Houston never slows down its highway expansion, street resurfacing, and big projects. To keep pace, contractors need heavy-duty equipment that works as hard as they do. Used Cold planers for sale in Houston, Texas, are at the center of that effort. They grind, level, and prep surfaces for fresh asphalt, making them essential on nearly every paving site in the city.
Here’s the catch: a brand-new cold planer needs to spend more than $750,000. That’s a big hit for any contractor’s budget. So, what’s the smarter move? Many Houston builders skip the steep upfront costs and invest in used machines. When a well-kept model like the 2013 Wirtgen W250 shows up, it’s not just a machine on the market—it’s an opportunity to boost your fleet’s capacity without draining capital.
What Is a Cold Planer?
A cold planer is designed to strip layers of pavement with precision. Unlike hot methods, it doesn’t melt the surface. Instead, it relies on a heavy drum armed with sharp picks (teeth) to chew through asphalt or concrete at controlled depths.
The beauty of this method is that the removed material, known as millings, isn’t wasted. It often gets recycled into new pavement. That makes cold planers both practical for contractors and friendly to the environment. Think of it this way: whenever a road, runway, or parking lot needs a fresh start, a cold planer is the first on-site machine.
Types of Cold Planers
Not every milling job is the same, so cold planers come in different categories. Here’s a breakdown of the main types you’ll see in action:
- Small Cold Planers
Cutting width: 12–24 inches.
Where they shine: tight spots, trenches, small parking areas.
Houston example: maneuvering through compact neighborhood streets or alleyways.
- Medium Cold Planers
Cutting width: 2–6 feet.
Best fit: city resurfacing, patching, and routine street work.
Advantage: a solid mix of maneuverability and milling power.
- Large Cold Planers
Cutting width: up to 14 feet (like the Wirtgen W250).
Purpose: highways, runways, and heavy industrial sites.
Why they matter: They move massive amounts of material in fewer passes.
- Half-Lane and Full-Lane Planers
Half-lane: adaptable enough for both mid-size and big jobs.
Full-lane: can cut an entire highway lane in a single pass—an enormous time saver.
Where Do Cold Planers Prove Useful?
If you’ve driven through Houston lately, you’ve probably passed by a crew using a cold planer. Cold planers have a broad reach and applications that go well beyond standard roadwork. In road construction and maintenance projects, the previously owned cold planer for sale delivers outstanding performance and durability.
- Road resurfacing – Peel off worn asphalt, lay a smooth foundation for fresh pavement.
- Full-depth removal – Machines like the W250 dig deep when a road fails, clearing everything fast.
- Smooth transitions – They feather edges so new asphalt blends seamlessly into old, keeping drivers comfortable.
- Airport runways – Precision leveling is critical for aircraft safety, and cold planers deliver it.
- Commercial spaces – Parking lots, shopping centers, warehouses—downtime hurts business, so speed is key.
- Recycling asphalt—According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the U.S. reclaims over 89 million tons of asphalt annually, much of it from cold planer millings.
- Highway widening – Edges are milled clean so new lanes bond properly to old ones.
- Utility and drainage work – Smaller planers cut neat trenches in urban zones without tearing up streets.
Why Contractors Look at Used Models
Now, why settle on a used cold planer, and more specifically, the 2013 Wirtgen W250? Here’s the thing: contractors in Houston don’t just want a machine that runs. They want one that makes financial and operational sense. The W250 checks those boxes.
- Sheer Power – With dual engines pushing nearly 980 horsepower, it chews through deep cuts and wide surfaces without hesitation.
- Fuel Efficiency – Wirtgen’s smart control system matches output to workload. That means less fuel burned per ton milled—significant savings on long Houston jobs.
- Wide Reach—It is capable of milling up to 12 feet in a single pass, which means entire highway lanes can be completed quicker with less wear on the crew and machine.
- Built to Last – German engineering is no marketing gimmick. Even a 2013 model, when maintained properly, keeps up with today’s job site demands.
- Smarter Investment – Buying used avoids tying up millions. Contractors free up working capital for payroll, fuel, or even bidding on bigger jobs.
- Strong Resale—Unlike lesser-known brands, Wirtgen machines tend to hold their value. If you decide to sell them down the road, you won’t take a steep hit.
- Proven in Houston – From stretches of I-45 to airport maintenance projects, the W250 has earned its local stripes. Contractors trust what they know.
When one of these pops up on the resale market in good condition, it doesn’t sit long. Contractors move fast because they know what it means for their bottom line.
Smart Tips to Buy Second-Hand Cold Planer
Not all used cold planers are created equal. Mico Cranes and Equipment, TX, has a wide range of second-hand cold planers for sale in Houston. Here are some no-nonsense checks every buyer should make:
- Milling width and depth → Does it match your usual project types?
- Cutting tools & drum condition → Worn picks or cracked drums mean extra costs.
- Engine hours → Lower hours help, but service consistency matters more.
- Conveyor system → Smooth transfer keeps jobs on schedule.
- Control tech → Automation and leveling must be in working order.
- Maintenance history → Service logs tell the real story of machine care.
- Undercarriage & tracks → Stability depends on a solid base.
Skipping these checks can turn what looks like a deal into a headache. Better to know now than regret later.
Used Cold Planer Near Me
If your Houston projects are expanding and you’re looking for a machine that delivers from day one, the 2013 Wirtgen W250 Cold Planer deserves a spot in your fleet. The second-hand cold planer for sale from reliable brands is rigid, efficient, and already trusted on the biggest jobs in the region. At Mico Cranes and Equipment, TX, we specialize in sourcing and supplying used heavy machinery that contractors can count on. Our goal is simple: help you build smarter, faster, and with peace of mind. Call us today at +1 (281) 468-9898 or visit www.micoequipment.com.
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