Used recycling equipment can be a smart way to add capacity faster or reduce upfront spend—but only if you inspect the right items and price the project as a system, not a single machine. A “good deal” on a shredder becomes expensive if the rotor is damaged, the electrical system is obsolete, or you cannot source wear parts on a predictable lead time.
This guide covers where to find used recycling machinery and how to evaluate it like a plant engineer: scope, inspection, test runs, paperwork, and contract terms.
Quick Takeaways
- Start with a scope-of-supply checklist (what is included vs missing).
- Inspect the cutting chamber first on size reduction machines; it drives rebuild cost.
- Require a test run when possible—ideally with your own material.
- Price installation, utilities, and commissioning—not just the machine.
- Treat used equipment as risk management: you are buying remaining life plus documentation.
Used Equipment Types: “As-Is” vs Refurbished vs Remanufactured
Sellers use these labels loosely, so define them in writing:
- As-is: you buy the machine in its current condition with limited or no warranty.
- Refurbished: selected wear parts are replaced and the machine is cleaned/painted; the scope varies.
- Remanufactured/rebuilt: critical wear items (bearings, seals, knives, screens, hydraulics, controls) are rebuilt to a defined standard with test documentation.
If the seller cannot list exactly what was replaced, treat it as “as-is,” even if it is painted.
New vs Used: The Practical Trade-Off
| Decision Factor | New Equipment | Used Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Lead time | Usually longer (design + build) | Often faster if stock is ready |
| Fit to your material | Can be configured for your spec | Fixed configuration; you adapt your process |
| Warranty/support | Clear supplier support path | Varies; confirm parts and drawings |
| Risk | Lower if the supplier is qualified | Higher; inspection quality matters |
| Commissioning effort | Supplier typically supports setup and training | Often buyer-managed; missing sensors/guards add time and cost |
Where to Find Used Recycling Equipment (And What to Expect)
- Plant closures and line upgrades
- Best case: you can see the machine running and get maintenance history, spares records, and drawings.
- Dealers and refurbishers
- Ask what was actually rebuilt (bearings, seals, knives, hydraulics, electrical) versus cosmetic work.
- Auctions
- Treat auctions as “no guarantees.” Budget for higher uncertainty and self-managed logistics, rigging, and missing parts.
If your main goal is predictable output and service support, compare the total used-equipment project cost against a new turnkey configuration such as Energycle’s recycling solutions offerings.
The Inspection Checklist (What Matters Most)
Think in four layers: condition, documentation, test run, and integration.
| Due-Diligence Item | What to Ask/Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of supply | Exact list of machines, conveyors, controls, guarding, spares, manuals | Missing modules (pumps, sensors, guards) often cost more than expected. |
| Electrical compatibility | Voltage/frequency, panel drawings, PLC type, safety circuits | Controls retrofits can exceed the machine purchase price. |
| Wear components | Knives, screens, wear plates, bearings, seals, screw/barrel condition | Wear sets your rebuild budget and your planned downtime. |
| Test run evidence | Cold start + run under load, video and data where possible | A “running” claim without load can hide vibration, overheating, or poor throughput. |
| Spare parts pathway | OEM identity, model/serial number, parts drawings, lead time | You need predictable knives, screens, bearings, and seals to keep uptime. |
A) Shredders and granulators (size reduction)
Focus on the cutting chamber first:
- Rotor condition: cracks, heavy gouging, non-factory welds, bent shaft indicators
- Knife seats and bolt holes: damaged threads or distorted seats increase rebuild risk
- Chamber wear plates: confirm they are replaceable and not worn through
- Screen basket: deformation or missing sections affect output and safety
- Bearings and seals: signs of heat, grease leakage, or contamination
If you expect to replace knives, confirm parts availability. Energycle supports wear parts such as replacement blades for plastic granulators and replacement shredder blades.
If you are buying a used shredder for bulky parts, use a new-machine reference like Energycle’s single shaft shredder page to confirm chamber layout, hydraulic pusher function, and the wear-part list you should request.
B) Extruders and pelletizing systems
Key questions:
- What is the screw/barrel wear condition (hours, material history, rebuild records)?
- What filtration system is included (screen changer type, spare screens, hydraulic pack)?
- Does the electrical system match your plant voltage and frequency?
- If the line includes vacuum degassing, what pumps, seals, and gauges are included, and how is leak rate verified?
If you are comparing options, Energycle’s plastic pelletizer machines page helps align terminology across feeding, venting, filtration, and pelletizing methods.
C) Washing lines
Hidden costs often sit in:
- conveyors and water piping
- pumps, tanks, and level sensors
- wastewater handling modules
- dewatering and hot-air drying modules
If you are considering a used wash plant, compare it to a modern layout such as Energycle’s recycling washing system to spot missing modules (pre-wash, separation, dewatering, drying, and water management).
Do This Before You Pay
- Request drawings, wiring diagrams, and a parts list.
- Confirm serial number and manufacturer identity.
- Ask for a cold start and a run under load (video is better than photos).
- List missing items (controls, pumps, guards, conveyors) and price them.
- Budget rigging, freight, foundations, installation, and commissioning.
Purchase Agreement Terms That Reduce Risk
Even when you buy “as-is,” you can still reduce risk with clear language:
- Acceptance criteria: define what “running” means (amps, vibration, temperatures, throughput under load).
- Documentation delivery: manuals, drawings, PLC program backups, wiring schematics.
- Missing parts list: attach a checklist and deduct cost for missing safety guards, sensors, and conveyors.
- Packaging and rigging responsibilities: who disconnects utilities, who crates, who loads, who provides lifting plans.
- Return/repair clause: even a short warranty window can catch obvious defects discovered during installation.
If you want a second opinion on a used line—or you want a new line built to your material—contact Energycle via its contact page.
FAQ (Real Procurement Questions)
1) Is it safer to buy a used shredder/granulator than a used pelletizer?
Often yes, because mechanical condition is easier to assess on size-reduction equipment than on extrusion and filtration systems. With shredders and granulators, you can inspect the rotor, knife seats, screens, bearings, and wear plates directly, and you can usually predict rebuild cost. Pelletizing lines hide risk in screw/barrel wear, gearbox condition, filtration hydraulics, and control logic—items that may only show problems under sustained load and real contamination. If you do buy used pelletizing equipment, insist on a load test, document the filtration configuration, and confirm parts lead times for the screw, heaters, sensors, and screen-change components.
2) What documents should I require from the seller before I place a deposit?
At minimum: nameplate photos (model/serial), layout drawings, electrical drawings, a parts list, and any maintenance history available. For PLC-controlled machines, request the PLC/HMI model list and a backup of the program and parameters. For used lines, ask for a scope-of-supply list that includes conveyors, guarding, sensors, pumps, and spare parts. Documentation reduces integration cost because your electrician and installer can plan wiring, power, and safety circuits before the machine arrives. If the seller cannot provide basic drawings, budget extra time for reverse-engineering and consider whether a new turnkey system is a lower-risk path.
3) What is a realistic used-equipment test run if I cannot ship my own material?
Ask for a cold start, then a run under load for long enough to reach steady conditions (not just a short spin). For shredders and granulators, ask for video of cutting with a similar plastic and a close-up of discharge quality and motor load. For pelletizers, ask for melt pressure and temperature stability, pellet appearance, and a description of filtration behavior (screen-change events, pressure rise rate). If you cannot run your own material, document the substitute material properties, including moisture and contamination, and treat any “capacity” claim as conditional until you complete a site acceptance test.
4) How do I estimate rebuild cost before I buy?
Build a parts-and-labor checklist tied to the machine’s wear items. For shredders/granulators, that usually includes knives, screens, wear plates, bearings, seals, and alignment checks. For pelletizers, add heaters, thermocouples, sensors, hydraulic packs, and (most importantly) the screw and barrel condition. Ask the seller for recent amperage and temperature data, and inspect for overheating marks, oil leaks, and vibration. Then compare your rebuild estimate to the price gap versus a new machine. If the rebuild cost plus downtime risk approaches the cost of a new system with support, the “deal” is gone.
5) What are the biggest red flags when buying used equipment from an auction?
Missing documentation and missing safety components are the most common. In auctions, machines are often disconnected quickly and sold without PLC backups, manuals, or guarding. Assume you will handle rigging and that parts may be missing (motors, sensors, hydraulic hoses, even screens). Also assume no warranty. If you pursue auction equipment, inspect in person, photograph nameplates and control panels, and price electrical work and guarding upgrades up front. OSHA’s resources on machine guarding and lockout/tagout are useful references when you build your safety retrofit scope.
