Things to Check When Buying an Excavator for Sale

Doing an equipment inspection wouldn’t be necessary if we lived in a perfect world. But in reality, the world is not as honest as it should be. Even the most trustworthy and reliable construction equipment dealer can fail to notice faulty products and make mistakes.

So, blindly trusting any dealer and buying an excavator without inspection would be risky. So, when considering an excavator for sale, make sure you conduct a careful and revised inspection to make an informed buying decision.

Here are a few effective tips to kickstart your inspection:

1. Inspect The Slew Ring To See If There’s Any Damage or Not.

Do you know that replacing or repairing slew rings can be expensive? It’s essential to check whether the hydraulic excavator is damaged before making a purchase. This becomes important when you’re looking for a used excavator for sale as inadequate maintenance (due to overloading or insufficient lubrication) can result in slew ring failure before time.

While doing this inspection, ensure to:

• Go for a quarter turn to rotate the housing and look out for any movement or play.

2. Inspect The Boom, Bucket, and Stick.

The bearings and pins must be tight, specifically in the bucket connection points and the excavator stick. Check this carefully, as any movement, play, or looseness in the machine’s connectivity points can negatively impact its accuracy.

3. Examine The Excavator Carefully For Any Bends or Cracks.

Make sure you examine the excavator for any dents or cracks in the following parts:

• The Boom and Stick: See if there’s a crack in the connection points between the stick and the bucket and the boom and the stick. You may have to replace the boom or stick if there are any cracks.
• Undercarriage: If you find any damage or dents in the undercarriage, there can be two reasons behind it. It can neither be a manufacturing defect, nor the previous owner didn’t use it as recommended. Take this as a sign of internal damage, consider it a red flag, and make other considerations.

4. Check for Leaks.

Examine the machine’s hydraulic pump compartment to see if there’s a leak. To discover leaks, carefully check the lines, cylinders, and hoses of the compartment.

5. Inspect the Hours Metre.

To resolve your queries related to the hour’s metre reading, you’ll have to check the machine’s control pedals. If you notice excessive wear, it could imply the metre has been altered or broken. If you are not satisfied, talk to the seller and make sure you get what you pay for.

6. Check the Bucket Teeth for Scalloping.

You may have heard that excavators sometimes cannot ensure the desired cutting force. This happens due to scalloping. It’s a type of wear that takes place between the bucket teeth of the excavator.

Although it’s a natural wear-down process that happens over time, you must consider it while deciding on the best excavator machine for sale.

Final Words:

With this comprehensive guide, you have a ready-to-use inspection checklist for making the right purchasing decision. So, make sure you follow and check these tips before deciding on an excavator to get the best out of every dollar you spend.