Purchasing heavy-duty equipment like mini excavators can be a daunting task, whether brand new from a dealer or used from a reseller or auction. A new excavator might be the best option for some, with used or second hand being the preferred option for others. Continue reading for an in-depth guide to buying used excavators, including a 5 step inspection list to help you decide which used machine is right for you.
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4 Benefits of Buying a Used Excavator
1. Cost Savings
As you're probably aware, the biggest benefit of buying a used or second hand excavator is the lower upfront cost. For most businesses and individuals, the biggest restriction when buying machinery is the cost so purchasing a used excavator can be the best option for a more restricted budget. The lower upfront cost also gives you more options when it comes to purchasing additional buckets and attachments as the money you have saved on purchasing a new excavator can be invested back into the machine to improve your future projects.
2. Depreciation & Resale Value
Similarly to cars, excavators depreciate in value over time, with the biggest drop occurring within the first 1-2 years after purchase. Buying a used excavator avoids this meaning you're not losing large amounts of money. This price reduction means you will be able to invest in an excavator that is relatively new but doesn't have the hefty price tag of a brand new one. After the initial drop in value, an excavator will depreciate more slowly which means it's likely to retain a good proportion of its value if you come to resell it in the future (assuming that it has been maintained during ownership).
3. Proven Performance
You can check the track record of used excavators by researching the make and model and looking into reviews from existing owners. This information can provide insights into the machine's reliability and durability and help you determine whether it's going to be suitable for you. This is often not available for new excavators which can make investing a more dubious event.
4. Machine Variety & Availability
As new machine models are released, the selection and availability of used mini excavators and excavators in the market grows, giving you a larger selection of makes and models to choose from. It's also common for new models to have long delivery times compared to used excavators which are readily available at resellers and auction sites so if you're in urgent need, a used excavator might be the option for you.
3 Things to Consider When Buying a Used Excavator
When you're trying to determine what make and model of excavator you want to purchase, there are 3 main things to consider: Residual Value, Brand Reliability and Running & Maintenance Costs.
1. Residual Value
Residual value is how well the excavator holds its value over time. A machine that is cheap to purchase from new, will likely not hold its value meaning you will lose your money quicker. When purchasing machinery, you should consider the term 'you get what you pay for'. A brand with an initial cheaper price will likely face challenges down the line.
2. Brand Reliability
Brand reliability is how reliable the machine is known to be within the market. Some excavator makes are well known for their excellent performance. For example Kubota and Takeuchi are renowned for their reliability.
3. Running & Maintenance Costs
It's inevitable that at some point you will have to carry out maintenance and repairs on your excavator but how expensive these fixes will be will be determined by your machine make and model. For example the cost and availability of replacement parts can sometimes take longer and be more expensive to source, especially if the excavator is older or from an uncommon manufacturer.
5 Inspection Tips for Buying a Used Excavator
1. Machine Operating History
Year & Model - Make sure to check the important information about the excavator, including the year, make, model and serial number which can usually be located on the data plate. These details ensure that the information provided by the seller is accurate and will help you confirm that the excavator matches the description given.
Operating Hours - A 'good' level of hours can vary depending on the size and operations history of the excavator. A mini excavator that has done 3,000 hours may be considered 'tired', compared to a 20 ton / 40,000 lbs excavator with 3,000 hours depending on the work that the machine has been doing. If you're unsure about whether the hours are of a good level, we would recommend talking to a plant operator or someone with knowledge external to the seller for an unbiased opinion.
Service History - Make sure to ask for a clearly-documented service history, this will show if the excavator has been well maintained and regularly serviced. If the used machine doesn&#;t have a service history readily available, this could imply that there are underlying problems or that it hasn't been thoroughly looked after.
2. Inspecting the External Excavator Condition
General Machine Condition - the overall condition of the excavator will give a general indication of how well the machine has been looked after and its operation history. Check the state of the paintwork, decals, cleanliness, seat and dash condition. A clean and well looked after machine is often a good indication of proper maintenance and care.
Tires, Track & Undercarriage - Signs of dents, holes or oil residue can indicate improper care, misuse or internal damage. On a wheeled excavator, make sure the tires are in good condition, full of air and free of visible damage. Confirm with the seller how long the tyres have been in use to help determine if it's a good level of wear. For tracked excavators, make sure that the tracks have minimal wear or damage, that sprockets and idlers are in good condition and the track tension is firm.
3. Inspecting the Internal Excavator Condition
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Battery - Prior to starting up the excavator make sure to check the condition of the battery and the expiration date. Ensure all wires and terminals are free from corrosion, rust or unusual fluids - these could be an indication of a leak.
Oil / Oil Filler Cap - Prior to starting the engine, check the oil level and condition. The excavator engine relies on proper lubrication to function optimally, so low oil levels and a clogged filler cap indicates poor maintenance or leak issues. Relatively clear oil indicates the oil has been recently serviced; black oil indicates it's probably been poorly serviced or maintained; and milky or beige coloured oil indicates there is moisture in the oil which could be an indication of a leaking head gasket.
4. Testing the Excavator Performance
Start-up Condition - When starting up the excavator, make sure to take note of start up speed. If the excavator stalls or excessively turns over there could be an issue. Check for excessive smoke when revved - white, black or blue-grey indicates a potential engine issue. A small puff of black smoke when first started or revved is usually ok.
Hydraulic Checks - Check all hydraulic systems, including the cylinders, pumps, hoses and connectors for signs of wear or damage (cracks, bulges or leaks). A leak can be a sign of damage or degeneration - an expensive and time-consuming issue to fix. Once running, use the joysticks and pedals to move the rams in each direction. Ensure each ram is being used to its full extent and hold it - e.g. pull the dipper arm in as far as it will go and hold it - this will put the hydraulic pump under load. If you hear the engine reduce in revs this could indicate a fuel issue.
Slew Ring - A slew ring mounts between the excavator cab and the undercarriage and enables the cab of the excavator to continuously spin as necessary. To check the functionality of the excavator slew ring, fully rotate the cab in both directions. Slew at full speed, suddenly stop and see how much the machine travels afterwards, the further the cab moves after stopping the more worn the ring.
Additional Specifications - If you're purchasing an excavator that has additional features like air conditioning, heating or a radio, you should check that these function as required as they will have an influence on excavator value and purchase price.
Buckets, Attachments & Hitches - If the excavator is being sold with buckets, attachments or a quick hitch, ensure that these fit and operate as required. Be sure to check with the seller whether your quick coupler is a mix & match hitch. If it is, the pin dimensions of your buckets and attachments will not match the machine make and model so this will be something you need to bear in mind when purchasing additional equipment. Make sure to also check the wear on your buckets, attachments and hitches to ensure they're not close to failure as this will be an additional cost in the future to replace them.
5. Considerations of the Sale / Seller
Comparison to the Listing - As you carry out your inspection of the excavator make sure to compare it to the information provided on the sales listing. If there are any obvious inaccuracies or large damages or faults missed from the listing, make sure to question the seller as this can help you negotiate a better price or include any presale fixes.
Warranty and support - Ensure all documentation is included with the excavator, including any user manuals and manufacturer warranty information. If you're purchasing from a reseller or dealership, we would recommend asking about any warranty, return policies and after-sale support options in case you face any issues after purchase.
So, now you should know what to look for when buying a used excavator. Always take the time to carefully examine every aspect of the machine, from the interior and exterior condition to the battery, hydraulics and additional features. If you're in any doubt, don't hesitate to ask questions and seek advice from experts to ensure you're making the best decision for yourself or your company.
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If you&#;re going to make frequent use of an excavator, then purchasing one can be a more efficient use of money than renting one for each and every project. Excavators are both highly reliable and durable, but expensive pieces of equipment to buy new, so in a lot of cases purchasing them second hand makes more sense.
As with all second hand purchases of machines, however, you need to keep an eye out for tell-tale signs that the equipment will be more trouble than it&#;s worth. When inspecting a potential second hand excavator purchase, these are the key things to look out for.
This might sound like a no-brainer, but engines that create a lot of smoke are a concern; replacing or repairing an engine that far gone can cost more than buying a new excavator. It&#;s also important to test every function of the machine, and every speed, to see if at any point the stress on the excavator causes the engine to smoke up.
Excavators work in difficult, stressful conditions, therefore the integrity of the equipment is critical. Cracks or dents on any of the load-bearing elements of an excavator (such as the boom, stick or bucket) can be a sign that the overall machine&#;s structural integrity has been compromised, and this in turn can mean that the equipment will need replacing. Pay special attention to key connection point welds; those will often be the ones to show damage to the structure first.
Make sure you thoroughly inspect all cylinders, hoses, and lines for leaks, as well as the hydraulic pump. If there is a leak, it&#;s not necessarily a sign of a defective machine; hydraulics do wear down over time needing maintenance and replacement, and will continue to run fine afterwards. But if there is a leak it will need to be repaired sooner rather than later.
It&#;s critical that an excavator&#;s log hours are used properly, so be sure to check the hours meter before buying an excavator. Unfortunately, hour meters are not tamper proof, but if there&#;s any question about the validity of the meter, you can also check the control pedals. If there&#;s a high amount of wear on the pedals, chances are that the hours meter is either non-operational, or has been tampered with. If contact with the previous owner is an option then try and get as close to an exact idea of how often it was used, on what kind of projects, and how old it is.
As a safety priority, an excavator&#;s tracks (or tires if they have them) should be examined very closely. Signs that an excavator&#;s tracks may require replacement include:
It goes without saying that the price is an important factor, and if the second hand excavator&#;s price is being set too low, the chances are that there will be something very wrong with it. One thing that&#;s important to understand with regards to excavators is that, unlike cars, they tend to hold their value well. Prices can still vary wildly depending on the condition of the machine, how many hours it has been used for, and the attachments being sold with it, but as a rule of thumb, for a good quality excavator, expect to spend a greater percentage of the machine&#;s value when new than were you to buy a second hand car.
Older excavators face an additional challenge; if they break down, the parts required to repair them could no longer be available. Again to compare to cars &#; cars are produced in much greater quantities, and so the parts for cars are produced in much greater quantities, and it&#;s easier to source replacement parts for a longer period of time after a model of car stops being manufactured. For excavators, manufacturer support is that much more critical to research before purchasing a machine.
For all of these reasons, it&#;s important to purchase your used excavator from a reputable source. One that will allow you the freedom to complete a full test drive of the machine, and one that keeps impeccable logs of services and the like. If you&#;re having trouble, Solution Plant Hire is one such provider. We aim to sell equipment before it reaches the 2,000 hour mark, and given that excavator equipment can be expected to last between 7,000 and 10,000 hours before needing repair, buying a second hand excavator from us will give you many, many hours of work.
For more information on the excavators and other pieces of equipment that we currently have on sale,visit this page. Additionally, if you have any questions, or would like to arrange an inspection and test drive of your own, please don&#;t hesitate to contact our friendly team.
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