Buying a brand new excavator can be expensive, but buying a used excavator that's not fit for purpose can cost even more. If you're looking for a used excavator and have some lingering questions about making sure the excavator you find is the one you need. Well in this article we will share tips and tricks for buying a used excavator. Let’s take a closer look!
What size excavator should I buy?
The first filter most people apply when searching for a used excavator is by narrowing their search down to the size that best suits their job. Often, this is easier said than done, as most owners want to get the most out of the size and type of work their excavator is completing. A small excavator may struggle to keep up with other equipment on site, while a used heavy excavator may struggle to operate in tight situations or be inefficient on many jobs.
Determining the perfect size excavator for your job will come down to assessing the overall jobs you perform and matching your search to those jobs - but remember, your investment in the machine is expected to deliver a return on investment, so be sure to weigh that up Work that will appropriately increase your ROI. If a bigger or smaller machine brings more money, it should help guide your search.
What should I check for a used excavator?
Carefully inspect hydraulic systems and fluids
Excavators, more than many other pieces of construction equipment, rely on a well-functioning and well-maintained hydraulic system, so extra care should be taken to inspect the hydraulic system thoroughly. During the inspection, you'll want to carefully inspect the main hydraulic pump, all cylinders, and each final drive unit to look for leaks. While a simple leak may only mean a few minutes of maintenance, it can also be a sign of neglect or problems in the system.
You'll also want to check the overall hydraulic fluid (or even have it tested) to determine if there's an issue with the hydraulic system. Even simply rubbing the fluid with your fingers to see if there is grit or debris in the fluid can help you diagnose a system failure or lack of proper maintenance. Since a crawler excavator is powered by its final drive, it is also important to check the fluid in the final drive to see if the planetary gears or other components are starting to show signs of wear.
Check whether there is any gap or improper movement of the slewing bearing
There is a slewing ring at the connection between the excavator house and the vehicle body, which is conducive to the smooth and independent rotation of the house. This critical component is put into work every time the house is rotated and will eventually wear out and need to be replaced, which can be a larger repair. Understanding how slewing bearings work can help you better determine the price you should pay when you buy a machine.
To test a swivel ring, you should slowly rotate the house and watch for gaps, wobbles, or any other non-standard movement. You should also make sure the movement is smooth and even, and if possible, check the grease inside the ring for debris or grit, as this could indicate parts are worn due to friction inside the bearing.
Check cylinder, pins and bearings
Anywhere two parts come together to form a hinge or pivot point there is always an opportunity for increased friction, connection wear and part failure. The unique advantage of an excavator is that it can perform a variety of movements, but at each point many parts must work together smoothly to make that movement possible. When you inspect your machine, you should inspect these points (and even check them by their movement) for signs of malfunction, binding, misalignment, or jagged movement.
Since the movement of the bucket, stick, boom and other components is achieved by the hydraulic cylinder on the excavator, you should also check the hydraulic cylinder for leaks, check the chrome plating for pits or rust, and see if there are any obvious Bent or misaligned. . Replacing a cylinder isn't the most important job on your machine, but if it's needed, it's good to know ahead of time.
Inspect bucket, teeth and cutting edges
Although used excavator buckets often rust, you should ensure that severe wear on the teeth and cutting edges does not affect the efficiency of the excavator. You should also look for patches or welds that indicate the bucket has been repaired. While bucket repairs aren't necessarily a deal breaker, making sure they're done correctly and professionally can help you determine the remaining life of your bucket.
Check landing gear
Regardless of the condition of the machine, the undercarriage on an excavator is often the most expensive part to repair. However, by paying extra attention to the undercarriage, you can often get a better idea of the depth and cost of excavator maintenance. In addition to checking the overall condition of the track, you also want to make sure that the tension is applied correctly through the tensioner and track springs, and that the idlers and rollers are not excessively worn or out of alignment.
Check final drive
The tracks on an excavator are powered by two final drives, and although these drives are designed to withstand long-term, high-intensity work, the gears inside each drive will wear out over time. While you probably won't open them to see the condition of the gears, you can still check the fluid for signs of contamination and put them to work to make sure they're helping the machine run smoothly without jerks or delays in machine movement.
Check the cab
The cab on a used excavator is often an afterthought in a search, but a cab with faulty safety equipment, worn controls, or other issues can cause operator safety and comfort issues. Adding an excavator to the team should be welcomed warmly by operators, and a fault in the cab may impact their experience of operating the machine. Taking the time to identify cab issues and plan repairs in advance can ease your new machine into your lineup and ensure it's ready for use the day it arrives on the job site.
Determine machine popularity and replacement parts availability
Hopefully the machine you find will run in top condition for the longest time, but every part will eventually wear out, and when it does, you'll need to replace it. In your search, identifying parts that typically require replacement or rebuilding and determining whether they are available can help avoid future supply difficulties.
The ability to find replacement parts will always improve as your machine ages, but making sure your machine comes from a popular excavator manufacturer can help you avoid a lengthy search and/or high costs.
Hopefully, with these simple inspection tips, you'll be one step closer to finding the perfect used excavator that will provide long, worry-free service.
If you are indeed looking for a used heavy excavator, we are here to help. Tengze is a well-known used construction machinery supplier in China with 20 years of rich industry experience. We have established long-term and friendly trade relationships with customers in many countries.