A Complete Guide for Buying an Excavator

Purchasing an excavator machine should be a careful thought. Buying a machine instead of renting will mean lower operating costs and longer-term investment in equipment.

A cab, an engine, an undercarriage and a boom (stick). That and a 10,000 hour maintenance log will be what I’ll checking when shopping for my excavator. I’ll also want to know what’s new in the world of excavation technology: movement (hydraulics); power. reducing emissions. It’s good to stay informed.

Know Your Needs

Knowing what you are looking for, such as size (midi- to full-size), power unit (diesel, lpg or electric), attachments (such as ripper and breaker) and cab features (such as air conditioning and enclosed design), should help you streamline your search and save time.

Brand reputation and reliability are important too. Seek out a reliable brand with healthy parts distribution for your area.

Check out the excavator’s tires, tracks and undercarriage to see if there are dents, holes, oil residue or any other signs of damage or wear.

Make sure they show you photos, or make sure the suppliers send you photo proof as to the condition of the equipment. You need to check suppliers thoroughly. Make sure that they can communicate well with you when you ask them questions, because in most Alibaba horror stories, it’s actually not the seller who is at fault, it’s the buyer. And that’s because the people who are selling things on Alibaba often don’t speak perfect English. They might also be afraid to admit that something is wrong because they don’t want to scare away the buyer.

Know Your Budget

It’s an expensive machinery and almost any construction company can’t afford to buy a brand-new excavator out right. If you are thinking to buy an excavator, don’t forget to explore for the option of leasing or financing.

Realise, however, that you need to factor in the extra fuel, insurance, maintenance, repair, storage and transportation costs, so don’t pay too much, or try a used excavator if you’re not comfortable with the price.

Therefore, if you are looking for a pre-owned excavator from a website offer, it is important that you ask for warranty and support details. This information is not always readily provided, likely due to the same cultural and communication barriers.

When examining an excavator, after comparing it with the sales listing, note any inaccuracies or large damage not reflected in the machine photographs. Verify that the buckets, attachments and hitch match the excavator’s make and model and are in good condition. Finally, request any original paperwork and service records the seller may have.

Know Your Options

Your gut is, therefore, the most important arbiter of your buy-or-fly app – which is why the ideal seller of an excavator is the one you in turn vet in detail; the one whose communication with you you will relish zooming in and out of as you put your technical questions to them; the one who shows you detailed images of forests platforms; the one with whom you can be absolutely certain his written word is his visual word.

Considerations of the specs of an excavator also enter into the equation. In the real world, a buyer may need to choose between a boom-and‑stick specification of a front-end-loader measured for breakout force, heavy-duty attachment or extreme reach.

It’s also worthwhile to know how many hours of service the excavator has had. Ask for the service history of the machine, to know the history of major repairs and repeating problems. Ask if the model has good manufacturer support with components available in your area. Should parts be not available, its performance in the future can be hampered.

Test Drive the Excavator

Make sure that you are getting the best deal by inspecting equipment beforehand. Get maintenance logs and see if the excavator has been maintained regularly or has a history of severe damage and major repairs. Has it had frequent oil changes?

Furthermore, focus on extra features that you can have with the excavator. An example is that some brands emphasise operator comfort through maximum cab visibility and fire suppression system features. Attachment compatibility and technology options are other key features to look out for.

Furthermore, the last checkpoint is to consider all costs associated with shipping as well as port fees; it is advisable to co-operate with freight forwarding companies that specialise in importing heavy machinery.