Things To Know Before Buying Used Heavy Construction Equipment Excavator

What are the things that you need to know before buying used heavy construction equipment excavator? Excavators are expensive, but purchasing a used excavator might help you save money. Purchasing used earth moving equipment, on the other hand, can be costly if due measures and inspections are not taken. Just as used autos should not be purchased without a comprehensive inspection, a used excavator should not be purchased without thoroughly inspecting all aspects of the machine to ensure that the machine’s value matches its current condition. Here’s a closer look at some of the excavator features and functionalities that should be scrutinized before buying a secondhand excavator.

Inspect the swing radius for play or movement.

Any play or movement in the slew ring that is not a typical element of its operation should be scrutinized. The hydraulic excavator housing should be tight and smooth when rotated, with no play or abnormal movement. Examine all connections, particularly those between the stick, boom, and bucket. Check for loose play in the bushings and pins. The accuracy suffers as a result of loose connection points. The slew ring is one of the most expensive items to replace if it is damaged.

Examining the condition of the excavator on the outside

Dents, cracks, and bends should be checked on the machine’s exterior. Parts that have been heavily utilized, such as the boom and stick, may warp and flex with time. This usually necessitates the replacement of the damaged component, which can be costly. Dents on the stick or other elements of the machine could indicate that previous owners mistreated it. Records should be scrutinized to determine that the machine was not rented, as rented machines are more likely to be misused by operators.

Cracks are a telltale sign of wear and tear, and they almost always indicate that the affected parts will need to be replaced soon to avoid a bigger problem.

Inspect the hydraulics of the excavator for any leakage.

Hydraulic leaks can also be an indication of abuse or deterioration. All cylinders, hoses, and lines should be inspected thoroughly. Any leaks in the hydraulic pump compartment, as well as the swing bearing and slew ring, should be checked. Before the machine is evaluated for purchase, all leaks should be rectified.

Hour meter that isn’t working or isn’t correct

To confirm that the correct amount of hours have been registered onto the machine, the hour meter should be checked and authenticated. The control pedals can be checked if it is not working properly or if there is any reason to doubt the veracity of the reading. The presence of excessive wear on the pedals could indicate that the reading is incorrect.

Examine the bucket and attachments for signs of wear and tear.

Excessive wear on bucket teeth indicates a decrease in digging efficiency and may indicate the need for bucket replacement. If the bucket teeth are scalloped, a condition that happens when teeth are worn down into a half-moon shape, they should be inspected. With these flaws, the bucket will most certainly continue to function, but at a lower efficiency, and replacement may be required soon.

Parts/maintenance

The excavator’s model should be investigated to ensure that parts are easily available and can be acquired if any of the machine’s components fail and render it inoperable. Support and maintenance from the manufacturer may be required in the future, thus this should be considered before purchasing a model.

Tires

Tires are an essential and costly component of earthmoving equipment. The present state of the tires should be assessed, and the number of hours on the tires should be ascertained if possible. Standard excavator tires have a life expectancy of at least 5,000 hours, with premium tires with a longer life expectancy available at a higher price. For example, Hitachi sells a Michelin tire that lasts for 7,000 hours on average.

Comparison of costs

Excavators have a high resale value. While hours utilized are important in assessing excavator value, other aspects such as the year the model was produced, which attachments are included, overall condition, and so on may also be considered when determining value for new and used excavators. Below is a list of various popular excavators, along with a pricing comparison between new excavators and secondhand excavators with varying hours on the machines.

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