A complete guide to buying used excavators: accurate selection and efficient construction
In the field of engineering construction, used excavators have become an ideal choice for many construction teams to reduce costs due to their relatively affordable prices. However, there are a lot of used excavators on the market. How to choose a device with good performance and reliable quality has become a headache for many buyers. Below, we will introduce the key points for purchasing second-hand excavators in detail.
1. Appearance inspection: the truth is in the details
1. Overall appearance: Carefully observe the overall appearance of the excavator to see if there are obvious deformations, dents or repair marks on the fuselage. If a large area is repainted, it may mean that the equipment has suffered serious collisions or damage and needs further in-depth inspection.
2. Component integrity: Check each component of the excavator one by one to ensure that all components are complete and there are no signs of missing or replacement. Pay special attention to some key components, such as booms, dippers, buckets, etc., to check whether their welding is firm and whether there are cracks or desoldering.
3. Walking device: The walking device is an important part of the excavator and directly affects its mobility. Check the wear of the crawler. Under normal circumstances, the wear of the crawler plate should not exceed one-third of the original thickness. At the same time, observe whether the tension of the crawler is appropriate. Too loose or too tight may affect the walking stability of the equipment. In addition, check the supporting wheels, sprocket wheels and other parts to see if there is any oil leakage, damage or excessive wear.
2. Performance test: actual combat test shows strength
1. Engine performance: The engine is the core power source of the excavator, and its performance directly determines the working efficiency of the equipment. Start the engine and listen to whether its running sound is stable and whether there are any abnormal knocking sounds or noises. Under normal circumstances, the engine should start quickly, idle steadily, and respond sensitively when accelerating. At the same time, observe the exhaust emissions of the engine. The exhaust color should be colorless or light gray. If the exhaust is black or there is a lot of smoke, it means that the engine may have problems such as incomplete combustion and cylinder wear.
2. Hydraulic system performance: The hydraulic system is responsible for controlling various actions of the excavator, such as boom lifting, dipper extension and retraction, bucket rotation, etc. Check the oil quality and oil quantity of the hydraulic oil. The oil quality should be clear and transparent, without turbidity or emulsification, and the oil quantity should be within the specified scale range. Operate each action of the excavator to observe whether its response speed is fast, whether the action is smooth, and whether there is any jamming or sluggishness. In addition, check whether there is oil leakage in the hydraulic pipeline. Any small leakage may affect the normal operation of the hydraulic system.
3. Working device performance: Test the excavator’s working device, such as the digging force of the boom, dipper and bucket. You can feel whether the digging force is sufficient by digging some soil or materials. At the same time, check whether the connection parts of the working device are firm, loose or have too large a gap. In addition, pay attention to the wear of the working device, especially the blade of the bucket. A severely worn bucket will affect the digging efficiency and increase the maintenance cost.
3. Equipment parameter verification: accurate and guaranteed data
1. Working hours: Working hours are an important indicator to measure the degree of use of second-hand excavators. Generally speaking, the lower the working hours, the less wear the equipment has. You can check the working hours through the dashboard of the excavator, but be aware that some bad sellers may tamper with the dashboard. Therefore, it is also necessary to combine the actual wear of the equipment, such as the wear degree of crawlers, bucket teeth, hydraulic cylinders and other parts, to comprehensively judge the authenticity of the working hours.
2. Equipment model and configuration: Verify whether the model and configuration of the excavator are consistent with the seller’s description. Excavators of different models and configurations may have large differences in performance and price. You can confirm the accurate information of the equipment by checking the nameplate of the equipment, product manual or consulting the manufacturer’s customer service. In addition, pay attention to whether the equipment has been modified. If it has been modified, understand the reasons and effects of the modification and evaluate its impact on the performance and safety of the equipment.
Fourth, equipment source tracing: knowing the roots and knowing the bottom is more assured
1. Understand the background of the seller: Try to choose to buy second-hand excavators from formal channels, such as well-known engineering machinery dealers, leasing companies or large construction companies. These sellers usually have a relatively complete equipment management and maintenance system, and the source and use of the equipment are relatively clear and reliable. At the same time, to understand the seller’s credibility and reputation, you can obtain relevant information through Internet searches, consulting industry insiders or checking the seller’s customer reviews.
2. Check the equipment files: ask the seller to provide the equipment files, including the purchase invoice, certificate, maintenance record, accident report, etc. These files can help buyers fully understand the history of the equipment and determine whether there are potential problems with the equipment. If the seller cannot provide a complete equipment file, or there are doubts in the file, then you should be extra cautious when purchasing.
V. Price evaluation: reasonable pricing does not suffer losses
1. Market research: Before buying a second-hand excavator, you must fully understand the current market price of similar equipment. You can collect price information of second-hand excavators of different brands, models, years and working hours through the Internet, engineering machinery trading platforms, industry exhibitions and other channels, and conduct comparative analysis to have a general understanding of the price of the target equipment.
2. Equipment value evaluation: Comprehensively evaluate the value of the equipment based on factors such as the appearance, performance, working hours, equipment model and configuration, and equipment source. You can refer to the evaluation methods and standards of professional second-hand equipment evaluation agencies, or consult experienced industry professionals to make a reasonable estimate of the price of the equipment. When negotiating the price with the seller, it is necessary to accurately evaluate the value of the equipment, avoid overly high or low prices, and ensure that the transaction is fair and reasonable.
Purchasing a second-hand excavator requires buyers to have certain professional knowledge and experience, and to make comprehensive considerations from multiple aspects such as appearance inspection, performance testing, equipment parameter verification, equipment source tracing, and price evaluation. Only in this way can you choose a second-hand excavator with high cost performance and reliable quality, providing a strong guarantee for the smooth progress of the construction project. I hope the above purchase points can be helpful to the majority of buyers, and I wish everyone can buy the equipment they like.
