How do I judge a pallet maker’s nailing machines and saws?
Ask for each machine’s maintenance log, then watch a full shift and compare real output with the seller’s claim. Look at blades, nailing heads, guards and feed systems. Ask what parts are still available, and hire a qualified technician to check the key machines.
Make a list of the nailers, saws, resaws, dismantlers and conveyors, with age and the work each does. Identify which one holds up the line. Then request service records, blade changes and repair invoices. Frequent unplanned stops are information. So is a missing log: a plant with no records may simply not look after its machines.
Watch the line for a full shift, not a demonstration. Count the pallets produced and compare with what the seller reports. Look at the quality of the nailing and cuts, scrap rates and rework. Listen for worn bearings and check hoses, belts and feed chains. Ask the operators what slows them down. They often know which machine is on borrowed time.
Check safety. Are guards fitted, interlocks working and emergency stops tested? Ask about injuries and near misses, and have your lawyer review any claims. Then ask about spare parts and who services the machines, especially if older or custom built. Get an equipment specialist to quote repairs and, where useful, a replacement, and use those figures in your own planning. Finally, ask about the people who run and sharpen the equipment. Setup knowledge often lives in one operator, so find out how it is passed on, and plan some overlap with that person after the sale.
Key takeaways
- Request maintenance logs, and watch a full shift of real output.
- Check guards, interlocks and emergency stops on every machine.
- Ask about parts availability and get a technician’s view of key machines.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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