Buying a Used Crane in UAE? 6 Mistakes You Must Avoid
Rashid
Er. Rashid is a seasoned Equipment Operations Manager with over 12 years of experience in heavy machinery logistics, resale, and fleet optimization across the Middle East and Africa. Having worked with leading construction and rental firms, he specializes in evaluating equipment value, procurement strategy, and resale planning. At Mikas, he shares industry insights to help contractors and asset owners make smarter machinery decisions.
Table of Contents
Quick Glance at Mistakes Buyers Make
| Mistake | Risk for Buyer | Mikas Expert Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Skipping Inspection | Hidden structural or hydraulic faults | Always demand inspection reports + demo |
| Ignoring Usage Hours | Overpaying for overused units | Compare year vs. hours, not just model |
| No Service History | Frequent breakdowns | Only buy with verified maintenance logs |
| Overlooking Brand/Parts | Long downtime for spares | Choose brands with strong UAE/KSA support |
| Falling for Broker Deals | Hidden fees, poor machines | Buy direct from verified suppliers |
| Not Planning Resale Value | Lower ROI on projects | Pick models with global resale demand |
In my 12+ years of managing heavy equipment fleets across the Middle East, I’ve seen contractors save millions with smart crane purchases — and I’ve seen others lose projects because of rushed decisions.
Buying a used crane in the UAE can be a golden opportunity: lower upfront cost, faster delivery, and immediate deployment. But it’s also full of pitfalls.
Here are the six biggest mistakes buyers make when purchasing a used crane — and how you can avoid them with the right approach.
1) Skipping Detailed Inspections
One of the most common shortcuts I’ve witnessed is buyers rushing to close deals without a thorough machine inspection.
Why it’s risky:
- Cracks in the boom section can compromise lifting capacity.
- Worn hydraulic seals can lead to oil leaks and sudden downtime.
- Poor welding repairs (done in the past) may not meet OEM safety standards.
Rashid’s Note: At Mikas, we never release a crane without a field-tested inspection report. If a seller refuses to provide one, it’s your first red flag.
2. Ignoring Usage Hours vs. Year of Manufacture
A 2015 Tadano crane with only 4,000 hours may be in better condition than a 2019 model with 20,000+ hours.
The mistake buyers make: Judging value only by the year of manufacture.
What you should do instead:
- Balance model year with working hours.
- Inspect key wear parts like winches, slew bearings, and outriggers.
Rashid’s Example: I once consulted for a client in Oman who bought a “younger” crane that had done harsh duty cycles in ports. Within months, it demanded expensive repairs that erased all the “savings.”
3. Buying Without Service History
Would you buy a luxury car without checking its service log? The same principle applies to cranes.
Risks:
- No record = higher chance of neglected maintenance.
- You may inherit recurring faults that previous owners ignored.
Pro Tip: Always request maintenance logs, oil change intervals, and inspection certificates. If they’re not available, reconsider.
At Mikas, every imported crane comes with verified service documents — or we simply don’t list it.
4. Overlooking Brand & Spare Parts Availability
The Middle East market favors certain crane brands because of local dealer presence and parts availability.
Mistake buyers make: Falling for a “cheap” crane brand that has no service ecosystem in UAE or KSA.
Impact:
- Weeks of downtime waiting for parts.
- High cost of importing every minor spare.
Smart approach: Stick to globally trusted brands with local support networks (Link-Belt, Tadano, Liebherr, Grove).
5. Falling for Broker-Driven Deals
This is the most painful one. Many “deals” are handled by middlemen who don’t own the equipment.
Hidden dangers:
- Machines often flipped between multiple brokers before reaching you.
- Extra markups, hidden charges, and zero accountability.
Mikas’ Standpoint: We operate with a no-broker, no-hidden-fee model. Buyers deal directly with us, ensuring transparency on price, inspection, and delivery.
Rashid’s Story: I’ve seen clients pay 15% more than the actual market rate — just because they unknowingly dealt with three layers of brokers.
6. Not Considering Resale Value
A crane isn’t just a piece of equipment — it’s an asset.
Mistake buyers make: Only thinking about short-term project needs.
Why resale matters:
- Global demand determines how easily you can resell after project completion.
- Certain models (e.g., Tadano rough terrain cranes) have stronger resale markets across Africa and Asia.
Tip: Before purchase, check export demand in regions like Africa, where used cranes are often resold.
Final Thought from Rashid
I’ve sat across boardrooms where crane purchases made or broke entire projects. A smart buyer always inspects deeper than the surface, questions brokers, and plans long-term. At Mikas, our role isn’t just selling cranes — it’s ensuring our clients win contracts with reliable machines.
Conclusion
Buying a used crane in UAE is not about finding the cheapest deal — it’s about finding the right crane that aligns with your project, safety standards, and financial goals.
Avoid these six mistakes, and you’ll save yourself time, money, and countless headaches.
At Mikas AE, we specialize in sourcing, inspecting, and delivering field-tested, broker-free cranes across UAE, KSA, and Africa.