Are you worried about potential hidden issues when buying a used excavator?Without thorough inspection, you may end up with high maintenance costs, unexpected breakdowns, and significant delays in your projects.By understanding the key inspection points, reviewing maintenance records, and testing the machine thoroughly, you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure you’re making a smart investment.
When purchasing a used CAT excavator, it’s essential to evaluate the engine, hydraulic system, undercarriage, and documentation, and conduct a test run to ensure the machine is in top condition and suitable for your needs.
Let’s dive into the most important factors to examine before making your purchase.
What Should You Inspect in the Engine of a Used CAT Excavator?
Another key area to check is the engine. The engine is the heart of the beast, where the power comes from. The condition of the engine will affect how the machine performs. Listen for any knocking or rattling noises, which could indicate damage in the engine, a piston, or rod. Look at the exhaust. Is it blowing black or white smoke? Black smoke usually indicates fuel problems with the engine, while white smoke is usually an oil issue. Look for oil leaks around the engine block and fuel injectors while the engine is running. If you have access to the service records, see if the owner has done regular oil changes with the correct oil, replaced the filters on time, and had the engine completely serviced or tuned up when it was supposed to have been. The engine is the most expensive part on the machine to replace, and if it’s been well maintained, it can last a long time and keep you from experiencing an expensive motor replacement and the downtime that comes with it.
How to Check the Hydraulic System in a Used CAT Excavator?
The third area I like to check is the hydraulic system. The hydraulics are what power the movement of the boom, stick, and bucket, so any problems here can affect how well your machine performs. First, take a look at all the hydraulic hoses on the machine. They could be rubber, or a wrap around the outside of the hose. Look for any signs of cracks, fatigue, rubber starting to dry out and flake off, or any leaks. Check the hydraulic fluid level and look at the quality of the fluid. Clean fluid is usually an indicator of good maintenance. Dirty, burnt, or low fluid denotes lackadaisical maintenance. Start the machine up, get the air out of the system, and then operate the sticks, boom, and bucket. Note whether the machine is slow to respond or seems to groan when you ask it to move. The problem could be a bad hydraulic pump, valves, or a poor hydraulic system. Your machine can’t perform properly without an efficient hydraulic system.
Is the Undercarriage Condition Important in a Used Excavator?
Yes, the undercarriage of a used excavator is important to inspect because it is a big component that can literally last forever, or it could be completely worn out. The tracks, rollers, and sprockets determine how much life the machine has left. Inspection means you need to look at the tracks and see if they are worn down. Are there any links missing? Are there any broken or bent? Drive sprockets and carrier rollers wear out over time. Look at those and see if they are completely worn, indicating a lot of use. Are the rollers bent, crushed, or damaged? Do the tracks have a smooth, consistent wear pattern? With less expensive machines, it is common to see tracks wear out completely because of poor lubrication or poor maintenance in general. Should the tracks wear unevenly, it could be from the track not being tensioned correctly. It could also be an alignment issue, which puts more track on one side than the other.
An incorrectly tensioned track will put the rubber or steel track at an excessive angle and elongate the track or roller bearing hole. When looking at the undercarriage, I’m looking for an excellent, straight, well-maintained machine. You are halfway to purchasing a quality used excavator if the undercarriage looks great. If the undercarriage looks rough, then you might as well hang up the phone or put the wallet away, because you don’t want to deal with fixing an undercarriage from Finland (true story). Also, don’t try to use any used tractor excavator as a dozer. A hired dozer for $300 a day is a lot cheaper than replacing tracks and rollers (personal experience). And that is not a concern or expense you want to have with your used excavator.
Should You Inspect the Cab and Controls Before Purchasing?
The next part of my four-point inspection is testing the comfort and responsiveness of the controls on the machine. Make sure you are in the cab for this inspection. Sit in the seat and make sure it’s in good shape. Test different functions and features of the driving controls. Again, if it has joysticks, track wheels, pedals, and switches, make sure everything is functioning correctly and moves smoothly. Look at the console and make sure all the indicators, lights, gauges, and electronics work properly for the operator. Poorly functioning controls will drive the operator crazy and will ultimately slow down the work. Too many used machines come onto the market with a sloppy joystick, crappy worn-out pedals, or switches worn out on the control panel. Make sure everything works properly. Test the air conditioner and heater. The operator needs to stay comfortable. The cab should be a place they feel good in because they will spend long hours inside that cab. If the heater or air conditioning system is broken, the experience is not going to be good, especially if they are sweating, freezing, or still overheating because the cab doors won’t shut properly!
Why is a Test Run Crucial When Buying a Used CAT Excavator?
Ultimately, the last test is an actual test run; it is the only real way to see if an excavator works properly. Start the machine and let it warm up. Listen for any unusual sounds coming from the engine or the hydraulics. Operate the sticks, boom, and the bucket—push some dirt to see if the machine rocks or if the machine is slug
gish moving from point A to point B? These could be indications that the hydraulic pump is getting weak or the valves are bad. As the machine moves forward or backward, it should be very smooth. You shouldn’t have any vibration. The machine should track straight back and drive like a Cadillac. If there are vibrations, the tracks could be out of alignment; the tracks could be in poor condition, or the undercarriage is just worn out and needs to be replaced. Finally, it is your call because you have been instructed on how to inspect a used excavator. At this point, it either works and meets your checklist, or it doesn’t.
How to Negotiate a Fair Price for a Used CAT Excavator?
During the negotiation, use the hours on the machine and the condition to justify the price you want to offer. A machine with more conductive hours will demand a higher price. However, if a machine has been well maintained during its lifetime, it may still be a great machine for a cheaper price. Also, consider additional maintenance, repair, or update costs you might incur to get this used excavator up to snuff. Insist that the seller accepts less money for their machine because of extra costs you will have to sink into the machine. Anyone can pitch a lowball offer for a used tractor excavator, but it is easier to push through and make the deal if you hand the seller a written list of everything they will have to replace, repair, or rebuild, and then make them an offer. Keep your emotions in check during negotiations. Don’t buy this particular used tractor excavator if the economics do not work in your favor. However, if you present a well-ordered list and price justification, the owner may sell the used excavator to you
Summary:
By carefully inspecting the key components and testing the machine, you can make an informed decision and purchase a reliable used CAT excavator that fits your budget and project needs.
