Before buying a new excavator, it is important to do your homework in advance so that you can make an informed purchase decision. Here are a few questions to ask yourself and a checklist to use when checking your excavator for damage or excessive wear.
1. What will you need the machine for?
Excavators come in three sizes (0-7 tons), standard (7-44 tons) and large (45-80 tons). Please find out the specifications for the job before contacting the seller, as this will help you determine the size of the machine you need. You also need to consider in advance whether you will need any supporting accessories, such as fast couplers, splitters, and hammers.
2. Do you have a trailer?
In addition to ensuring that you have a trailer equipped with a transport excavator, you also need to ensure that your driver is properly certified and that your trailer can successfully travel to and from your site. For example, some roads and Bridges may not allow large loads. What's more, these are all extras that you need to consider when setting your purchase budget.
3. Do you trust the dealer?
It is wise to establish a long-term relationship with a dealer, especially if you foresee buying, leasing or repairing any construction equipment in the future. It is important that the heavy equipment company you choose is not only knowledgeable, but also reliable and ethical.
6 Things to Check Before You Buy:
In a perfect world, you wouldn't need to do an equipment inspection at all and would be able to make purchases out of sight. But in the real world, even the most reputable and honest sellers of construction equipment sometimes make mistakes and overlook major failures. Whether you are buying a new excavator or one with many years of timed running time, it is vital to conduct a thorough and careful inspection before signing the purchase agreement.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Check the slew ring for damage
Slewing bearings are one of the most expensive items to replace or repair, so it is important to ensure that there is no damage to the slewing bearings in hydraulic excavators before signing the purchase documents. This is especially important if you are buying a used excavator, as poor maintenance of the machine (e.g. inadequate lubrication or overload) can lead to early failure of the rotary ring.
During the inspection, please ensure that:
- Rotate the housing a quarter turn and check for any gaps or movement.
2. Check for loose connections in the boom, stick and bucket
The pin and bearing should be tightened, especially at the connection point of the excavator bucket rod and bucket. It is important to check this, as any loosening, clearance or movement of the excavator connection points can affect the accuracy of the machine.
3. Inspect for cracks and bends
Check the excavator for any cracks or dents, especially in the following areas:
Boom and bucket rod - Check for cracks in weld joints between boom and bucket rod and bucket rod. If you notice any cracks, please be aware that this may indicate the need to replace the boom or bucket rod.
Landing gear - Look out for any dents or damage to the excavator landing gear as this may mean the machine is not being used as recommended. The operator could have been careless, or the machine could have had an accident. Either way, it could be a sign of internal damage.
4. Look for leaks
Check hydraulic pump chamber for leakage. This should include checking hoses, cylinders and lines.
5. Double check the hours meter
If you have any questions about the meter reading, check the control pedal. If you notice excessive wear, this could mean the meter is broken or has been changed, and the machine is recording longer than the meter shows.
6. Examine the bucket teeth for scalloping
The fan (the wear between the bucket teeth, in a half moon shape) indicates that the excavator's cutting force is reduced. While this usually happens over time and does not necessarily mean that the bucket needs to be replaced, it needs to be considered when assessing the overall value of the machine.
