Buying a Used Excavator: Tips & Inspection Guide

Purchasing heavy-duty equipment like mini diggers and 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 diggers 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 digger 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 for your digger 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 diggers 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 diggers which are readily available at resellers and auction sites so if you're in urgent need of a digger, 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 mini digger or 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 digger that has done 3,000 hours may be considered 'tired', compared to a 20 ton 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 digger 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

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 digger 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.

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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.

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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.

Learn more with Rhinox:

Excavator rake bucket is an essential equipment in any construction site. Unlike a bulldozer, you can use an excavator rake to perform precise tasks such as grading and leveling. The versatility of this machine makes it one of the most commonly used components among contractors, and we believe that no construction site should be without a machine in hand.

Before buying, there are some questions you should answer: Which type is best for your needs? What size do I need? How much am I willing to pay? If you are looking for more information on these topics, or just want to learn more about excavator rakers in general before buying, please read our full guide below!

What are Excavator Rakes?

An excavator rake is used to loosen and remove topsoil, gravel, or other material from the ground.They can be installed in front of a digger or tractor.

Rakes can have sharpened steel teeth (cantilevered) for cutting roots and rocks, or rubber fingers for loosening hard dirt without breaking clods. The tool is very similar to a trench digger, using a continuous rotating blade instead of multiple teeth.

Another common use of excavator harrows is in large-scale grading, where harrows and other equipment are used to move and level large amounts of land. Raking has several advantages over traditional grading methods such as backhoe or bulldozer. For example, the process is relatively quiet, dust-free and causes minimal disruption to traffic flow or pedestrians.

Why Use an Excavator Rake?

The best thing about using a digger rake is that you can manipulate it easily. Rakes can move in any direction, making them ideal for landscaping and general grading. They are good at removing loose dirt from roads or other hard surfaces without damaging underlying structures such as asphalt and concrete. The raised teeth also aerate the soil, making it easier for plants to grow.

In addition, the flexibility of the excavator rake means that grading can be done in places where it was previously impossible. Instead of having to raze an entire area where you want to work, this saves money and time and reduces waste caused by leftover soil.

Types of excavator rakes available

There are many types of excavator rake available for purchase. Some rakes may be a better fit for your site than others, so it's important to understand the function of each rake before deciding which one to buy.

• Dozer Rake - The teeth of bulldozer rakers are very large and sharp, so you can use them to level dirt on hard drives. These are ideal for cement or gravel driveways, foundations, and other places where surface materials need leveling.
• Land grading rake - This harrow features a set of teeth that can handle medium sized rocks while still at a reasonable price point. The barges in front of the rake are used to precisely level and level off dirt. This type of rake works well around subdivisions or on road dividers.
• Rake with Multiple Teeth - These harrows have longer teeth than flat harrows. Thus, during the leveling process, the teeth can handle larger rocks while still leaving the soil undisturbed. You should use this rake for zoning, street, and parking layout and design.
• Ditch Cleaning Rake – The teeth of the ditch cleaning rake is very sharp and angled to slice through hardpan material like it’s butter. You can use them to clean out drainage ditches.
• Box Scraper Rake - This rake is used to scrape away large areas of dirt and gravel. They are often equipped with multiple blades or shovels at the end to level large areas of land faster than bulldozer rakes.
• Blade Scraper Rakes - These rakers feature a set of rotating blades that you can use to remove asphalt, hard disk dirt, and even some types of concrete. They can be installed in front and back of excavators or tractors to improve efficiency when working on flat surfaces. These are often used on construction sites with paving companies.

Safety Precautions when Using an Excavator Rake

Since excavator harrows are more aggressive than traditional grading equipment, they should be used with care.

• Do not try to dig through soil that is too wet or hard, as this can damage the teeth of the rake and prevent it from working properly. Always check your manufacturer's specifications to determine the recommended material limits so you can avoid replacing a rake before it's time.
• Be careful when handling manure, wood chips or other organic materials. In this case, the rake is likely to become clogged very quickly. If necessary, use vegetable lubricant to keep things running smoothly.
• Check your hydraulic hoses to make sure they are adequately safe at all times. If they come loose, the power of the engine will be channelled into your hydraulic machinery, potentially causing serious damage to other components such as cylinders and pumps.
• If you want to use a bulldozer rake modified on a backhoe truck, make sure it is safe to install proper supports to avoid it flying out of the back end and running into something.

Final Thoughts

Excavator rakes are a good choice if you need to level off large areas of dirt, but don't want to spend money on more expensive equipment. They are also helpful when working with small excavators that cannot carry heavy machinery.

As long as you exercise carefully, from long to short, and avoid working in wet environments or on too hard land, you should be able to use your excavator rake for years without any problems.

Get in touch with a reliable excavator rake manufacturer today to learn more. They can advise you on what type of rake is best for your application and help you decide whether a refurbished or new rake is a better choice.

Bonovo excavator rake main characteristics:

Wear resistant steel, prolong the durability of the rake;

According to the different vehicle, can provide a variety of sizes of rake;

Services of different shapes can be customized;

12 months warranty;

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