Buying a used excavator has numerous advantages over a new machine – they are cheaper, you avoid the initial depreciation knock, insurance costs are lower, and there is a wider range to choose from. There are also numerous disadvantages, the most important being stuck with a lemon. Here are NINE things to look at when buying a used excavator.
1. Age: knowing how old it is will help you estimate how many productive years it has ahead of it. It will also help you estimate future maintenance costs.
2. History: you can quickly tell whether a machine was looked after or not. You want to check the body for damage and dents, wear on the outside moving parts, oil leaks on the hydraulic points, and the state of the cab.
3. Documentation: you want to ask for an original invoice, whether there are any liens against the machine, and maintenance records.
4. Fluids: dirty and low fluids in the gaskets can indicate poor upkeep and below-standard maintenance. Be aware of further concerning conditions, such as water in engine oil, which can relate to more critical issues at hand. Others include cloudy oil, a coolant system with bubble formations, and oil in coolant or vice versa.
5. Operating Hours: high hours do not necessarily mean the machine is tired. On the flip side, low hours do not mean the machine is in good shape. Do not put too much faith in the hour meter – because they can also be doctored.
6. Wear and Tear: a used excavator won’t be as pristine as a new engine from the market, but some signs of wear are more major than others and can indicate problems — especially hairline cracks along the steel, rust, decay, dents, repair welds, and damaged parts. You also want to look out for the following red flags: coolant in oil and oil in coolant, difficult engine starting, high temperatures in the system, loose pins in the undercarriage, oil leaks on or under equipment, smoking engine, structural damage, and welds on attachment arms.
7. Engine Smoke: the colour of the smoke tells you a lot about the state of the engine. Black smoke indicates there is an imbalanced mix of air and fuel inside the engine triggered by inadequate filtration. White smoke is a result of mixed fluids like coolant and water spreading in the oil from a blown head gasket. Blue smoke indicates a broken ring or valve seal where it lets in too much oil causing the engine to overheat.
8. The Cab: if a machine has low hours, but the sticks, pedals, and seat have excessive wear, it is possible the clock has been doctored. The cab never lies!
9. Take it for a Spin: start up the excavator and take her through a few simple motions. You want to move her backward and forwards, engage a turn, and move the bucket, dipper arm, and boom cylinders to make sure the movements are crisp and powerful. If the movements are slow and sluggish, there could be an issue with the pump. You also want to slew the cab to the side, put the bucket down and check for play in the ring gear.
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