NEW, USED OR REBUILT: YOU MAKE THE CALL!

    It is not uncommon to receive two or three calls a week about rebuilding sweepers versus buying a new one. With the prices souring, it is typical to see $50,000 for a rider sweeper/scrubber and $10,000 for a walk-behind sweeper. So it is a balancing act for many companies to decide for a new, rebuilt or used. New is the way to go if you don't have to worry about a budget.

    I am not keen on used unless a task has to be performed cheaply and is not long term, i.e. perhaps you are moving your company within six months to a year and you need something to clean-up the place before, during and after the move. I think, also rebuilt has its place. If you're a company that needs, for example, a Tennant 800 and 810 Sweeper and the budget isn't there for a new machine, then a rebuilt is a very viable way to accomplish this. Another thing you have to look at is the equipment that is being rebuilt. Tennant machines, as a whole, are very good to rebuild because they will hold up after a rebuild. Another words, you have to rebuild equipment that is quality equipment to begin with.

    I received a call on one occasion recently in regards to a new walk-behind sweeper. I quoted a Tennant 3640 which he thought was a little on the expensive side and said, "I have an old Tennant walk-behind sweeper somewhere in the building, do you think it's worth fixing?" I replied, "You get me the model and I can advise you."

    So, a week eventually went by before he called back and informed me that he had a Tennant 186E, a walk-behind sweeper. This machine was built between roughly 1991 to 1997. It is an electric model, 24 volt, and is self-propelled. It has a main broom and side broom. It is a very desirable piece for a company 30,000 square feet or less because it is very easy to maintain and not expensive to do so.

    I advised him that, in my professional opinion, he should have this gone through (rebuilt) and it would cost a fraction of that of a new one. He was hesitant, but agreed. When a rebuild is performed, I always like to use it, first to see what problems I can expect before the tear down. With that done, the piece torn down to the frame, painted. The electric motors are rebuilt. Tires and brushes are replaced. It is reassembled with new decals. It actually appeared to be new.

    This particular machine rebuild cost was about $2,600.00. I can honestly say that in that particular case, rebuilding was the best option. Every case and company needs are very different. The important thing I know, from experience, is what call to make.

    New, used or rebuilt? You make the call.

    Please do not hesitate to contact me at 1-800-346-2319 or e-mail me at mikec98423@yahoo.com.

                                            Michael R. Creamer