Buying used equipment is common practice for oilfield companies, especially those wishing to cut capital costs and make the most out of their operational budget. Just the same, used equipment have their downside, the most significant of which is wear and tear from their previous working environment. This is why it is important to thoroughly check the equipment’s service history when procuring used machinery as assets for your own business. Here are important considerations you should make when buying oilfield equipment, particularly used units for your operations:
- Check moving components for significant wear. While reconditioned equipment is typically advertised as being restored to optimum working conditions, seeing its working components for yourself is important, to make sure that you are spending money on something worthwhile and will be useful in your operations for a long time.
- Take a look at its maintenance record. One of the best ways to determine whether or not you will still get a good lifespan for the equipment you are buying is to check on its maintenance record so you can determine the frequency and extent of its upkeep throughout its working life.
- Check the machine’s working hours. The number of hours that machinery has worked for is also an important consideration when evaluating an equipment’s condition. Heavy duty machines can withstand tens if not hundreds of thousands of operating hours. These can be extended further with good maintenance and proper use.
- When buying used equipment, always look for signs of wear—not just typical scratches and dings, which are only common and verily negligible, when you are after excellent performance. What you should look for are rust, hairline cracks, and similar types of damages that could lead to operational problems down the line.
- Finally, check the machine’s exhaust system to see if it’s been well maintained. This will also give you a good idea of the overall condition of the system.