An Internal Mixer, whether it is a Banbury mixer or Intermix mixer, is the heart of your rubber processing plant. The market for used rubber internal mixer is wide with sellers spread across. You can find an excellent quality pre-owned rubber mixer that can produce high-quality compound mix, without spending excessively.

Your purchase decision on used or pre-owned machinery has to be thoughtfully made. Because you will see that even in the secondary market for internal mixers, the costs are relatively high considering there could be additional rebuild costs (if not already refurbished by the rebuilder). In any case, you are making a significant investment from your affordability standards and hence you need to consider a variety of factors to help assess the mixer’s value to your rubber compounding requirements and, ultimately, to your bottom line.

Here are 7 Must-Ask Questions when buying used rubber internal mixer that will help you appraise the second-hand or rebuilt mixer value and usefulness to your rubber compounding operations.

1. What are my mixer requirements?

You need to have a clear idea of what you wish to buy. This entails knowing capacity, the mixing process for your rubber compounding requirements, matching upstream and downstream machinery availability in your rubber mixing room and the remaining useful life of the equipment you are willing to live with.

(Read my post on the Internal Mixer Selection Questionnaire where you can also download a template. You can modify this template to clarify your needs and refine your decision process).

2. What is my budget?

Your budget will be a crucial purchase factor including the brand, exact model and vintage of the mixer that you can buy. You should have clarity of breakup of costs associated with your batch mixer purchase.

This includes the cost of additional space required (in case you are expanding operations), cost of dismantling (if mixer is running at a particular location) and transporting the mixer to your factory, actual cost of mixer, its controls and accessories to be paid to the seller; plus various duties applicable, to name a few.

3. Should I partner the right people – the pre-owned equipment sellers?

Given the global nature of rubber compounding business, there are internal mixers available across the key global markets. Hence, it is not possible for you to be informed about the best deals out there in terms of overall cost and mixer quality. This is where pre-owned equipment sellers or dealers come in to help you.

I think, a good dealer will be able to present you with multiple options and help you select the best used mixer for your requirement.

4. Is the mixer I am considering to buy in Good Working Condition?

Whether buying used or rebuild mixer, you must always test them whenever feasible or you should ask for a start-up guarantee assurance. This is a precaution to be sure that the mixer is in good running order before your final purchase decision.

If you are buying a running mixer, you can easily test them on-site before dismantling. Or if you are buying from a warehouse, many of the reputed used rubber machinery dealers provide arrangements to allow you to test the mixer at least on a test-bed (if not on-site) to help you make a quick purchase decision.

Else, the last resort is a start-up guarantee assurance from the seller. Reputed used machinery dealers  will be transparent on the condition of the mixers they sell, but it is always smart that you check.

When buying with motor and controls, you should verify the operations and safety of electrical components and software licences along with its adaptability to your country of installation. (If not working properly of found unsuitable, you need to factor in the cost of its replacement into your purchase cost)

Another key aspect to check is whether the pre-owned mixer that you propose to buy comes with complete set of manuals, schematics and diagrams. (You may read my earlier post on mixer maintenance here.)

5. Should I do Visual inspection?

Absolutely. Though the internet has made your communication easy and you can conduct a lot of your business communication online. You can even demand pictures and videos of your mixer in consideration through email. However, there is no alternative to physically inspecting the machinery you are going to purchase.

Used mixers are usually not warranted. This means you need to know the extent of rebuild or refurbishment, and get an idea of the actual state of the internal mixer.

You should insist on a test run of the mixer in your presence and keep your eyes and ears open for tell-tale signs of machine ill-health such as unusual vibrations or noise. Question the maintenance practices of the previous owner and keep your eyes open for worn out parts and leakages.

Additionally, your visual observation of the machinery empowers you to negotiate better with the seller.

6. Should I Buy a Standard Model of a Brand Name?

When it comes to buying pre-owned mixers, brand plays an important role. Buying standard models of branded and reputed manufacturers of used mixers can assure you about its quality. In addition to this, you will find it very easy to get spares and servicing for a standard internal mixer models in case of future repairs.

On the other hand, if you go for non-branded or non-standard rubber internal mixer, buying and maintaining the spares can prove a difficult task.

7. Should I get everything on paper?

I think this is a very important step whether you are buying new or used rubber machinery.

You should get everything on record, from the first formal quotation, the details of the rubber machinery, the accompanying accessories, delivery terms, mode of payment, extent of buyer liability, seller liability, etc. It could be an exhaustive document or a simple set of key clauses basis your comfort – either way they are critical to your purchase. (You may wish to explore the rubber machinery purchase and sale agreement here. Preview – Rubber Machinery Purchase and Sale Agreement Template  To buy the full agreement kindly email me directly.)

Once you have answered these questions satisfactorily and determined which factors are most important in your current purchase decision, you can confidently negotiate and purchase a pre-owned mixer that will meet your rubber compounding requirements.

Summarizing, when buying used rubber internal mixer, you need to conduct a proactive due-diligence; identify and partner the apt seller for your needs, and have proper documentation in place. When you make an informed used or pre-owned internal mixer purchase, you avoid buyer’s remorse. 

Happy Buying!

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