Refurbished vs. New Machines

On the food machinery market, the same model can often be bought three ways: as-is used, refurbished (sometimes called reconditioned), or brand new. The three differ in price, and in risk.

The Difference Between the Three

• As-is used machine: Sold as it stands; at most the seller cleans the exterior and confirms it powers on. It's the cheapest, and the buyer takes on the work and risk of reconditioning and replacing parts. For what to check, see What to Watch for in a Used Encrusting Machine.
• Refurbished machine: The seller disassembles, cleans, replaces wear parts, and adjusts the machine before selling it. The price falls between the other two, and the quality depends on how deep the refurbishment goes.
• New machine: All-new parts and the latest design, with a complete manual and after-sales support from the manufacturer.

There's no uniform standard for the word "refurbished"; some only redo the exterior, while others practically strip and rebuild the whole machine. So the key isn't the label but what was actually done.

What Does Refurbishment Include?

A thorough refurbishment usually covers:

Mechanical

• Full disassembly, removing old grease and residue.
• Replacing wear parts: feed screw or vanes, cutting shutter pieces, bearings, seals, gaskets, belts, conveyor belt.
• Inspecting and reconditioning food-contact surfaces so they're smooth and free of cracks and dents.
• Relubricating, with food-grade lubricants on parts that contact or may contact food.

Electrical

• Checking wiring, insulation, and grounding.
• Replacing aging switches, relays, and sensors.
• Updating the controller or inverter as needed, or converting to specifications suited to Taiwan's voltage and frequency.
• Testing safety devices such as the emergency stop and guard interlocks.

Appearance and trial run

• Removing rust from the frame, repainting, or polishing.
• Running a trial with real ingredients and recording speed and weight variance.

What to Ask the Seller to Put in Writing

We recommend asking for a written refurbishment list:

1. Which parts were replaced, and which original parts were cleaned and reused.
2. Whether the control system and electrical components were updated.
3. The power specifications after modification (voltage, phase, frequency).
4. The ingredients used in the trial run, and the speed and weight range measured.
5. Warranty scope and period, and warranty exclusions (for example, wear parts are usually not covered).
6. How parts will be supplied in the future.

What About Warranties on Refurbished Machines?

There's no fixed standard for warranties, and every seller's terms differ. Common differences include: length of the warranty period, whether parts and labor are included, whether wear parts and damage caused by misuse are excluded, and the scope of on-site repairs. All of these should be written into the contract. For Dong-Yih Machinery's warranty and service terms, please call us directly.

How Much Do Prices Differ?

The price difference between refurbished and new machines depends on the model, year, depth of refurbishment, and market supply and demand; there's no fixed ratio. When comparing, don't just look at the sticker price; look at the "total cost of ownership":

• Refurbished: purchase price + parts replacement and repair costs that come up sooner + downtime risk.
• New: higher purchase price, but wear part replacement cycles start from zero, and operation is more up to date.

For the method, see How to Calculate Payback, and put both options in the same table for comparison.

When Is a Refurbished Machine a Good Fit?

• You want a specific older model that's been discontinued or whose new version has different specs.
• Your budget is limited, but you don't want to take on the risk of an as-is used machine.
• Your product requirements are clear, and an older model can handle them.

How Dong-Yih Machinery Can Help

Since 1989, Dong-Yih Machinery has had a machinery repair shop. For whether refurbished machines are available and what the refurbishment and terms involve, please call us (06-257-4644).

FAQ

Q: Is a refurbished machine the same as a used machine?
A: No. An as-is used machine is sold as it stands, while a refurbished machine is disassembled, cleaned, fitted with new wear parts, and adjusted, though the depth of refurbishment varies by seller.

Q: Do refurbished machines come with a warranty?
A: It depends on the seller's terms. Write the warranty period, scope, and exclusions into the contract.

Q: How much cheaper is a refurbished machine than a new one?
A: There's no fixed ratio; it depends on the model, year, and depth of refurbishment. We recommend comparing total cost of ownership.

Q: How can I tell whether a refurbishment was done well?
A: Ask the seller for a written parts replacement list, electrical inspection items, and trial-run records, and run a trial yourself with your own ingredients.