The short answer: search for a car crusher for sale and you will find flatteners, loggers and balers, new and second-hand, offered by manufacturers, dealers and marketplaces alike. A used machine can look cheaper on paper, but its real cost includes wear, missing documentation, parts and support. A new, CE-certified car baler, delivered with installation, training and spare parts from the maker, gives you a known specification and a known cost.
This guide helps you read the listings with an engineer’s eye, inspect a machine properly and choose the right supplier. If you would like an overview of the machine types first, start with our car crusher page.
What “car crusher for sale” really covers
The phrase is broad. A listing under this name can describe three quite different machines, and you will compare them far more accurately once you know which is which.
Flattener, logger, baler
| Machine | What it does | Typical reason to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Flattener | Presses the car flat from above | Low volume, simple operation |
| Logger | Compresses the car into a log-shaped block | Better density than flattening |
| Baler | Compresses the vehicle on several sides in a closed box | Dense, regular bales, best for freight and buyer acceptance |
If you are looking for a car baler, you are looking at the third category. Searches for “car baler for sale” and “car crusher for sale” often lead to the same listings, so check the machine type in each one before you compare prices.
New versus used: the real trade-offs
Used machinery can make sense in some situations. The key is to compare the total cost across the years you plan to run the machine, not simply the asking price.
Hours, wear and hydraulics
A used press carries a history you may not be able to see. The box liner, cylinders, pump and hoses all wear with every cycle. Reconditioning a worn box or replacing cylinders can cost a significant share of the machine’s price. Ask for the operating hours and, wherever possible, have an independent technician examine the machine.
CE documentation and safety
In the EU, machinery placed on the market needs the right conformity documentation. A new Roter machine is CE certified and comes with CE documentation. For a used machine, ask what documentation exists and whether the machine and its safety systems meet the current requirements in your country. If you are unsure, ask your local authority or safety consultant.
Parts and support
Check who will supply spare parts and how long they will take to arrive. For older or unusual machines, parts can be hard to source. When parts come from the manufacturer, you always know where to call. Roter supplies spare parts from Ferrara; see baler spare parts and service for details.
Our article on after-sales support describes what good support looks like in practice.
Inspection checklist before you buy
Use this checklist for any machine you consider, new or used. For a new machine, ask the supplier to show you each item on the specification sheet.
Box and wear
- Condition of the box walls and floor (look for deep wear, cracks, repairs)
- Liner material and thickness (Roter uses Hardox 400/450 for the box)
- Lid fit and alignment
- Evidence of previous weld repairs
Cylinders and pump
- Cylinder rods free of scoring and leaks
- Number and size of cylinders (the RR5/RR6 has three cylinders per lid, lid force 200 t, main cylinder 155 t)
- Pump make and condition (the RR5/RR6 uses a Parker PV Plus main pump)
- Oil condition and filtration, hoses and fittings
- Working pressure matches the stated specification (280 bar on the RR5/RR6)
Controls and remote
- Control system works as described, with no fault codes
- Remote control range and function
- Safety signals and emergency stops tested
Service history
- Written maintenance records
- List of parts replaced
- Previous owner and reason for sale
- Manual and electrical diagrams available
A machine that passes every item still needs a test run. Press a real load, watch the full cycle and listen for anything unusual.
Questions to ask any supplier
Whether you buy new or used, a credible supplier should be able to answer the following in writing.
| Topic | Question |
|---|---|
| Installation | Is on-site installation included, and by whom? |
| Training | Is operator training included? |
| Spare parts | Where do parts come from, and how fast can they reach me? |
| Diagnostics | Is remote diagnostics available? |
| Documentation | What CE and technical documentation do I receive? |
| Foundation | Does the machine need a foundation or civil works? |
| Delivery | Is the price ex-works or delivered? |
| Performance | How is the stated specification confirmed before and after delivery? |
On that last point, you may also want to read why Roter does not offer a free baler trial.
What a new Roter RR5/RR6 gives you
Roter designs and builds its balers in Ferrara, Italy, on more than three decades of heavy-engineering heritage. The RR5 and RR6 were conceived for one environment above all: the working scrapyard and ELV dismantling site, where a machine must perform shift after shift.
- No foundation. Roter states that the RR5 and RR6 need no foundation in any configuration.
- Four configurations. Fixed, semi-mobile, roll-on/roll-off or three-axle trailer.
- 15-20 t/h on vehicles. The capacity for general scrap metal is 8-14 t/h. Actual output is confirmed against your material.
- Dense bales. Bale size 880 x 650 mm, with Dense Bale and Bale for Mills programmes.
- Robust build. Hardox 400/450 box, three cylinders per lid, 200 t lid force, 155 t main cylinder, 280 bar working pressure.
- Power options. 55 or 75 kW Perkins or CAT diesel, or a 75 kW electric motor (90 kW electric option).
- Easy control. Radio control included, 7″ or 10″ touch screen, light and sound signals.
- Support included. On-site installation, operator training, remote diagnostics and CE documentation.
The RR5 has a 5,000 mm box and weighs 21 t. The RR6 has a 6,000 mm box and weighs 22 t. For the full technical sheet, see the RR5/RR6 baler page.
If you may need to move the machine between sites, the same RR5/RR6 platform is available as a mobile car baler in roll-on/roll-off or trailer form.
For a broader view of the market, see our comparison of scrap baler manufacturers.
How to request a quote
A well-prepared request makes the answer faster and more accurate. Send us:
- The type of material (end-of-life vehicles, general scrap, or both)
- Your expected tonnes per day or month
- Whether you need a fixed or movable machine
- The power supply at your site
- Your location and delivery access
- Any options you want
Our engineers will respond with a configuration and a quote. Anything we cannot state in advance, such as delivery time, is confirmed in your quote.
Request a quote for a new Roter car baler, or read more on the car crusher page.
FAQ
What is the difference between a car crusher and a car baler?
A car crusher or flattener presses a vehicle from above and leaves air between the layers. A car baler compresses it on several sides inside a closed box, producing a dense, regular bale. Balers usually load more efficiently for transport and are easier for scrap buyers to handle.
Should I buy a new or used car baler?
It depends on your budget and risk tolerance. A used machine may cost less up front, but wear, missing documentation and parts availability can raise the total cost. A new machine comes with a known specification, CE documentation, installation, training and support from the maker.
What should I inspect on a used car baler?
Check the box and liner for wear and repairs, the cylinders and pump for leaks and scoring, the controls and remote for faults, and the service history. Ask for operating hours and documentation, and always request a test run under load before you commit.
What support should I expect after buying?
At minimum, expect installation, operator training, access to spare parts and technical help. With Roter, on-site installation and operator training are included, remote diagnostics are available, and spare parts are supplied from Ferrara. Always get the support scope in writing.
Can a car baler be moved between yards?
Yes, if it is built for it. The Roter RR5/RR6 is available as semi-mobile, roll-on/roll-off or three-axle trailer, and needs no foundation in any configuration. Fixed versions are intended for one position. Your preferred configuration is confirmed in your quote.
Last updated: 20 October 2026
Related reading: car crusher | car baler | mobile car baler | baler spare parts and service | Request a quote