What are the best tips for construction site inspection? Here are five inspection suggestions to bear in mind when purchasing old machinery. Equipment purchasers typically experience difficulty finding appropriately used machinery that is in good working condition. The procedure becomes more difficult if the buyer is unskilled or doesn’t know what to look for while inspecting old heavy machinery.
The prior maintenance and usage history of used construction equipment determines its condition. Therefore, no client would take the chance of importing second-hand foreign machinery into Nigeria only to incur high maintenance or replacement expenses as a result of the machine’s unidentified defects.
If you want to purchase any secondhand heavy machinery, take into account the five inspection recommendations in this article. Then, when evaluating a used equipment, make use of these insights to identify any warning signs and buy with confidence.
- Visually obvious structure Check
It is common to begin visually inspecting an object from the ground up. Start by looking at the machine’s wheels or bottom undercarriage. Next, look over the machine’s frame, add-ons, and other exterior parts.
Keep the following in mind when you check things out:
Does the machine’s structure seem to have significant fractures or damage?
Are there any fish plates or welding traces visible on the machine’s body?
Do the hydraulic cylinders, the engine panel, or the machine’s foundation have any oil leaks?
What condition are the wheels and undercarriage in?
What state is the machine accessory in?
Look at the illustration in the graph below. The arrows point to certain locations near the Caterpillar excavator equipment during the visible structural inspection so that problems may be identified early.
Verify the areas listed below during a structural inspection of the machine before purchasing it and shipping it to Nigeria.
- Inside Cabin Inspection
Aesthetics and attractiveness shouldn’t even cross your thoughts while you assess the inside of the cabin. Instead, the heavy machinery is guided and maneuvered by its control, steering, and backup systems. So what should a Nigerian buyer consider while inspecting the interior of a heavy machinery cabin?
All switches, gauges, and indicators on the equipment dashboard should be on your checklist.
The foot pedals, joystick, and steering wheel are all in excellent working condition.
The windows, lights, mirrors, seat belt, and other components all operate well.
Cab accessibility or EROPS (extended rollover protective structure).
Check out the heating and cooling system.
- Check the Clock’s Hours
The age of the machine is important when examining the documented running hours for secondhand construction equipment. For instance, if a wheel loader machine with a four-year lifespan shows a meter reading of 25000 hours, the high hours should offer insight into the component life cycle. It’s possible that you’ll need to repair some worn parts after buying the equipment.
Finally, check to see whether the vendor has tampered with, fixed, or inaccurately read the hour meter. Particularly if the consumer lacks technical understanding, it could be challenging to identify any strange changes in the hour meter. You’ll want a machine expert’s assistance. When asked, workshop engineers from BAS Machinery send hourly meter reports on secondhand equipment to equipment buyers.
- Noise Evaluation
In this particular section of the machinery inspection, you should keep an eye out for any potential symptoms that you could have missed during the exterior check of the apparatus.
Watch out for any of the following when the machine is switched on and operating:
An issue with the mechanism may be indicated by the engine’s coughing noises.
Squeaking noises during basic operations might be an indication of loose connections, worn-out components, or missing fasteners.
Unusual noises might be a sign that the connections on the heavy machinery require lubrication.
A Caterpillar D6T XL Bulldozer is examined in a video by BAS Machinery.
When driving, listen for the normal engine noise devoid of any strange noises.
- Inspection of the Engine and Hydraulics
The hydraulic system and engine are the two most crucial parts of every piece of equipment. On any hydraulic cylinders, look for visual signs of fluid leaks, breaks, scratches, or dents. Make sure that all of the hoses are properly coupled and sealed. Additionally, keep an eye out in the engine and engine panel for apparent signs of leaks, loose belts, and filthy filters.
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