What to Look for When Buying a Used Kiwa
Kiwa HMCs are built for palletized, multi-shift production in job shops and tier-one automotive environments. The expandable architecture means many used units in the market have been field-upgraded from 2-pallet to 4, 6, or 8-pallet configurations, and tool magazines may have grown from 60 to 120 or 220 tools. Here is what to verify on any used Kiwa.
Inspect the spindle, ATC, and pallet changer. Test spindle runout at low and high rpm, and check bearing noise after warm-up. Kiwa spindles are typically Cat 40 / BT40 at 12,000 to 15,000 rpm on KH-45 and KMH-300 platforms, and Cat 50 / BT50 at 10,000 rpm on KH-55. Cycle the automatic tool changer through every pocket, paying particular attention to expanded magazines (120, 180, or 220 tools) where added tool arms may see uneven wear. Cycle the pallet changer multiple times under load and verify clamp repeatability at the machining station.
Verify 4th-axis and rotary table condition. Most Kiwa HMCs ship with a full 4th-axis rotary table indexed in 0.001 degree steps. Newer KH-4500 units use Kiwa's ball-drive system for zero-backlash rotary motion. Measure backlash with an indicator at the platen, check hydraulic clamp engagement, and on 5-axis configurations (KMH-300 and KMH-630 with integrated B-axis) confirm calibration with a test part or probe cycle.
Check pallet count, tool capacity, and expansion potential. Kiwa's core selling point is field expandability. On a used machine, confirm the current pallet count (2, 4, 6, or 8) and ATC capacity (60, 120, 180, or 220), then verify whether the machine still has physical room and control provisions to expand further. A 2-pallet / 60-tool machine that can still be upgraded commands a meaningful premium over one already maxed out.
Identify the Fanuc control generation. Kiwa HMCs use Fanuc controls almost exclusively. Common combinations include Fanuc 0i-MD and 0i-MF on KMH series, Fanuc 18i on older KNH platforms, and Fanuc 31i or 32i on current KH-4500 and KH-55 machines. Matching the control generation to your existing CNC fleet simplifies operator training and program portability.
Kiwa Horizontal Machining Centers
KH-45 & KH-4500 Series (400mm Pallet)
The KH-45 is Kiwa's flagship mid-size HMC and the most commonly traded Kiwa model on the used market. Standard specs include 400mm x 400mm pallet, 25.2" (640mm) X travel, 24.0" (610mm) Y travel, 26.8" (680mm) Z travel, 1,102 lb (500 kg) pallet load, 150 to 12,000 rpm Cat 40 spindle, and 22 kW (30 HP) spindle motor. The next-generation KH-4500 (and KH-4500kai) expands Y-axis travel to 29" (737mm), adds 15,000 rpm spindle options, 74 m/min rapid rates, Kiwa's ball-drive 4th axis, and an optional 150 bar (2,000 psi) through-spindle coolant system.
KH-55 Series (500mm Pallet, Cat 50)
The KH-55 steps up to 500mm x 500mm dual pallets with a 10,000 rpm Cat 50 taper spindle, 623 Nm (459 lb-ft) spindle torque, and an expanded 240-tool ATC option. A BT40 variant is available with 880mm X/Y strokes. Aimed at heavier aerospace and die & mold work where Cat 50 tooling rigidity matters.
KMH-300 & KMH-630 Series (Compact HMCs with B-Axis)
The KMH-300 and KMH-300A deliver full palletized horizontal machining in a 140" x 107" footprint, making them the go-to Kiwa choice for shops with limited floor space. Specs include a 12.6" (320mm) dual pallet, 18.1" (X) and 18.1" (Y) travels, 13.7" Z, 12,000 or 15,000 rpm Cat 40 spindle, and 120-tool ATC. The KMH-630 scales up to a 630mm pallet. Both feature integrated full-rotary B-axis, spindle oil cooling, and coolant-through ballscrews as standard. Fanuc 0i-MD / 0i-MF control with 15" LCD.
KNH Series (Legacy Pallet Pool HMCs)
The legacy KNH-426X and related KNH platforms remain widely available on the used market, typically configured with 6-pallet pool systems, 120-position ATC, Fanuc 18i control, high-pressure coolant, chip conveyor, Renishaw probing, and BIG-PLUS spindle interface. Proven, reliable, and well-supported for parts and service.
How to Sell Your Used Kiwa
Kiwa HMCs hold strong resale value thanks to the brand's reputation for Japanese build quality, field expandability (so used machines can be upgraded for the next owner), and continued US support through Methods Machine Tools. KH-45, KH-4500, KMH-300A, and KNH-426X pallet-pool machines are in particularly high demand.
Resell CNC buys used Kiwa HMCs nationwide, every model and generation.
- Contact us with model, serial, control, and photos. Call (844) 478-8181 or email sales@resellcnc.com.
- Free appraisal within 24 hours, no obligation.
- Accept the offer and we handle rigging, crating, and transport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Used Kiwa Machines
Are used Kiwa HMCs reliable?
Yes. Kiwa is regarded as one of Japan's foremost HMC builders, with a build heritage dating to 1933 and modern production in Nabari, Mie Prefecture. Mechanical design is straightforward, spindles and ballscrews are built for multi-shift production, and the expandable architecture means many used machines have been actively maintained through field upgrades.
What CNC control does Kiwa use?
Fanuc, almost exclusively. Common combinations include Fanuc 0i-MD and 0i-MF on KMH series, 18i on legacy KNH machines, and 31i or 32i on newer KH-4500 and KH-55 platforms.
What makes Kiwa HMCs different from other horizontal machines?
In-the-field expandability. A Kiwa HMC can start as a 2-pallet, 60-tool machine and be field-upgraded to 6 or 8 pallets with up to 220 tools, without replacing the base machine. That makes Kiwa an unusually good fit for job shops that want to scale production as work grows.
What Kiwa models hold their value best?
KH-45 and KH-4500 (400mm pallet HMCs), KMH-300A (compact palletized HMC), KH-55 (500mm Cat 50), and KNH-426X with 6-pallet pool all maintain strong resale values. Call (844) 478-8181 for current valuations.
Where are Kiwa machines manufactured?
All Kiwa machining centers are built at the Kiwa Machinery factory in Nabari, Mie Prefecture, Japan. The Shanghai subsidiary handles regional production and sales for China and parts of Asia.
Can I still get parts and service for older Kiwa HMCs?
Yes. Kiwa USA, operating within Methods Machine Tools in Sudbury, Massachusetts, supports the full US installed base with parts, service, and application engineering, including machines going back to the 1980s and 1990s.
Does Resell CNC offer financing on used Kiwa machines?
Yes. Resell CNC offers flexible financing options to help your shop acquire the equipment it needs. Contact us at (844) 478-8181 to discuss terms.
How do I sell my used Kiwa?
Contact Resell CNC at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com. We buy every Kiwa HMC, pallet-pool system, and 5-axis machine nationwide. Free appraisal within 24 hours.