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There are a couple of things to look out for when buying used machinery. This is especially true for used excavators, on which damage can be hard to spot. Buying used heavy machinery is a good way to get started on any project in or around the house when you want to save on the cost of hiring a construction crew or renting gear. Here’s why you should buy a used excavator instead and what to look out for.
Why you should buy a used excavator
Perhaps you’re renovating your home, or maybe you just purchased a promising plot of land and are planning on building something nice: an excavator is definitely a must-have to dig deep into the ground with minimal effort or move large quantities of dirt within a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, an excavator makes it easier to move debris and rubble around and gets it done at a much faster rate than if you were to do it without any machinery at all.
Besides, buying a used excavator is relatively cheap, and it’s easy too! You can go about it two ways. Either you buy one directly from the manufacturer, who sometimes has leftover or returned machinery for sale, or you go to a special supplier or reseller. Wherever you go, the first step we recommend is to decide on what you want to do with the machinery. Also determine your budget. To do so, do some research on which features you’ll be needing and how much it’ll cost you for a new model. This way you effectively narrow down your options without even looking at any equipment.
How to spot potential damage
As with any large purchase, you’ll want to consider a couple of important factors when buying heavy machinery. And while it’s certainly true that you can cut costs by buying used machinery, the total cost can also turn out to be far more expensive compared to simply buying a new model. That’s because heavy machinery damages and breaks down easily when used incorrectly. Because used excavators are a bit of a niche market, we’ll give you a quick rundown on how to spot the most common defects and signs of misuse so that you can make a well informed purchase.
Common damage to look out for
The most common issues arise with the bucket. Look for signs of excessive wear or, possibly, a visible tear. The bucket says a lot about how the machinery was treated by its previous owner. So if the bucket is bent or there are a lot of tears on the teeth, this may certainly be cause for concern. Do remember that visible damage is reasonable to a certain degree. It simply shows you how intensively the machinery has been used in the past and it doesn’t mean the bucket has to be replaced immediately.
Another common place for damage is the undercarriage, as it carries the entire weight of the vehicle. Replace the undercarriage immediately if it has cracks, as it can be a danger to the operator and others in the vicinity when operated.
Lastly, a well oiled machine operates smoothly. Listen for any internal and external noises such as rattling or grinding. Such noises indicate that parts may have broken off or something has gotten stuck inside the machine
Get a good deal buying a used excavator
Want to be sure you’ll get a good deal? The place to be is a proper dealer in used machinery. If a dealer has more than one used excavator for sale, that’s usually a good sign, meaning they only sell proper gear that’s been put to good use and has been inspected by knowledgeable people. Oftentimes they’ll have already replaced damaged parts, or they’ll inform you of any possible faults they may have come across.
