At Vikfin, we are specialists in excavators. If you are in the market for a second-hand excavator, we have prepared a quick checklist of the seven things that you need to focus on to make sure that you get the most bang for your buck.
1. Smoking
This may sound like a no-brainer but you will be surprised by the number of buyers that overlook this obvious point. Love is blind and this could not be truer than in the purchase of a second-hand excavator. Repairing or replacing the engine can be a very costly exercise and is something you want to avoid at all costs. But you need to go beyond just starting her up. It may not smoke when you start her up, but it might start to smoke on certain functions or speeds. You want to be on the lookout for pressure points on the engine. Therefore, you need to test EVERY speed and function.
2. Cracks, Dents, and Dodgy Paint jobs
Sellers of dodgy excavators will try to hide their defects. These machines work in stressful and difficult conditions. This means that you need to focus on the integrity of the machine and look for signs she may be more tired than the seller is telling you. Look for cracks or dents on any of the load-bearing elements of an excavator (such as the boom, stick, or bucket). Also, look for newly applied paint jobs which could indicate that an attempt is being made to hide some of the defects. Also, pay special attention to key connection point welds - those will often be the ones to show damage to the structure first.
3. Leaks
You will be well advised to check all cylinders, hoses, and lines for leaks, as well as the hydraulic pump. At the same time, it has to be said that leaks do happen and it is not necessarily a red flag. Remember that if there is a leak, YOU as the buyer will be the one that will need to replace it and that should be factored into the price paid for the machine.
4. Check the Clock
While the hour meter is important, it is important not to be a cock-eyed optimist – meters can be jimmied and a good way to see if this has happened is by checking the control pedals. The meter is showing a low reading and the pedals are worn down, it is possible that either the meter is not working or it has been manually altered. Also check the general condition of the machine. If it is 20 years old and beat up, and 1,000 hours on the clock, get the hell out of there!
5. Track Tension
You need to check the track tension. When steel tracks are too tight, it creates added load on contact areas, which can accelerate component wear. A track that is too tight also robs the machine of its power and fuel efficiency, as it actually takes more effort to turn the track. If a track is too loose, it can create instability and potentially cause the tracks to derail, while also causing wear on other components of the undercarriage.
6. Price
Unlike cars, excavators tend to hold their value well. This means that if the price is really low, there is a pretty good chance there is something wrong with it. Prices can still vary widely. For more on price discovery, check out our blog: https://www.vikfin.co.za/post/short-guide-to-buying-used-heavy-machinery
7. Replacement parts
Going back to the car comparison, given that they are produced on a far wider scale than heavy machinery, parts are easy to come by. The same is not always true for excavators and the older the machine you buy, the more you will need replacement parts. Vikfin specializes in high quality used excavator parts priced to every budget.
Check out our website: https://www.vikfin.co.za/used-equipment-parts
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