Hey there, if you’re in the market for used packaging machinery, you’ve probably asked yourself one big question before you even click "inquire" or schedule a walkaround: how loud is this stuff? Let’s be real—loud machinery doesn’t just make for a bad workday. It’s a workplace safety risk, it can drive away employees who hate constant ringing in their ears, and if your facility is in a commercial area, you might even run into noise complaints from neighbors. As a used packaging machinery supplier, I deal with this question every single day, and I’m here to break it down like we’re chatting over a coffee (no stuffy jargon, promise). Used Packaging Machinery
First off, let’s get one thing straight: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Noise levels depend entirely on what type of packaging machine we’re talking about, how old it is, how well it’s been maintained, and even the brand. But let’s start with the basics, because that’s where most people get confused. When we measure noise, we use something called decibels (dB). A normal conversation is about 60 dB, a vacuum cleaner is around 70 dB, and OSHA—you know, the agency that keeps workplaces safe—says that any exposure to 85 dB or higher for more than 8 hours requires hearing protection. If it’s 100 dB, that’s like standing next to a motorcycle engine revving, and you really only want that for 15 minutes max before damage happens.
Now, let’s talk about common used packaging machinery, because that’s what I sell every week. Let’s go through the most popular types, since I’ve tested dozens of them over the years. First, case sealers—you know, the machines that tape up cardboard boxes. Most mid-range case sealers from the 2010s, when they’re well-maintained, clock in around 75 to 80 dB. That’s about as loud as a busy restaurant or a washing machine on spin. Nothing crazy, but if you’re running a whole line of these 8 hours a day, you’ll want earbuds for loud noise, not just the flimsy foam ones. Older case sealers, like ones from the early 2000s that have loose belts or worn rollers? They can creep up to 82 or 83 dB, which is right at that OSHA threshold. We always tune those up before selling them—tighten belts, lubricate gears, fix misaligned parts—so that number drops back down.
Next up: shrink wrap machines, especially tunnel shrink wrappers. These are the ones that heat up plastic wrap to put around bundles of products. Now, these are a little trickier. The blower motor inside the tunnel is the main noise source. Newer model shrink wrappers are around 78 to 82 dB, but used ones, especially if the motor’s been running hard and hasn’t been serviced, can hit 88 dB. That’s like a lawnmower. If you’re running a shrink wrapper all day, OSHA would require your team to use proper hearing protection here, no exceptions. The good news is, we replace worn blower parts and balance the motor on every used shrink wrapper we sell, so most of our units come in at 80 dB or lower. That’s a big difference.
Then there are the big ones: automatic filling machines, like for bottles or cans. These are usually the loudest packaging machines you’ll find on a factory floor. Mid-range automatic fillers from the last 10 years are around 82 to 87 dB. But the older heavy-duty ones, like the ones from the 90s that some people still swear by? They can hit 90 to 95 dB. That’s about as loud as a chainsaw. If you’re standing next to one of those for more than a few minutes, you’ll hear a ringing in your ears by the end of the day, and that’s not just annoying—it’s permanent damage that you can’t fix. When we get older automatic fillers in, we check the fill heads, the conveyor system, and the pump. A lot of the time, worn bearings or loose bolts are the culprit for that extra noise. Fix those, and we can bring a 92 dB filler down to 86 or 87 dB, which is manageable with hearing protection.
Wait, let’s not forget about palletizers and stretch wrappers for pallets. Stretch wrappers that wrap the entire pallet of boxes? Those are usually around 76 to 81 dB, similar to case sealers. Robotic palletizers, though, the ones that have moving arms and pick up heavy boxes? Those can hit 85 to 90 dB, because of the motors and the metal arms moving fast. Again, maintenance is key here. A robotic palletizer that’s had regular tune-ups will be at the lower end of that range, one that’s been sitting unused for years and just needs lubrication will be too.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Okay, so what does this mean for my shop? Can I just plug a used machine in and not worry about it?” Not exactly, but here’s the thing that most people don’t tell you when they’re looking at used equipment: a lot of the noise that makes machines loud is preventable, especially in used machinery. Brand also plays a role—like, I’ve found that high-end brands used in food packaging or pharmaceuticals, which have stricter noise controls, tend to be quieter than budget brands from the 2000s. We test every machine we sell with a basic decibel meter when we receive it, and then again after servicing, so we can give our customers a real, honest number, not a guess.
Also, let’s talk about the difference between continuous operation and occasional use. If you’re only using a shrink wrapper for an hour or two a day, a 88 dB machine is no big deal. But if you’re running it 12 hours a day, that’s when you need to be careful. OSHA’s exposure limits are based on time, right? The louder the noise, the less time you can safely be around it. So a 85 dB machine is 8 hours max, 90 dB is 2 hours, 95 dB is 15 minutes. That math isn’t up for debate, and it’s not something to mess with—hearing loss is permanent, and it’s really expensive to deal with from a workers’ comp standpoint.
Another thing: don’t just take the seller’s word for it. A lot of used machinery sellers will tell you their machines are “quiet as a mouse” when they’re actually 87 dB. That’s why we encourage customers to either come test the machine in person, or ask us for the exact decibel reading we took before and after service. We put that in every machine’s spec sheet, no exceptions. I had a customer last month who almost bought a used case sealer from another supplier that they thought was 78 dB, but when we tested it, it was 84 dB, right at the threshold. We told them, hey, that’s manageable if you just add a couple of ear protectors, but the other supplier didn’t mention that. That’s the difference between someone who cares and someone who just wants to make a sale.
Now, let’s talk about common myths. A lot of people think all used machinery is loud, because old equipment is noisy. But that’s not true. We have a 2018 case sealer that we sold last quarter that’s only 76 dB—because the previous owner took great care of it. They lubricated the gears every month, tightened the belts, replaced worn rollers before they got loud. It sounds like a normal conversation. The machines that are loud are the ones that haven’t been maintained, which is why our whole process is servicing every machine before we sell it. We don’t just clean the outside and call it good—we go through every moving part, fix what’s worn, test the noise level, and make sure it’s safe for your team.
Also, if noise is a big concern for your facility—maybe you’re in a small space, or you have employees who are sensitive to noise, or you live in a residential area—there are things you can do even if the machine is a little on the loud side. We sell noise enclosures for packaging machines too, and they can cut decibels by 5 to 10 dB. That’s enough to bring a 87 dB shrink wrapper down to 78 dB, which is basically a normal conversation. It’s a small add-on that’s worth it if noise is a priority for you.
Wait, let’s circle back to what I said at the start: as a used packaging machinery supplier, I’m not here to sell you a machine that’s going to cause problems down the line. Noise is one of the biggest complaints I get from customers after they buy a machine, so we make sure we’re transparent about it from day one. I’ve had customers come to us after buying from big-box used equipment sites, and they say the machine is way louder than they were told, and they have to spend thousands of dollars fixing it or adding noise controls. We never want that for our customers.
So, to sum up: the noise level of used packaging machinery varies, but most common types clock in between 75 and 90 dB when properly serviced. Case sealers and stretch wrappers are on the lower end, automatic fillers and robotic palletizers are on the higher end. Maintenance is the biggest factor in how loud a used machine is, and we always test and service every unit to get that noise level down to safe, manageable numbers. And if noise is a big deal for you, just ask for the decibel reading—we’ll give it to you straight, no sugarcoating.
If you’re in the market for used packaging machinery, don’t guess about noise levels. Reach out to us, and we’ll walk you through all the specs, including real decibel readings, so you can pick a machine that fits your needs, your team, and your facility.
Paper Box Making Machine References
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2023). Noise and Hearing Conservation. U.S. Department of Labor.
Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute. (2022). Sound Level Guidelines for Industrial Packaging Equipment.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2021). Noise Exposure Levels and Hearing Loss Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Guangzhou HS Machinery Co., Ltd.
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