Used Packaging Equipment for Sale
Meadoworks sources used packaging equipment and machinery for end-of-line packaging operations — including stretch wrappers, case erectors, case sealers, case packers, palletizers, shrink wrappers, strapping machines, and complete used packaging lines. Whether you're a manufacturer setting up a new packaging cell, a co-packer expanding capacity, or a distribution operation upgrading from manual to semi-automatic packaging, our team can help you find the right second-hand packaging equipment from Lantech, Wulftec, 3M, Signode, Mosca, Wexxar, Shanklin, and other respected brands.
Key Takeaways
- 5 main packaging equipment categories: stretch wrappers, case erectors, case sealers, palletizers, shrink wrappers
- Stretch wrappers dominate end-of-line — turntable, rotary arm, and orbital wrapping machines
- Top brands: Lantech, Wulftec, 3M, Signode, Mosca, Wexxar, Arpac, Shanklin, Pearson
- Used packaging equipment pricing ranges from $3K simple stretch wrappers to $250K+ robotic palletizers
- Always inspect drive systems, sensors, control PLCs, and consumables interfaces before purchase
What Is Used Packaging Equipment?
Used packaging equipment refers to the machinery used at the end of a manufacturing or distribution line to prepare finished goods for shipment — from individual product wrapping through carton sealing to pallet load stabilization. Modern packaging operations typically combine multiple machines into an integrated end-of-line, with case erectors building cardboard boxes, case packers loading product into them, case sealers closing the boxes with tape or glue, palletizers stacking boxes onto pallets, and stretch wrappers stabilizing the pallet for shipment. Buying used packaging machinery is one of the highest-ROI categories of capital equipment because well-maintained machines often have 10-20+ years of remaining life.
The most-traded categories of used packaging equipment include stretch wrappers (turntable, rotary arm, and orbital), case sealers (top-and-bottom, random, and uniform), case erectors (Wexxar, 3M-Matic, Lantech), case packers (drop-pack, side-load, top-load, robotic), palletizers (conventional and robotic), and shrink wrappers / shrink tunnels for product bundling. Other common categories include strapping machines (Mosca, Signode), bag-in-box equipment, vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal (VFFS / HFFS) machines, labelers, ink-jet coders, and conveyor systems.
When buyers search for “used packaging equipment,” “packaging equipment for sale,” or “second hand packaging equipment,” they typically evaluate equipment age, brand, throughput rating (cases/hr or pallets/hr), control system vintage, and whether spare parts are still available from the OEM. Lantech (stretch wrappers), Wulftec (heavy-duty stretch wrap), 3M (case sealers and tape dispensers), Signode (strapping), Mosca (strapping), Wexxar (case erectors and packers), Arpac (shrink and stretch), Shanklin (shrink wrap), and Pearson (case erectors and packers) are among the most-traded brands in North America.
Types of Used Packaging Equipment
Stretch Wrappers
Turntable, rotary arm, and orbital wrappers that secure pallet loads with stretch film. Lantech, Wulftec, Highlight, and Cousins are the workhorses of end-of-line.
Case Erectors
Automatic carton-erection machines that form, fold, and bottom-seal corrugated cases at speeds up to 30+ cases/min. Wexxar, 3M-Matic, Pearson, and Lantech are common.
Case Sealers
Top-and-bottom case sealers (random or uniform) that fold flaps and apply tape. 3M-Matic, Wexxar, Lantech, and Loveshaw are dominant brands.
Palletizers
Conventional and robotic palletizers that stack cases or bags onto pallets in programmed patterns. ABB, FANUC, Columbia, Alvey, and Currie are common.
Shrink Wrappers & Tunnels
L-bar sealers, side-seal wrappers, and shrink tunnels for film bundling, product wrapping, and tray packs. Shanklin, Arpac, ARPAC, Texwrap.
Strapping Machines
Polypropylene and steel strapping machines for case, bundle, and pallet strapping. Mosca, Signode, Strapack, and Cyklop are the most-traded brands.
Top Used Packaging Equipment Brands
The packaging equipment market is segmented by category — the leading stretch wrap, case sealing, palletizing, and strapping brands are largely independent. Below are the most-traded brands in each segment.
Lantech
U.S. inventor of the stretch wrap machine — the industry standard for turntable and rotary arm pallet wrappers worldwide.
Browse LantechWulftec
Wulftec heavy-duty stretch wrappers, conveyor-fed wrappers, and orbital wrappers built for high-volume distribution centers.
Browse Wulftec3M-Matic
3M-Matic case sealers and tape dispensers — the most widely deployed case sealing machines in North America.
Browse 3M-MaticWexxar / Bel
Wexxar Bel case erectors and case sealers — trusted in food, beverage, and consumer goods packaging lines.
Browse Wexxar / BelMosca
German-engineered strapping machines for case, bundle, and pallet strapping — widely used by printers, paper, and consumer goods.
Browse MoscaShanklin
Shanklin (now ProMach) shrink wrap systems — L-bar sealers, side-seal wrappers, and shrink tunnels for product bundling.
Browse ShanklinLive Used Packaging Equipment Listings
Showing 1 live listing. Inventory rotates frequently — many machines sell before they hit our website.
What to Look For When Buying Used Packaging Equipment
Verify control system vintage
Modern packaging equipment runs PLC controls (Allen-Bradley, Siemens) with HMI screens. Very old machines with relay logic or obsolete controls are difficult to repair and may not be supported by OEM parts. Confirm controls are current and supported.
Check sensor and photoeye condition
Packaging machines depend on dozens of sensors for case detection, height detection, and safety interlocks. Verify all sensors function and replacement parts are still available. Sensor failures are the #1 cause of packaging line downtime.
Inspect pneumatic and electrical systems
Look for air leaks, worn cylinders, and frayed electrical wiring. Pneumatic rebuilds are inexpensive but time-consuming. Electrical issues can cascade and cause control board failures.
Test the machine with consumables
Stretch wrappers should be tested with film; case sealers with tape; palletizers with actual cases. Many machine quirks only appear under operating conditions. Always run a test cycle with real consumables before final purchase.
Confirm changeover ease
If your operation runs multiple case sizes or product configurations, verify the machine's changeover process. Modern machines have tool-less or auto-changeover; older machines may require 30-60+ minutes of manual adjustment per change.
Ask about spare parts and OEM support
Premium brands (Lantech, 3M-Matic, Wexxar, Mosca) maintain excellent parts support for decades-old machines. Off-brand or imported equipment may have limited parts availability. Confirm parts are still sourced from a reliable supplier.
Used Packaging Equipment Pricing Guide
Used packaging equipment prices vary widely by category, brand, age, and automation level. The ranges below are typical for inspected, operating machines from Meadoworks and the broader used market.
| Configuration | Typical Used Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-automatic stretch wrapper | $2,500 - $10,000 | Turntable, manual film attach |
| Automatic stretch wrapper | $8,000 - $40,000 | Turntable or rotary arm with auto film cut/clamp |
| Conveyor-fed stretch wrap line | $25,000 - $120,000 | Wulftec, Lantech high-throughput systems |
| Case sealer (uniform / random) | $3,000 - $30,000 | 3M-Matic, Wexxar, Loveshaw |
| Case erector | $5,000 - $40,000 | Wexxar, 3M-Matic, Lantech |
| Conventional palletizer | $25,000 - $150,000 | Columbia, Alvey, Currie style |
| Robotic palletizer | $40,000 - $250,000+ | ABB, FANUC, Yaskawa robot cells |
| Shrink wrapper / tunnel | $5,000 - $80,000 | Shanklin, Arpac, Texwrap L-bar / side-seal systems |
| Strapping machine | $3,000 - $25,000 | Mosca, Signode, Strapack |
Premium brand premiums (Lantech, Wulftec, 3M-Matic, Wexxar, Mosca) typically run 20-30% above generic equivalents. Late-model machines with current PLC controls hold value best. Call 800-323-0307 for current pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in used packaging equipment?
Used packaging equipment covers all the end-of-line machinery used to prepare goods for shipment: stretch wrappers, case erectors, case sealers, case packers, palletizers, shrink wrappers and tunnels, strapping machines, vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal (VFFS / HFFS) machines, labelers, conveyors, and complete integrated packaging lines.
How much does used packaging equipment cost?
Used packaging equipment prices vary widely by category. Semi-automatic stretch wrappers start at $2,500-$10,000; automatic stretch wrappers $8,000-$40,000. Case sealers run $3,000-$30,000; case erectors $5,000-$40,000. Conventional palletizers cost $25,000-$150,000; robotic palletizers $40,000-$250,000+. Shrink tunnels $5,000-$80,000. Strapping machines $3,000-$25,000.
Which packaging equipment brands does Meadoworks carry?
We regularly handle used packaging equipment from Lantech, Wulftec, 3M-Matic, Wexxar, Pearson, Mosca, Signode, Strapack, Shanklin, Arpac, Texwrap, ABB, FANUC, Columbia Machine, and other manufacturers. Inventory rotates frequently — many machines come from facility consolidations and never reach our public catalog.
Should I buy a used or new packaging machine?
Used packaging equipment typically saves 40-70% over new and is immediately available (versus 8-16 week lead times for new). Premium-brand machines from Lantech, Wulftec, 3M, and Wexxar are well-built for 15-20+ year service lives, so buying used is a strong value play. New makes more sense for cutting-edge automation, current OEM warranty coverage, or when no quality used machine matches the spec.
Can I see used packaging equipment before buying?
In most cases, yes. Many of our used packaging machines are still in place at the seller's facility and can be inspected and operated before sale. Trial runs with your specific products and packaging materials are often possible. Contact us to arrange an inspection.
Do you ship packaging equipment internationally?
Yes. Meadoworks ships used packaging equipment worldwide. We coordinate with experienced rigging and freight forwarding partners to handle disassembly, ocean freight, and customs documentation for both individual machines and complete packaging lines.
What spare parts should I keep on hand?
For each machine, stock at minimum: critical sensors and photoeyes, drive belts, common pneumatic cylinders and solenoids, and the most-used consumable parts (e.g., film cut-and-clamp parts for stretch wrappers; tape heads for case sealers). Premium-brand machines have well-stocked aftermarket parts networks — consult your OEM-recommended spares list.
Need help building a used packaging line?
Tell us your throughput target, case size, and packaging requirements. Many of the packaging machines we handle never make our public catalog — they sell from facility closures and capacity adjustments before listing.
Buying Guides & Resources
Used Stretch Wrapper Buying Guide
How to evaluate and buy a used stretch wrapper for your operation.
Read guideUsed Plastics Equipment Guide
Complete guide to buying used plastics processing and packaging equipment.
Read guideHow Industrial Auctions Work
Buying packaging equipment at industrial auctions and plant closing sales.
Read guideRelated Equipment Categories
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About Meadoworks
Meadoworks has been the premier advisor to the global plastics and metals industries for over 50 years. As licensed auctioneers, licensed business brokers, and AMEA-certified appraisers, we offer equipment sales, auctions, appraisals, business brokerage, and financing. Browse the full used equipment catalog or call 800-323-0307.
