An electric motor is a steel body with copper inside it. That copper is most of what you are paid for, which is why motors are priced on their own and not thrown in with light iron.
How motors are priced
Two ways, and we will tell you which one suits your load.
Per piece, as they are. Nothing is stripped, nothing is cut. This suits garages, maintenance companies and anyone who does not want to spend labour on it.
By the kilo after stripping. If you have the time and the tools, the copper comes out and is sold as copper, and the steel body goes as iron. It pays more, and it also takes longer than most people expect.
For a small number of motors, selling them whole is usually the sensible choice. For a pallet of them, it is worth asking.
What changes the number
- Size. A large motor has proportionally more copper than a small one.
- Aluminium windings instead of copper, which are worth noticeably less.
- Water damage and heavy rust on the body.
- Attached gearboxes, pumps and bases that are steel weight only.
Pumps and compressors
Same logic. A pump is a motor with a housing, and an air compressor is a motor with a tank. Both are bought whole. If the tank is sealed, it needs to be open and empty before it travels, and that is a safety rule rather than a pricing one.
Bringing them in
Motors up to a size you can lift come to the yard. For anything on a base, bolted to a floor, or too heavy for two people, send a photo on WhatsApp and we will arrange it.
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 727 0105.
Common questions
Should I strip the copper out of motors before selling them?
For a few motors, usually not. Selling them whole saves the labour. For a pallet or more, stripping can pay more, so ask before you start.
Are motors with aluminium windings worth less?
Yes, noticeably less than a copper wound motor of the same size, because the copper is most of what a motor is worth.
