Sennebogen warns of used handler risks

The Stanley, North Carolina-based Sennebogen LLC business unit of Germany-based scrap handler manufacturing company Sennebogen Maschinenfabrik GmbH says it has encountered machinery brokers who are importing and marketing used Sennebogen machines, "misrepresenting their true condition.”

Sennebogen LLC President Constantino Lannes says his company has the ability to trace the history of properly documented preowned machines offered for sale by reputable dealers and brokers.

However, he warns, he has encountered instances where other brokers are importing and marketing Sennebogen machines, misrepresenting their true condition.

“These brokers often represent themselves as an authorized Sennebogen dealer and [as being] supported by Sennebogen LLC," Lannes says.

“Recently, a customer purchased a used machine advertised and sold with 6,000 hours. After we investigated the service history of this machine, we discovered the machine was imported, the engine equipment condition monitoring (ECM) hours were cleared, and the machine actually had over 15,000 hours.”

In addition to inaccurately reporting operating hours, Lannes says other forms of misrepresentation and false information can involve the machine’s condition, warranty status, service history, availability of manuals, availability of compatible parts and even falsely reported Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approval for electric-powered models.

Sennebogen LLC also says dishonest machinery brokers might sell equipment into the North American market that is missing safety devices such as boom and stick cylinder holding valves, catwalks and safety railings, undercarriage protection and front and top window guards.

In other cases, hybrid cylinders having nitrogen pressure vessels to meet the minimum required United States standards might be missing, carrying instead cylinders that meet lower European standards. Other models might not have the correct installation of hydraulic magnet generator systems for the U.S. market.

“These machines don’t qualify for any warranty in North America, independent of age or hours," Lannes says.

He says recyclers and demolition contractors shopping for a Sennebogen material handler should contact Sennebogen LLC in North Carolina at sales@sennebogenllc.com.