Buying a Used Packaging Machine: These Factors Are Key

Buying Used: An Opportunity with Pitfalls

The market for used packaging machinery is vast: companies sell equipment after line conversions, dealers stock refurbished machines, and auction houses liquidate entire production lines. Prices are significantly lower than those of new machines—and the risks are often hidden. This article outlines the five key considerations that must underpin every decision to purchase used equipment. Those buying new equipment will find the selection criteria in the VFFS Guide and in the Guide to Bag Packaging Machines.

Checkpoint 1: Condition and Wear

The wear parts of a packaging machine reveal its true condition better than the operating hours:

• Sealing Belts and Sealing Wheels: Cracks, worn-away coatings, and uneven jaw surfaces mean leaky seams—replacement can cost four figures, depending on the machine. Check the operating hours: A machine with 5,000 operating hours has a different history than one with 30,000.
• Drives and Bearings: Visually inspect chains, pulleys, and bearings for play; have the servo drives checked for error logs in the control system.
• Molded parts: Not every used machine comes with the complete set of format parts. Without the format shoulder for your bag size, the machine is unusable—or requires expensive new parts.
• Controls: Aging control systems (outdated software, end-of-support) make sourcing replacement parts a gamble. Systems that are around 15 years old are a critical concern here.

Checkpoint 2: Spare Parts Availability

The question to ask before buying any used equipment: Are replacement parts available, and from whom? Check three sources: the manufacturer or its service organization (is the model still in production?), the open market (standard components such as Siemens controllers, Festo valves, and SMC cylinders are not a concern), and the machine dealer itself (do they carry wear parts?). Machines with custom components and no documentation will come to a standstill at the first sign of a malfunction.

Checkpoint 3: CE Conformity and Safety Level

Used machinery within the European Economic Area is subject to the Machinery Directive: The seller must provide a declaration of conformity and demonstrate that the machinery meets current safety standards—including guards, emergency stop buttons, and protective devices. Refurbished machines require a new conformity assessment with documentation of the modifications. If the CE documentation is missing, the operator is liable in the event of damage. This inspection must be conducted before the purchase, not after delivery.

Checkpoint 4: Documentation and History

What documents to request: circuit diagrams, operating instructions, spare parts lists, maintenance history, and the recipe list for previous products. The recipes reveal which products the machine has actually processed—a VFFS machine used for coffee recipes has performed differently than one used for continuous cement production. Also: Ask why the machine is being sold. A line change is a good reason; chronic malfunctions are not.

Checkpoint 5: Test run with your own product and your own film

The crucial test: The machine must be up and running before any money changes hands. Using your own product, your own film, and your own format part—if in doubt, conduct an acceptance test at the dealer’s facility with a written report. The test run answers the question that no inspection can: Does this machine package my product at my cycle rate with my required precision? Require at least 60 minutes of continuous operation and document the cycle rate, reject rate, and seal quality—a reject rate exceeding 1 % during continuous operation is a warning sign.

When It Makes Sense to Use It—and When It Doesn't

The honest assessment: Buying used saves on the initial purchase price but comes with risks—downtime, searching for replacement parts, and retrofitting. Buying new eliminates these risks but involves the cost of the purchase plus training. To make a sound decision, both options must be factored into the calculation; the specific figures are provided in the inquiry along with the product data sheet and format list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old can a used packaging machine be?

Mechanically, packaging machines last 20 years or longer. The control and drive systems become critical after about 15 years—at that point, replacement parts and support become scarce. The condition of the machine is what matters, not just the year it was built: A well-maintained, used machine running at 50 cycles per minute may be in better shape than a newer machine with worn sealing belts.

How much does an overhaul cost?

Depending on the scope: sealing bands, gaskets, wear parts, and electrical components can range from four to five figures. The cost of an overhaul can be calculated—but not for a machine for which spare parts are unavailable.

Is it worth buying a used VFFS from China?

If replacement parts and form parts are included in the delivery and there is a contact person for support—yes. Without these two things, the first defect spells the end of the line; then a new Vertical filling and capping machine Definitely the safer bet.

What should be checked upon delivery?

Check that everything is included as specified in the purchase agreement (format components, tools, documentation), take photos of the condition, file the test run report, and immediately document any defects in writing—the burden of proof shifts after acceptance.

Related pages: VFFS Guide | Guide to Bag Packaging Machines | Format Change on Packaging Machines | Vertical Filling and Sealing Machine

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