Used, refurbished or reconditioned: what do the words mean?
These words are used loosely in the Indian market, often for the same machine. Before comparing prices, ask each seller what they actually mean by them. We use them like this.
| Term | What it should mean | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Used, as-is | Sold in its current condition after basic checks. No major work done. | Hours basis, history, a loaded test, a clear “as-is” statement. |
| Refurbished | Serviced, worn consumables and some components replaced, cosmetic preparation. | A list of what was replaced and what was left as found. |
| Reconditioned | Major assemblies inspected and restored: airend, engine, coolers, valves and controls, as needed. | A work record by assembly, measurements where taken, test results at load. |
The difference between the three is the scope of work, not the price tag. If a seller cannot tell you which assemblies were opened, assume they were not.
Is a used borewell compressor right for your work?
A used machine suits a contractor with steady drilling work and a firm budget, who has the mechanical support to maintain it. It is less suitable if you need the very latest engine emissions standard, if your work is highly seasonal (hire may be cheaper), or if you cannot afford downtime while parts are found for an older model.
Start from the duty, not the machine on offer. A well-presented 900 cfm, 250 psig unit is still the wrong buy if your next contract needs deep wet holes at 350 psig. Borewell and DTH work in our experience falls mostly between 600 and 1,500 cfm at 200 to 400 psig (about 14 to 28 bar), with high-pressure units up to 35 bar (507.6 psig) for deep jobs. Match the offered machine to your hammer chart and depth using drilling depth and compressor selection.
How to inspect a used borewell compressor before you buy
Photographs and a video are useful for a first look, but they do not show internal wear. A proper inspection follows a fixed order so nothing is skipped.
- Identity. Check the compressor and engine nameplates, serial numbers and model against the documents. Note any replaced airend or engine, because the nameplate may no longer describe what is fitted.
- Hours and history. Ask how the hours were recorded. A replaced hour meter or a dead controller resets the story. Ask for service records, oil change history and any known repairs.
- Cold walk-round. Look for oil leaks at the airend shaft seal, separator tank and hoses; mud and dust packed into coolers; cracked chassis welds; tyre and axle condition; corroded or patched pressure vessels.
- Cold start. Watch for hard starting, blue or black smoke, knocking or unusual engine noise. Check that the charging system works.
- Loaded test. Run the machine at its rated pressure with the discharge valve open against a suitable restriction or test nozzle, long enough to stabilise. Record discharge pressure, engine speed, discharge temperature and coolant temperature.
- Temperature behaviour. On an oil-injected screw, discharge temperature is normally about 75–95 °C at load. A machine that climbs steadily towards its trip point has cooling, oil or airend problems.
- Oil carry-over and separator. Look for oil mist at the discharge, which points to a separator or scavenge problem.
- Shutdowns. Confirm the safety shutdowns work: high discharge temperature, low engine oil pressure and high coolant temperature. Check the safety valve is the correct rating and not gagged.
- Oil sample (optional). An oil analysis can reveal bearing wear metals, coolant contamination or fuel dilution before you commit.
An idle run of a few minutes is not a test. Your hammer will load the machine to full flow at full pressure for hours at a time, so that is how the machine should be tested before purchase. For a full due-diligence method, see used compressor technical due diligence.
What we recondition on a borewell compressor
When we recondition a machine, the scope is decided after inspection and written down assembly by assembly. Depending on condition, the work can include:
- Airend: inspection for rotor wear, bearing condition and end clearances; bearing and seal replacement or a full airend overhaul where measurements justify it.
- Engine: service, injector and fuel system checks, cooling system overhaul, and top or major overhaul where compression or oil consumption calls for it.
- Coolers and radiator: cleaning or replacement of cores blocked by drilling dust and mud.
- Separator system: separator element, minimum pressure valve, scavenge line and oil stop valve.
- Intake and regulation: unloader or inlet valve, pressure regulator, air filter housing and elements.
- Controls and safety: gauges, sensors, shutdown switches, safety valve and wiring.
- Hoses, chassis and running gear: high-pressure hoses, mounting, axle, tyres and lights.
- Final loaded test at the machine’s rated pressure, with readings recorded.
The record states which assemblies were replaced and which were inspected and retained. That record is what you are paying for. Read more about our approach on compressor overhauling and refurbishment.
Risks of buying a used borewell compressor
Buying used carries risks that a new machine does not. Most of them can be managed if you know where to look.
| Risk | Warning sign | How to manage it |
|---|---|---|
| Worn airend | Low pressure or flow at load, high discharge temperature, noise | Loaded test; airend inspection or overhaul in the price |
| Tired engine | Smoke, hard starting, oil consumption, low power at rated speed | Cold start, load test, compression check |
| Unknown history | No records, replaced hour meter | Price as unknown; budget for a full service and inspection |
| Parts availability | Old or discontinued model | Confirm parts routes before buying |
| Wrong duty | Machine rated below your required pressure | Size against your hammer and depth first |
| Pressure vessel condition | Corrosion, patch welds, missing safety valve rating | Inspect the receiver and separator tank carefully |
For older machines, our page on legacy and discontinued compressor support explains how we find parts when the original maker no longer supports a model.
Warranty and written terms
Every used, refurbished and reconditioned borewell compressor we sell carries a six-month warranty from the delivery or invoice date, covering the whole compressor and excluding consumables, misuse or wrong oil, service by others, and accident or site damage. The terms are stated in writing in the offer and on the invoice, together with the test readings at your drilling pressure.
When comparing sellers, read the written terms, not the advertisement. A cheaper offer may carry a narrower inspection, no load test, or no assurance at all. A “reconditioned” label on its own does not mean new-machine performance, a guaranteed remaining life or a comprehensive warranty. Ask each seller the same questions and put the answers side by side.
Used or overhaul your own machine?
If you already own a tired borewell compressor, overhauling it can sometimes be a better option than buying another used one. You know its history, and the work is done to a scope you agree. Our overhaul versus replacement decision tool helps you compare the two on cost and downtime. For a short-term gap while you decide, see borewell compressor rentals and hire.
How Reddy Compressors helps
For borewell rig owners we supply all types, all brands and all models of borewell compressors: new sales, used and refurbished machines, rentals, service and spare parts.
We have worked with compressed air since 2002. We sell, rent and service ELGi, Atlas Copco, Ingersoll Rand, KAESER, Chicago Pneumatic and other makes as an independent multi-brand specialist, so we can assess a used machine without favouring any one brand.
We can help in three ways: inspect a machine you have been offered elsewhere, offer used or reconditioned units when we have a suitable one available, and recondition your own machine to an agreed scope. Our team of more than 20 service engineers and technicians covers all of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and we supply equipment and spares across India. Spare parts are identified from the machine’s make, model, serial number and nameplate, and fit is confirmed before quoting. Our office is at Srinilayam, 12-13-200, First Floor, Street No. 1, Tarnaka, Secunderabad 500017. Call +91 99590 60718 or +91 92468 88812, WhatsApp +91 99590 60718, or email reddycompressors@gmail.com.
What to send us
- Your rig, hammer size and the depths and pressures you drill to.
- Make, model and serial number of the machine you are considering, with nameplate photos.
- Stated hours and any service records the seller has provided.
- Photos or a short video of the machine running, if available.
- Your budget range and whether you want inspection only, a reconditioned unit or reconditioning of your own machine.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth buying a second-hand borewell compressor?
It can be, if the machine suits your duty and has been tested at load. A used compressor saves capital, but you take on the risk of its condition. Size it against your hammer and depth first, test it at full pressure, and get the condition and any warranty in writing. If records are missing, budget for a full inspection and service.
How do I check a used DTH compressor before buying?
Check the nameplates and serial numbers, ask how the hours were recorded, and look for leaks, packed coolers and chassis damage. Then do a cold start and a loaded test at rated pressure, recording pressure, engine speed and discharge temperature. Confirm the safety shutdowns work. An oil analysis can reveal hidden bearing or engine wear.
What is the difference between refurbished and reconditioned compressors?
Refurbished usually means serviced, worn consumables replaced and the machine cleaned and painted. Reconditioned should mean major assemblies such as the airend, engine, coolers and controls were inspected and restored where needed. Sellers use the words loosely, so always ask for a written list of what was opened, replaced or retained on that particular machine.
Does a reconditioned borewell compressor come with a warranty?
Ours do. Every used and reconditioned borewell compressor we sell carries a six-month warranty from the delivery or invoice date, covering the whole compressor and excluding consumables, misuse or wrong oil, service by others, and accident or site damage. When comparing other sellers, compare their written terms rather than relying on the word reconditioned.
What are the signs of a worn airend on a used compressor?
Typical signs are pressure or flow falling short at full load, discharge temperature running higher than the normal 75–95 °C, unusual noise or vibration, and oil leaks at the shaft seal. Worn bearings may show up as metal particles in an oil analysis. A loaded test is the only reliable way to see these signs.
Can you inspect a used compressor I am buying from someone else?
Yes. We can inspect a machine you have been offered by another seller, run a loaded test where the site allows, and give you a written note of what we found. This helps you negotiate on facts or walk away from a poor machine. Send us the make, model, location and the seller’s details of the machine.
Related pages
Technical content reviewed by D. Srinivas Reddy, Managing Partner and service engineer, Reddy Compressors. Last updated 7 November 2026. How our engineering content is reviewed.