When you’re thinking about buying heavy equipment—specifically used excavators— it seems like everybody’s looking at China. They’re doing it because the prices are competitive, and there are a lot of different brands to choose from, but here’s the question. Is it worth buying a used excavator from China? We’re going to look at the pros, the cons, and everything in between to help you make a good decision.
Yes, buying excavadoras usadas from China can be worth it due to lower prices, diverse brand choices, and a well-established export market. However, it requires careful supplier vetting, third-party inspections, and attention to logistics to avoid potential risks such as delayed shipments or subpar quality.
Below I’ve broken down the essential things you need to think about when considering buying a used excavator from China.
What are the benefits of buying excavadoras usadas de China?
The number one benefit to buying a used excavator (or any used construction equipment) is the price. Let’s face it; people do it. And when you look at where people are buying used construction equipment, they’re looking at China. Why? It’s cheap, you can get all the different brands (CAT, Komatsu, Sany, etc.), and there’s a well-established system for getting these things out of the country and into your yard, wherever your yard happens to be.
China has been a powerhouse in global heavy machinery for a long time. That means you have access to all the different kinds of used excavators you could possibly want, and generally for a fraction of the cost you’d find elsewhere. Big brands like Caterpillar (CAT), Komatsu, Sany, and others dominate the heavy machinery market in China. Because of that dominance, it’s easy to find quality used equipment at great prices.
When it comes to price, suppliers from China almost always beat everybody else, hands-down. Those lower prices mean you’re able to save money that you can spend on other important things in your business like expanding your fleet or taking care of routine maintenance. Also, because China’s export infrastructure is so well developed, buying, police, and getting your equipment where it needs to be can often be a pretty smooth process, all things considered.
Are used Chinese excavators reliable?
Reliability is always a concern. Are these things going to blow up on me when I get them?
Yes, you can get reliable excavadoras usadas from China. The key is to buy them from a reputable dealer, make sure they’re inspected before they leave the yard, and ask for maintenance records. If you can get those things, you’ll be in good shape.
The reliability of used excavators comes down to how well the machine was taken care of, the reputation of the company you’re buying from, and what kind of certifications the equipment carries. Most reputable suppliers will be able to provide you with a complete history of the machine, including all maintenance and repair records. This can be a great indicator of how well the machine’s been taken care of, and whether or not anything major is going to need attention soon.
To make sure you get a good and reliable machine, it’s a great idea to have a third-party inspection set up before you buy it. These are going to check things like the engine, the hydraulics, the undercarriage—pretty much everything. These professionals are going to give you peace of mind knowing that the machine you’re about to buy is safe and going to work for you.
What are the risks of buying used excavators from China?
Words of Caution Look, buying a excavadora usada from China has its pros and cons. Yes, you can save money. But then again, you can end up with a piece of equipment that’s not worth anything in the long run. Is it worth the risk? You have to weigh that for yourself. But here’s the deal—do your homework before you buy anything. Don’t let the tantalizingly low price pull you in without doing your due diligence. Always make sure you’re buying from a reputable supplier and that you understand every single detail before you transfer your hard-earned cash.
Another risk is the potential for communication issues. You’ve got to understand that every fire is great until you realize you can’t talk to the person you’re buying from!!! When you’re buying used heavy equipment from a Chinese supplier, you need to make sure you can communicate properly. I’ll tell you right now, nobody wants to get into a miscommunication about the equipment you’re buying, your shipment, and how you pay for it. That’s not a good thing, right? Another point of exposure involves logistics and shipping. Let me tell you, getting things in and out of China (especially big, heavy pieces of equipment like a used excavator) is no small feat. If stuff isn’t handled correctly on that end, you’re going to sit and wait a long time while your stuff sits on a ship, in a port, or in customs waiting to clear. If you’re trying to get these machines to a job, lost time equals lost money—big time.
Finally, you have to remember that every machine is not created equal. Just like buying a used car, some people will have taken great care of the machines they have for sale. Others won’t have cared for them so well. It’s up to you to do your homework before you buy. There are two pointers here. First, everywhere you buy anything, you need to make sure you check out the person you’re buying from. Do your research and check for the negative comments from previous buyers. For the best results, work with someone who’s got a little bit of time and a good track record behind them.
How to ensure quality when purchasing used excavators from China?
The single most important thing you can do before you go spend your money on one of these pieces of equipment is to make sure it’s worth your hard-earned cash. Here’s how you do that:
1. Hire a third-party to come in and look at the machine before you buy it.
2. You need to get your hands on the maintenance records. And I don’t mean the maintenance records that they whipped up in the Print Shop up the road from the dealer. I’m talking about the legit, real-deal maintenance records.
3. Verify anything and everything you can to make sure you’re getting what you’re supposed to be getting.
4. Ask about certifications. And finally, make sure you’re working with someone you can trust. Don’t skip any of the steps I just outlined. Any or all of these steps will save you from a major headache after the fact. And they’ll help make sure you get what you pay for every single time. Don’t skimp on due diligence, no matter what.
Begin by asking the vendor for maintenance records. This information will give you a look into the machine’s history. You want to know things like how often it was serviced and whether or not any big repairs were made at some point in its life. If the vendor won’t give you this information, then that’s a gigantic red flag.
Secondly, arrange to have an outside, third-party inspection. There are companies all over China that specialize in inspecting used heavy equipment that’s going to be exported. These companies can give you an absolutely legit, one-hundred-percent accurate report on the machine’s condition. They can tell you what’s going to need to be replaced now, soon, and what’s in good shape. Get one of these inspections, and you’ll be able to buy with confidence.
Last, check into what kind of certifications the machine carries. If the machine has been refurbished by the seller, ask for paperwork that says it meets whatever standards you’re looking for (that you need for your industry or your country). Look for suppliers with recognized certifications such as ISO standards. Who meets those standards? Who stayed up all night sweating the paperwork to get those certifications? Those are the people you want to work with.
What is the typical cost of a excavadora usada in China?
Price is always a big factor in making a decision, and it’s no different when you’re talking about buying second-hand construction equipment. So, let’s talk about the price you’d expect to pay for a excavadora usada in China. The truth is that it’s hard to say what a used excavator is going to cost because prices differ significantly based on the make, model, hours, and age of the machine. Under normal circumstances, you’ll likely pay somewhere between 30,000and30,000and80,000 for most machines.
Several factors influence the price of a used excavator, including:
Marca
Top brands like Caterpillar (CAT), Komatsu, and Sany will be on the higher side of that range because they’re known for being well-built, reliable machines. For instance, a CAT 320D excavator is going to set you back probably $50,000 or more, depending on the condition and the hours on it.
Machine Age
As with any used equipment, the age of the machine is going to play a big role in determining that price. A newer machine, like something that’s less than five years old, is going to set you back more money, but it might be worth it in terms of reliability and a longer overall lifespan.
Operating Hours
The more hours a machine has on it, the less it’s worth. A machine that has fewer hours is worth more because it’s got less wear and tear on it.
Refurbishment
Some of these machines are going to be refurbished before you buy them. If you buy a refurbished machine, you’re going to pay more for it, but it’s going to come with a warranty and it’s going to be in better shape. But you’re definitely going to pay more money for a machine like that than you would if you just bought one that was hot from the job site.
Are there additional costs to consider when buying used excavators from China?
You also have to worry about the other costs. That’s all you’re going to pay to get the machine to your yard or your jobsite. Don’t forget that you’re going to have to pay import taxes and, in some cases, insurance just to get it where it needs to be. Don’t forget about reconditioning costs, either. Especially if it’s coming from that far away.
Shipping Costs
Transportation costs from China to your worksite or your yard can be expensive. And how expensive it’s likely going to be is going to depend on how heavy and big the machine is and how it’s going to get there. Most people can save money by taking advantage of sea freight over air freight, but you know that’s going to take more time.
Import Duties
You also have to remember you’re going to have import taxes to pay to get what you need. These taxes and fees depend on where you live and where the machine’s coming from. They can add up to quite a bit of expense when it’s all said and done. Make sure you look into what you’re going to have to spend there and budget for it ahead of time.
Insurance
Don’t forget to buy insurance for your piece of equipment when you ship it. That way if something happens to it in transit, you’re covered. Peace of mind is worth the money.
Reconditioning or Repairs
Finally, don’t forget to budget for your reconditioning and repairs when the machine arrives. Just because somebody told you that machine’s in great shape, it doesn’t mean that it’s up to your standards. You want to make sure that machine is reliable and that you’re going to be able to depend on it when it arrives.
Resumen
If you do it the right way, you can save some serious money and get a great piece of equipment from just about anywhere. Just be cautious. Do your homework on who you’re buying from. Pay for that third-party inspection before it leaves the yard. Make sure you’re asking the right questions and getting the answers you need. It’s never going to be so easy that you can just show up, transfer a little bit of money, and drive away in your shiny, excavadora usada. Take your time. Do it the right way.
