Starlight Metals

Scrap Machinery in Henderson

Henderson and the broader Kwinana industrial corridor is one of Perth’s most active areas for heavy industry, manufacturing, and marine trades. Which means it’s also one of the areas where old, redundant, and end-of-life machinery accumulates fastest.

Whether it’s a CNC machine that’s been superseded, a diesel pump from a decommissioned site, an old hydraulic press, or a collection of agricultural equipment from a small farm in the Hope Valley area , if it’s metal and it’s no longer in use, it has scrap value.

Here’s exactly what we buy, what it’s worth, and how to get the process started.

What types of machinery we accept

The short answer is: most metal-based machinery. We don’t need it to work. We don’t need it to be in one piece. The value is in the metal content, not the operational status.

Industrial and manufacturing machinery

  • CNC machines, lathes, milling machines, grinders
  • Hydraulic presses and metal-working equipment
  • Compressors, generators, and diesel pumps
  • Conveyor systems and material handling equipment
  • Electrical switchgear, transformers, and electric motors
  • Welding equipment and fabrication machinery

Construction and earthmoving equipment

  • Excavator and heavy plant attachments (buckets, blades, ripper teeth)
  • Structural steel from decommissioned buildings or structures
  • Old scaffolding, formwork, and construction plant

Agricultural and farm machinery

  • Tractors and agricultural vehicles (stripped or whole)
  • Harvesters, balers, and cultivation equipment
  • Old irrigation pumps and equipment
  • Trailers and farm transport

Household and commercial machines

  • Large domestic appliances (washing machines, dryers, commercial refrigeration)
  • Air conditioning units (split system and ducted)
  • Commercial kitchen equipment (stainless steel fryers, ovens, benches)
  • Coffee machines and commercial appliances with significant metal content

How machinery is priced , what drives the value

Machinery scrap pricing comes down to three things: the type of metal, the weight, and how much non-metal material is attached.

Steel-bodied machinery , most industrial equipment, construction plant, agricultural machinery , is typically priced in the steel scrap range: approximately $150-$300 per tonne for mixed steel content. That’s the baseline.

What moves the price upward is the presence of high-value non-ferrous metals within the machine. Electric motors have copper windings that are worth substantially more than the steel casing. Hydraulic systems contain brass and aluminium fittings. Compressors have copper coils. The more copper, aluminium, and brass within the machine, the better the total yield.

For most machinery, we assess the composition on arrival and give you a price that reflects the metal mix. For large or unusual items, it’s worth calling ahead with a description and approximate weight so we can give you an indicative quote before you arrange transport.

Getting heavy machinery to the yard

The logistics of moving heavy machinery is often the thing people find most daunting about selling it for scrap. A few options:

  • Drive in yourself: For machinery that fits on a trailer or flat-deck , old generators, farm equipment, smaller fabrication machinery , a standard trailer delivers it directly. We’re at 49 Burlington Street, Naval Base, which is straightforward access for trailers from the Henderson industrial precinct via Rockingham Road.
  • Arrange a flat-bed truck: For heavier machinery that requires a crane or flat-bed truck to move, we can discuss site collection for significant volumes. Call us to talk through the specifics.
  • Site cleanout: For decommissioned factory or workshop situations involving multiple pieces of machinery, we handle larger-scale collection arrangements. These are usually worth discussing upfront given the logistics involved.

     

For anything that weighs more than a few tonnes or requires crane handling, a phone conversation before any movement is planned is the right starting point.

Getting a quote on machinery scrap in Henderson or surrounding areas?

Call us with a description of what you’ve got, an approximate weight if you know it, and your location. We’ll give you an honest price indication and talk through the best way to get it to the yard.

Call 0436 278 549 , we’re near Henderson at Naval Base →

Electric motors , worth extra attention

Electric motors deserve a special mention because they’re one of the highest-returning pieces of machinery scrap for their size and weight. A standard three-phase industrial motor has a substantial copper winding inside a steel frame. The copper content drives the per-kilogram price above what you’d get for steel alone.

We assess motors on arrival based on their size, condition, and copper content. Larger motors (15kW and above) generally have a higher copper-to-steel ratio and pay accordingly.

If you’re decommissioning a Henderson factory or workshop with multiple motors , extractors, compressors, conveyor drives , it’s worth keeping them together as a separate load rather than mixing them with general steel scrap.

Transformers , the other high-value equipment

Old electrical transformers from industrial sites and commercial buildings are worth bringing in. They contain copper windings and often significant aluminium content in addition to the steel core.

Transformers require careful handling , older units (pre-1980) may contain PCB-insulating oil, which requires licensed handling and disposal. This is worth disclosing when you call ahead so we can discuss the right approach. For modern dry-type transformers or oil-types confirmed as PCB-free, the process is straightforward.

Frequently asked questions about machinery scrap in Henderson and Perth’s south

Does the machinery need to work for you to buy it?

No. Scrap value is based on metal content, not operational status. Whether a machine is running, broken, stripped, or rusted solid, the metal still has value. Bring it in or call us for a quote based on what you’ve got.

How much is old industrial machinery worth as scrap?

It depends heavily on the machine type, size, and metal composition. Steel-bodied machinery typically earns $150-$300 per tonne. Machines with significant copper content (electric motors, transformers, compressors) pay more. For anything substantial, call with a description and we’ll give you an indicative figure.

Can you collect heavy machinery from a site in Henderson or Kwinana?

For larger volumes or decommissioned factory situations, we can discuss site collection arrangements. Call us to talk through the specifics of what you have, where it is, and the volumes involved. Small to medium loads are best delivered to our Naval Base yard.

Do you buy old farm machinery in the Hope Valley and Rockingham areas?

Yes. Old tractors, harvesters, balers, and other farm equipment are accepted. They contain significant quantities of steel, cast iron, aluminium, and often copper (in motors and wiring). If it’s a complete vehicle, note that we’ll assess based on metal content rather than operational value.

What do I do with a transformer that might have PCB oil?

Disclose this when you call ahead. Older oil-filled transformers (particularly pre-1980) may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which require licensed handling and disposal. We can advise on the right approach for your specific situation. Don’t transport suspected PCB-containing equipment without discussing it first.

The Henderson industrial precinct is right next door

Our Naval Base yard is a short drive from the Henderson industrial precinct , one of Perth’s most significant heavy industrial zones, home to marine manufacturing, defence industries, metal fabrication, and construction businesses. We’re familiar with the types of machinery and metal waste that comes off these operations and set up to handle it efficiently.

If you’re running a Henderson or Kwinana-based operation and need regular scrap metal collection as part of your waste stream, give us a call. Ongoing commercial arrangements suit both parties and simplify the logistics.

Talk to us about your machinery scrap

Henderson, Kwinana, Wattleup, Naval Base and surrounds. We buy industrial, agricultural, and commercial machinery for cash. Call with a description of what you’ve got.

Call 0436 278 549 , Naval Base yard, easy access from Henderson →