What’s It Worth-Rotary Retort Furnace

On a regular basis “The Monty Heat Treat News” plays the “What’s It Worth” game in which we are happy to share with our readers what various surplus heat treat furnaces are worth on the used market.

Today we look at a rather unusual item, a surplus rotary retort furnace in mint condition. We say unusual because while this style of furnace at one time was reasonably popular it has very much fallen out of fashion in the past 20 years and is now only seen in a few captive heat treats processing automotive timing chain, chain for chain saws and some small bearing components.

This particular furnace was built by a very reputable builder “SECO/WARWICK” and is capable of processing 1500 pounds/hour, is gas fired and has an operating temperature of 1600F. It features a nitrogen & hydrogen atmosphere and incorporates a water quench system. To reiterate the system is in excellent condition.

So what is it worth? For 99.9% of heat treaters, it has absolutely no value except as scrap-mind you the scrap value of the retort alone will be considerable.

For the .1% of heat treaters who are looking for a retort style furnace it has considerable value. With an estimated new price of almost $2 million USD we would suggest that after taking into account removal, shipping and install a serious buyer would be willing to pay $500,000 USD for this system. Again, the issue is finding a buyer who needs such a system.

Have a question about the value of your equipment? We would be happy to provide a free, confidential evaluation [email protected]

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