Used Equipment Acquisition Checklist

 

When you purchase a used roaster or ancillary equipment from CEPros, you have the choice of either allowing us to handle all aspects of equipment relocation or doing it yourself. If you choose the latter, it's important for you to understand all that this complex process can entail.

The below checklist outlines the Seller's responsibilities, along with general transport and freight-prep considerations for the Buyer.

As always, our goal is to make your equipment purchasing experience with us as hassle-free as possible. The below information is only a guide and not exhaustive. We're here to discuss your options and help you make the best choice.

Equipment Logistics: Seller Responsibility

It is the equipment seller's responsibility to:

  • Disconnect the equipment from all utilities (electrical, fuel, air, water, or other direct connections).
  • Disconnect the chimney (if applicable) from the machine.
  • Have the equipment accessible for removal.
  • Be available to assist in the process.

Equipment Logistics: Buyer Responsibility 

Once the Seller has completed the necessary steps, it is usually the Buyer's responsibility to pick up and transport the equipment. This includes:

  • Communicating with the Seller and/or Broker.
  • Renting any necessary equipment (sourcing, coordination, and payment for forklifts, scissor lifts, pallet jacks, cherry pickers, tools, etc.).
  • Sourcing, coordinating, and purchasing materials for protection and packaging (such as pre-made crates, wood, screws, clips, D-rings, straps, padding, etc.).
  • Removing the chimney up to the inside roof line if it is part of the purchase.
  • Sourcing, coordinating, and paying for crating services, including hiring professional crating companies, riggers, handymen, moving companies, and others for physical removal and loading onto a truck.
  • Sourcing, coordinating, and paying for a freight company, including options for insurance, delivery appointments, inside delivery, and customs/border crossing fees (if international), and more.
  • Coordinating "white-glove service" with the freight company if you choose this option for delivery assistance.
  • Handling all other requirements necessary to relocate the purchased equipment.

Freight-Prep Tips for Buyer

Most coffee roastery equipment will need to be prepared for shipping, which includes the following steps:

  • Disassembling equipment as required for safe transport and to manage size.
  • Wrapping and protecting individual parts, especially the roaster.
  • Paying special attention to delicate components like computer screens, knobs, switches, and other fragile items.
  • Crating or palletizing the equipment, which may involve building a custom skid to accommodate size and weight and allow for forklift and pallet jack access.
  • Strapping or bolting the equipment securely to the pallet or skid.
  • Constructing a secure and professional crate around the equipment, including padding and bracing. Slat-crating is sometimes an option.
  • Applying indicators for fragility, tilt, shock, heavy ends, and other.
  • Pre-built crates are also available for purchase and shipping. These typically use clips to connect the manufactured wood pieces, rather than screws or nails.

Freight Coordination Tips for Buyer

When coordinating freight, it's important to consider the following:

  • You will need the dimensions and weights of the final prepared equipment.
  • Different types of trucks are used for transportation:
    • Sprinter van for smaller equipment.
    • Box trucks are typically enclosed and used for dedicated loads.
    • Flat-bed trucks (makes it easy for side-loading).
    • Conestoga/curtain trucks (makes it easy for side-loading).
    • Drop-deck truck (for extremely high loads).
    • LTL (Less than Truckload) shipments are shared with other products and may stop at multiple destinations, involving terminal transfers and truck exchanges.

The distance traveled will affect how the equipment is prepared for shipping:

  • For LTL shared loads, the equipment must always be fully crated for protection.
  • For all the rest, full crating is usually not necessary.

Additionally, you will typically need to set up accounts with freight forwarders or brokers.