The Bradbury Group — Inspection Checklist for Used Equipment

Purchasing a used Bradbury roll forming or coil processing system can be a strong investment — but only if the machine is thoroughly inspected.

Heavy industrial equipment may appear solid externally while hiding:

Shaft misalignment
Frame twist
Electrical obsolescence
Hydraulic instability
Worn tooling
Safety compliance gaps

This page provides a structured inspection checklist designed specifically for used Bradbury systems, helping buyers reduce risk before committing to purchase.

Structural & Frame Inspection

What to Check:

☑ Frame straightness (visual & measured)
☑ Base plate cracks or weld fatigue
☑ Corrosion or rust (especially underneath)
☑ Anchor bolt damage
☑ Machine leveling condition
☑ Signs of stress deformation

Red Flags:

Visible frame twist
Weld repairs without documentation
Uneven stand alignment
Excessive vibration marks

Frame integrity is critical — structural defects are expensive to correct.

Roll Stands & Shafts

Inspect:

☑ Shaft straightness (run-out test if possible)
☑ Bearing play
☑ Roll stand mounting tightness
☑ Keyway wear
☑ Shaft scoring
☑ Endplay movement

Red Flags:

Shaft wobble during rotation
Excessive bearing noise
Uneven roll spacing
Bent shafts

Shaft replacement can be costly in heavy gauge systems.

Tooling Condition

Evaluate:

☑ Roll surface finish
☑ Pitting or corrosion
☑ Edge wear
☑ Profile calibration accuracy
☑ Coating damage
☑ Alignment marks

Red Flags:

Deep scoring
Uneven roll wear
Flange deformation
Missing tooling components

Tooling replacement may cost tens of thousands depending on complexity.

Electrical System & PLC

Verify:

☑ PLC model and age
☑ HMI functionality
☑ Spare PLC module availability
☑ Wiring organization
☑ Panel cleanliness
☑ Electrical labeling
☑ Alarm history

Red Flags:

Obsolete PLC platform
Exposed wiring
Burn marks
Frequent unexplained alarms

Older PLCs may require full retrofit.

Drive System & Motor

Test:

☑ Motor smooth startup
☑ VFD response
☑ Gearbox noise
☑ Coupling wear
☑ Chain condition
☑ Current draw under load

Red Flags:

Grinding noise
Chain slack
Overheating motors
Vibration at speed

Drive system failures create costly downtime.

Hydraulic System (If Applicable)

Inspect:

☑ Oil level & cleanliness
☑ Pump pressure stability
☑ Hose condition
☑ Cylinder leakage
☑ Valve response
☑ Oil temperature

Red Flags:

Pressure drop during punch
Oil contamination
Slow cylinder return
Pump cavitation noise

Hydraulic rebuilds can be expensive.

Punch & Shear Systems

Check:

☑ Punch timing accuracy
☑ Blade sharpness
☑ Cut length consistency
☑ Punch alignment
☑ Shear burr levels
☑ Encoder feedback accuracy

Red Flags:

Hole misalignment
Excessive burr
Blade chatter
Punch delay

Punch timing errors often signal control or encoder problems.

Safety Systems & Compliance

Confirm:

☑ Emergency stops function
☑ Guarding intact
☑ Interlocks operational
☑ Safety PLC present (if applicable)
☑ Labeling clear
☑ Risk assessment documentation

Red Flags:

Missing guards
Bypassed safety circuits
Faulty interlocks

Safety upgrades may be required to meet modern standards.

Automation & Synchronization

Observe:

☑ Speed stability
☑ Punch-feed synchronization
☑ Encoder tracking
☑ Recipe functionality
☑ Emergency stop recovery

Red Flags:

Inconsistent length
Automation lag
Control drift
Random stop events

Automation instability is often hidden until production testing.

Performance Testing (If Possible)

Always attempt to:

✔ Run actual material
✔ Test at multiple speeds
✔ Measure dimensional accuracy
✔ Check repeatability
✔ Verify hole alignment
✔ Confirm scrap rate

Static inspection alone is insufficient.

Documentation Checklist

Request:

☑ Original manuals
☑ Electrical schematics
☑ Maintenance logs
☑ Spare parts history
☑ Tooling drawings
☑ PLC program backup
☑ Service records

Missing documentation lowers value and increases risk.

Spare Parts & Obsolescence Review

Before purchase:

☑ Confirm PLC part availability
☑ Check motor model support
☑ Review hydraulic component sourcing
☑ Verify tooling replacement feasibility

Obsolete parts can make cheap machines expensive.

Estimate Hidden Cost Before Buying

After inspection, calculate:

Tooling refurbishment cost
PLC upgrade cost
Safety compliance upgrade cost
Hydraulic rebuild cost
Drive system repair cost
Installation & freight cost

A low purchase price can double once repairs are factored in.

How Machine Matcher Supports Used Machine Inspections

Machine Matcher provides:

✔ Independent inspection checklists
✔ On-site inspection representation
✔ Remote video inspection support
✔ Technical condition reports
✔ Repair cost estimation
✔ Retrofit feasibility analysis
✔ Negotiation advisory
✔ Risk scoring report

Independent inspection significantly reduces purchase risk.

Quick Pre-Purchase Risk Scoring

Rate each category 1–5:

Category	Score
Frame & Structure
Shafts & Bearings
Tooling
Electrical & PLC
Drives & Motors
Hydraulics
Safety Systems
Documentation

Low combined score = high risk.

Conclusion

A used Bradbury roll forming system can offer significant value — but only after a structured, technical inspection. Mechanical wear, electrical obsolescence, tooling damage, and safety gaps can dramatically change the true cost of ownership.

Machine Matcher provides independent inspection and advisory services to ensure buyers understand the full condition, risks, and upgrade potential before committing to a used purchase.