Used Crushing and Screening Equipment: The Complete Buyer’s Guide
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Whether you’re processing aggregates, recycling construction and demolition waste, screening topsoil or grading compost and wood chip, the right crushing and screening equipment can transform what your site produces and what it earns.
Good used machinery gives you that capability for a fraction of the price of new, and often available straight away. At Machines On The Market we have one of the UK’s widest selections of used crushing and screening equipment for sale. That includes screeners, trommels, star screens, crushers, scalpers, stackers and full plants, from brands including Powerscreen, Spitfire, BlueMac, Lubo, Parker and ViPower.
This guide explains the main types of crushing and screening equipment, which jobs each one suits, and what to check before you buy.
Why buy used crushing and screening equipment?
- Big savings on new: a well-maintained used screener or crusher costs far less than new, so it pays for itself quicker.
- Available now: no waiting months for a factory build slot. Many of our machines are ready to work.
- Proven designs: the established brands are known quantities, with parts and service support widely available.
- Better resale value: the steepest depreciation has already happened, so a used machine holds its value better when you come to sell or upgrade.
Types of crushing and screening equipment
Screeners
Screeners are the backbone of most aggregate and recycling operations, and they make up the biggest part of our stock. Browse our used screeners.
- Mobile screeners: tracked machines that move around the site and between jobs. Ideal for contractors, quarries and recycling yards. The Powerscreen Warrior and Chieftain ranges are among the best known.
- 2-way and 3-way split screeners: produce two or three graded products in one pass, such as oversize, mid-size and fines.
- Screen decks and finger screens: handle sticky or difficult material, or fit into an existing line.
Trommels
A trommel uses a rotating drum with screen panels to separate material by size. Trommels are excellent for topsoil, compost, wood chip, green waste and mixed waste, where a flat screen can blind or clog. See our trommels for sale.
- Mobile trommels: tracked or wheeled units, such as the Spitfire Raptor range, that can be moved between jobs.
- Static trommels: fixed, often electric machines built into a processing line. They’re usually cheaper to run per tonne.
Star screens
Star screens use rows of rotating star-shaped discs to separate material. They’re very effective on wet, sticky and organic material such as compost, biomass and wood waste, where other screens can struggle. View star screens.
Scalping screens
Scalpers are heavy-duty screens built to remove large oversize material and fines before further processing, or to handle tough material straight from the face or the demolition site. See scalping screens.
Crushers
Crushers reduce rock, concrete, brick and demolition waste into usable aggregate. Browse used crushers.
- Jaw crushers: primary crushers that squeeze material between a fixed and a moving jaw. They’re ideal for hard rock, concrete and C&D waste. See jaw crushers.
- Impact crushers: break material by impact, producing a well-shaped product. They’re popular for recycling concrete and asphalt.
- Cone crushers: secondary and tertiary crushers for producing finer, consistent aggregate from hard rock.
Stackers, conveyors and feeders
- Stackers and stockpilers: build high, tidy stockpiles and keep your screener or crusher running without a loader feeding the pile. See stackers.
- Conveyors: link machines together into a working line. See conveyors.
- Shaker feeds: give a steady, controlled feed into screens and crushers. See shaker feeds.
Separators, washers and full plants
For recycling and aggregate washing, we also list:
A full used plant can save a huge amount on design, purchase and installation compared with building a line from new.
Which machine do I need?
Your jobMachine to look atGrading aggregates, sand and gravelMobile screener (2 or 3-way split)Topsoil, compost, green waste, wood chipTrommel or star screenWet, sticky or organic materialStar screen or trommelRemoving oversize from demolition wasteScalping screenTurning concrete and rubble into aggregateJaw crusher or impact crusherMaking fine graded stoneCone crusher with a screenerBuilding stockpiles and linking machinesStackers and conveyors
What to check before you buy used crushing and screening equipment
- Hours and service history: ask for the hour reading and maintenance records.
- Screen media and drums: check the condition of meshes, panels, fingers or trommel drum screens. Replacement media adds to the cost.
- Crusher wear parts: check jaw plates, blow bars, cone liners and the crushing chamber for wear.
- Tracks and undercarriage: on mobile machines, check the tracks, rollers, sprockets and idlers.
- Engine and hydraulics: look for leaks, smoke and hydraulic pump and motor condition, and check recent servicing.
- Belts, bearings and conveyors: check belts for damage and listen for noisy bearings and rollers.
- Chassis and structure: look for cracks, repairs and corrosion, especially on hoppers and screen boxes.
- See it working: wherever possible, see the machine running, ideally on material like yours.
- Transport and setup: check the transport dimensions and weight, and how the machine will be loaded and delivered.
We’re always happy to talk through any machine on our books and help you work out whether it suits your job.
Selling your crushing or screening equipment?
If you’re upgrading or have a machine standing idle, we can help you reach buyers in the UK and abroad. Contact us with the details and photos.
Also from Machines On The Market
- Used waste and recycling machinery: shredders, balers, separators and full recycling plants
- Panizzolo hammer mills and shredders for metal recycling
- Construction and material handling
- Forestry and arb
- Auxiliary equipment, parts and attachments
Crushing and screening FAQs
What’s the difference between a screener and a trommel?
A screener uses flat vibrating decks to separate material by size, while a trommel uses a rotating drum. Screeners are usually the choice for aggregates and sand and gravel. Trommels are often better for topsoil, compost, wood chip and mixed waste, where flat decks can blind.
What’s a scalper used for?
A scalping screen removes oversize material and fines before further processing. It’s built to handle heavy, rough material such as demolition waste and quarry shot rock.
Do I need a crusher and a screener?
If you’re producing graded aggregate from rock or demolition waste, usually yes. The crusher reduces the material and the screener grades it into saleable products. Many sites start with one and add the other as the operation grows.
Is used Powerscreen equipment worth buying?
Yes, Powerscreen machines are among the most widely used in the industry, and parts and service support are easy to find. As with any used machine, check the hours, service history, screen media and running condition.
Do you sell crushing and screening equipment for export?
We work with buyers in the UK and internationally. Get in touch about any machine you’re interested in.