In the fields of construction, engineering, and mining, excavators are indispensable important equipment. However, the high price of brand-new excavators often makes many enterprises and individuals hesitant. At this time, used excavators become a very attractive choice. This article will provide you with a detailed used excavator buying guide to help you find a cost-effective and reliable used excavator among many options.

I. Determine Your Needs of Used Excavator

Before purchasing a used excavator, first clarify your needs. Consider the following aspects:

1. Type and scale of excavation work: Different excavation tasks require different types and sizes of excavators. For example, small projects may only need a small excavator, while large mines require large, high-performance excavators. Determine the type and scale of your excavation work to choose the appropriate used excavator.
2. Working site conditions: Factors such as the terrain, soil type, and space limitations of the working site will also affect the choice of excavators. If the working site has complex terrain, a crawler excavator may be needed for better stability and passability. If the working site has limited space, a small excavator or wheeled excavator may be needed for more flexible operation.

II. Set a Budget

When buying a used excavator, budget is an important consideration. Here are some suggestions for setting a budget:

1. Consider the purchase price, transportation costs, and potential repair costs: The price of a used excavator is usually much lower than that of a brand-new one, but you also need to consider transportation costs and potential repair costs. Transportation costs may vary depending on the distance and transportation method, and repair costs depend on the condition of the excavator and the degree of repair required. When setting a budget, fully consider these factors to ensure that you have enough funds to purchase and maintain the used excavator.
2. Reserve some funds for possible repairs and maintenance: Even if the used excavator you buy looks in good condition, there may be some problems during use that require repair and maintenance. Reserving some funds can help you deal with these unexpected situations and ensure the normal operation of the excavator.

III. Research the Market

Before purchasing a used excavator, understanding the market situation is very important. Here are some ways to research the market:

1. Understand the market prices and performance characteristics of different brands and models of used excavators: Different brands and models of excavators may vary in performance, reliability, and price. By understanding the market prices and performance characteristics, you can better compare different used excavators and choose the model that best suits your needs.
2. Pay attention to the supply situation of used excavators: The supply situation of used excavators may vary depending on regions, time, and market demand. You can understand the supply situation of used excavators through channels such as online markets, auctions, and dealers to find the right machine in time.

IV. Find a Reliable Supplier

Finding a reliable used excavator supplier is the key to ensuring that you buy a high-quality machine. Here are some suggestions for finding a reliable supplier:

1. Choose a used excavator supplier with a good reputation and rich experience: Suppliers with a good reputation and rich experience usually provide better service and quality assurance. You can understand their reputation and experience by checking their websites, customer evaluations, and recommendations.
2. Check customer evaluations and recommendations of the supplier: Customer evaluations and recommendations are an important way to understand the service quality and after-sales support of the supplier. You can search for customer evaluations and recommendations of the supplier on the Internet or ask other users about their purchase experience.

V. Inspect the Used Excavator

Before purchasing a used excavator, be sure to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the machine. Here are some items that need to be inspected:

1. Chassis part
   • Sprockets, rollers, and idlers: Check whether these parts are excessively worn, cracked, or damaged. Ensure that their surfaces are smooth and operate normally.
   • Tracks and pads: Check the wear condition of the tracks and ensure that the pads are firmly attached. If the tracks are severely worn or the pads are loose, replacement may be required, which will increase the repair cost.
   • Abnormal noise: Operate the excavator to walk and listen for abnormal noise. Abnormal noise may indicate a problem with the chassis components and requires further inspection.
2. Engine part
   • Exhaust smoke: Start the machine and observe whether there is excessive smoke in the exhaust. Blue smoke may indicate oil burning, and black smoke may indicate incomplete combustion.
   • Leakage situation: Check whether there is obvious leakage of engine oil, coolant, and fuel. Leakage may be a sign of aging or damage of seals.
   • Blow-by phenomenon: Open the oil compartment and check for blow-by phenomenon. If a large amount of oil or air is ejected, it means there is a problem with the engine and professional repair is required.
3. Final drive part
   • Oil plug inspection: Use an Allen wrench to open the oil plug of the final drive and check for metal debris or oil. Metal debris may indicate severe wear of the internal components of the final drive and requires repair or replacement.
   • Oil condition: If there is no oil, it may be due to damaged seals or leakage and needs to be dealt with in time.
4. Slewing motor part
   • Oil level and color: Check the slewing motor located in the center and check whether the oil level is normal. If the oil level is too low, it may be caused by leakage or other problems. Check whether the oil turns white. White oil may indicate that water has entered the slewing motor, which will cause rust and damage to the components and needs to be dealt with in time.
   • Sealing condition: Ensure that the slewing motor is well sealed and there is no water or other impurities entering. You can judge by observing the condition of the seals and checking for leakage around.
5. Rotation motor part
   • Location and inspection method: The rotation motor is located at the bottom and is easily mistaken for the slewing motor. When inspecting, you can open the bottom cover and observe whether there is hydraulic oil flowing out. If there is hydraulic oil flowing out, it means that the rotation motor seal is damaged and there is internal leakage and needs repair.
   • Hydraulic oil and water outflow situation: If there is water flowing out, it may be a sealing problem around and can be replaced or sealed.
6. Hydraulic system
   • Pressure and flow: Check whether the pressure and flow of the hydraulic system are normal. You can feel the performance of the hydraulic system by operating various actions of the excavator.
   • Pipeline and joint leakage: Check whether there is leakage in the hydraulic pipelines and joints. Leakage may cause the pressure of the hydraulic system to drop and affect the performance of the excavator.
   • Hydraulic oil color and cleanliness: Observe the color and cleanliness of the hydraulic oil. If the hydraulic oil turns black or has impurities, it may be necessary to replace the hydraulic oil and filter.
7. Radiator
   • Leakage and blockage: Check whether the radiator has leakage or blockage. Leakage will cause coolant loss and affect the cooling effect of the engine; blockage will cause the engine to overheat and reduce performance.
   • Fan operation: Observe the operation of the radiator fan. The fan should operate normally to ensure the cooling effect of the engine.

VI. Precautions When Buying a Used Excavator

1. Request detailed equipment history records
   • Usage, repair records, and maintenance conditions: Understanding the usage, repair records, and maintenance conditions of the excavator can help you evaluate the reliability and potential repair costs of the equipment. If the equipment has frequent repair records or improper maintenance, you may need to consider purchasing carefully.
   • History of major accidents or damages: Ask if there is a history of major accidents or serious damages. If the equipment has had a major accident or serious damage, it may affect the performance and value of the equipment.
2. Take a test drive
   • Feel the operating performance, comfort, and stability: Before purchasing a used excavator, take a test drive as much as possible. A test drive can let you feel the operating performance, comfort, and stability of the excavator. Pay attention to whether the operation is smooth, whether the seat is comfortable, and whether the machine is stable.
   • Observe the performance under different working conditions: Pay attention to observing the performance of the excavator under different working conditions, such as excavation, loading, and walking. Check the performance of the machine under different loads and on different terrains.
3. Check the legality of the equipment
   • Ownership certificate and related documents: Ensure that the used excavator has a legal ownership certificate and related documents. This can avoid purchasing stolen or illegal equipment. Check whether the documents are complete, including purchase invoices, driving licenses, registration certificates, etc.
   • Emission standards: Check whether the emission standards of the equipment meet the local regulatory requirements. If the emission standards of the equipment do not meet the requirements, it may face fines or be unable to be used.
4. Seek professional advice
   • Opinions of mechanics or engineers: If you are uncertain about the inspection and evaluation of the used excavator, you can seek the opinions of professional mechanics or engineers. They can provide more professional evaluations and suggestions to help you determine the condition and value of the equipment.
   • Third-party inspection institutions: Consider hiring a third-party inspection institution to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the used excavator. Third-party inspection institutions can provide objective and professional inspection reports to help you make a more informed purchase decision.

VII. Conclusion

Buying a used excavator requires careful consideration and thorough inspection. By clarifying your needs, setting a budget, researching the market, finding a reliable supplier, and conducting a comprehensive inspection of the used excavator, you can increase the chance of finding a cost-effective and reliable used excavator. During the purchase process, pay attention to requesting detailed equipment history records, taking a test drive, checking the legality of the equipment, and seeking professional advice. I hope this used excavator buying guide is helpful to you.

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