If you’re searching for a used excavator, you might know exactly what you want, what to inspect, and how much to pay. However, if you’ve started your search and have some lingering questions about making sure the excavator you find is the one you need, we’ve put together this short used excavator buying guide to help.
Read on for some simple tips to help in your search and be sure the excavator you find is the best fit for you and your work.
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.
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.
Check the Bucket, Bucket Teeth, and Cutting Edges
While rust on a used excavator bucket can often be expected, you should ensure that heavy wear to teeth and cutting edges won’t impact the efficiency of the excavator. You should also watch for patches or welds that indicate the bucket has been repaired. While repairs to the bucket aren’t necessarily a dealbreaker, ensuring they were done correctly and professionally can help you determine the remaining working life of the bucket.
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.
Check the Final Drives
The tracks on an excavator are powered by two final drives and though these drives are designed to stand up to long-term and hard-pressing work, inside of each drive are gears that can deteriorate over time. While you likely won’t be popping them open to see the condition of the gears, you can still inspect the fluid for signs of contamination and put them to work to ensure they help the machine travel smoothly with no jerks or delays in the machine’s movement.
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.
Post time: Jun-03-2019