construction, and industrial assembly, heavy cranes play an irreplaceable role as key equipment. With the acceleration of equipment replacement and the emphasis on cost control, more and more companies and individual users have turned their attention to the second-hand crane market. So, when faced with a wide variety of used cranes for sale with huge price differences, what core issues should buyers understand?

Why choose a used crane?

1. Obvious cost advantage

Compared with a brand new crane, the price of a used crane price can usually save 30% to 70%, which undoubtedly greatly reduces the initial investment for small and medium-sized projects or short-term operation needs.

2. Fast equipment delivery

New equipment may require a longer production and transportation cycle, while second-hand cranes can generally be "ready to use", greatly shortening the construction preparation time.

3. Slow depreciation and high value retention rate

Compared with the rapid depreciation of new machines, buying a second-hand machine can avoid the peak depreciation stage, the value retention cycle is relatively long, and it is easier to resell later.

Understand the current market situation and trends

The hot used crane market machinery stems from the increase in global infrastructure investment and equipment demand. International large-scale equipment trading platforms and local professional markets have emerged one after another, providing more abundant resources of used cranes for sale.

1.Market situation:

• Active supply and demand: Especially for truck cranes and crawler cranes, there is a strong demand.
• Price fluctuations are obvious: Crane prices vary greatly due to factors such as age, equipment condition, and maintenance history.

2.Trend forecast:

• The proportion of digital platform transactions has increased;
• More emphasis is placed on equipment certification and compliance information.
• Electrified and intelligent cranes will gradually enter the second-hand market.

Clarify your own use needs

Before purchasing, you should fully evaluate your own working conditions, including but not limited to the following points:

l Operation weight requirements: Choose a model with a suitable rated lifting weight.

l Operation height and range: Ensure that the arm length and lifting height cover the operation point.

l Terrain conditions: For irregular ground, crawler equipment should be considered.

l Frequency and duration: Short-term operations are suitable for flexible and convenient models, while long-term use considers durability.

l Site space: Narrow areas are suitable for small cranes or compact designs.

Clearly defining the purpose will help lock in the target model and avoid wasting resources by blindly pursuing high configuration.

Main types of used crane machinery

Depending on the power form, movement mode and purpose, common types of used cranes include:

1. Truck Cranes

Suitable for road transportation, with strong flexibility, suitable for tasks with frequent movement between construction sites and urban roads.

2. Crawler Cranes

With strong ground adaptability and strong load-bearing capacity, they are suitable for special environments such as large-scale projects and unstable foundations.

3. All-Terrain Cranes

Taking into account both off-road capabilities and high-speed driving, they are the main equipment for high-end projects.

4. Tower Cranes

Commonly used in high-rise building construction, they can achieve high-altitude lifting.

5. Gantry Cranes

Suitable for loading and unloading operations in factories or ports, and can cover large-span operation areas.

Key factors that must be checked before purchasing

Buying second-hand equipment is different from new machines. In addition to appearance and function tests, a detailed and comprehensive inspection is required:

1. Years and hours of use

The age and total working hours of the equipment are the core indicators reflecting the degree of wear and tear. Attention should be paid to whether there is a history of high-intensity continuous operation.

2. Repair and maintenance records

Machines with detailed maintenance documents mean long-term professional maintenance and lower risks of use.

3. Structural integrity inspection

The main arm, outriggers, and chassis are fully inspected for cracks, deformation, and weld spot shedding.

4. Hydraulic and electrical system inspection

Ensure that there is no leakage in the hydraulic oil circuit, the pressure is normal, and there is no abnormal alarm in the electronic control system.

5. Complete safety devices

Limiters, torque limiters, tilt alarm systems, etc., must be complete and available.

Understand the price range and quotation logic

The main factors affecting the crane price are:

1. Brand and origin: European and American brands have high premiums, and domestic brands have high cost performance.

2. Years of use: The value retention rate is high within 5 years, and the price drops significantly after more than 10 years.

3. Tonnage: The larger the lifting capacity, the higher the unit price.

4. Configuration differences: such as whether it has a jib, a variable frequency control system, and a remote control device.

5. Market popularity: The price of popular models is firm, while the bargaining space for unpopular models is large.

Choose the right purchasing channels and transaction methods

The current mainstream used cranes purchasing channels include:

1. Offline physical dealers

l Advantages: You can view and test the machine on site, and provide quality assurance;

l Disadvantages: The price is slightly higher and there are regional restrictions.

2. Second-hand machinery auction platform

l Advantages: Transparent transactions and many equipment;

l Disadvantages: Few after-sales services, and self-testing is required.

3. Professional e-commerce platforms

Such as Second-hand Construction Machinery Network, MachineryTrader, etc.;

• Advantages: Fast information updates and wide coverage;
• Disadvantages: Time-consuming comparison and screening, and false information needs to be identified.

Summary: The core logic of used cranes procurement

Look at the equipment with a professional eye and make decisions in a rational way.

If purchasers can make scientific assessments, inspect crane machinery independently, and trade cautiously, they can obtain efficient, safe, and durable lifting tools with lower investment.

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