Used food processing equipment offers a convenient and cost-effective option for food manufacturers. The various stages of food processing necessitate the use of different types of machines that are expensive. When a manufacturer wants to replace old equipment or an entrepreneur intends to start a plant, used equipment offers a viable solution. However, buying second-hand machines for food processing is not a decision to take lightly.
Why Inspect
It is essential to ensure that the equipment is fully functional. Buying faulty machines only mean spending more money on repairs. It is for this reason that inspection is one of the most fundamental stages of buying used equipment. Even when buying the equipment from an online source, never forgo the inspection step.
Whatever type of equipment you are buying, ensure that you have an expert to help you make evaluations. Here are some of the aspects to remember during the inspection of used food processing equipment.
Lubrication – A machine with moving parts should have proper lubrication. Check the grease, filters, oil, and fittings. The filtration system must be in good working condition too. Look at the lubricants in use and ensure that they don’t have contaminants.
Utility connections – Whether the equipment uses gas, steam, or electricity, ensure that all the connections are of good quality. Examine the different capacities like the frequency, flow rate and voltage. Safety components – Processing machines have various safety features like kill switches, vents, doors, insulation and valves. Ensure that the components that matter are not faulty in any way. Rotating shafts – If a machine has shafts, watch out for bends and cracks and ensure to they are stable enough to move by hand.
Coating – Owners may use coatings to hide faults in machines, so check for any fresh ones. Check for chipping and scratching of the machine’s coating. Controls – Machines have different types of controls like switches, push buttons, panels, alarms and timers. Verify that all displays are clear and that controls perform their functions properly.
When buying used food processing equipment, check the overall maintenance of a machine because it will tell you a lot. Ask for the log book so you can verify the maintenance programs.
The post Inspecting Used Food Processing Machines Before Buying appeared first on Guide.