5 Tips on Buying Excavators for Your Construction Business
An excavator is no small addition to your construction business, considering its average cost. However, thinking that you will be saving money by buying a used excavator is not a simple solution.
A used excavator can be riddled with constant problems, costing you valuable downtime on the job and cost in repairs. However, knowing what to look for when buying excavators could also save you a considerable amount of money.
Let’s not waste any more time contemplating, though. If you are ready to purchase an excavator, we have the tips to ensure that purchase is a success.
Keep reading to find out more.
5 Tips on Buying Excavators
All new projects start when fresh ground is broken, and knowing that you are purchasing a reliable excavator for your next project is a critical decision. You have very little room for error, and we want to help you minimize that error as much as possible.
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Know Your Purchasing Budget
When comparing excavator costs, it is vital to have a budget to start with. A purchasing budget will ensure that you are not wasting time looking at new and used excavators outside your price range. Narrowing your options for excavators will significantly reduce the time it takes to find the right one for your next project, too.
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Choose Your Dealer or Private Party Wisely
When finding the right providers for excavators, you want to make sure they are reputable, of course. For example, will they help you find parts and offer a maintenance plan or schedule? What other incentives can they offer you with financing a new or used excavator?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A reputable dealer like Fecon will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
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Are There Parts and Accessories Still Available?
With different excavator sizes come different parts and accessories availability. Does the new excavator you’re looking at have parts readily available? If you are looking at a used excavator, are the parts still being manufactured, or can you find aftermarket parts?
These are critical questions to find answers to before making a final purchase decision.
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Inspect the Exterior Condition of the Excavator
The exterior of your next excavator should be inspected for structural integrity. This includes looking for cracks, dents, bends, and other abnormalities. For example, are the boom and stick still straight? Are there a lot of dents on the machine indicating a rough past life?
Are you looking at buying a previously rented excavator? Make sure you have all the rental and maintenance records available. That machine may be near the end of its service life.
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Check For Wear and Tear in Common Places
Don’t be afraid to inspect the moving parts of the excavator too. Check the hydraulics. Are the lines leaking or deteriorating? Check the hydraulic pump location, along with the swing bearing and slew ring.
If there are any problems, the repairs should be made before the machine is purchased. Other locations to consider and the bucket and attachments, the hour meter, and the control levers and pedals.
Any significant wear or damage in these locations should carefully be considered before you make a final purchasing decision.
Purchase Your Next Excavator With Confidence
Excavators are built to withstand some of the most challenging and versatile of heavy construction jobs. Consequently, their applications change from site to site, and there will be different excavator sizes, designs, and load capacities.
Yet, with these tips, you won’t have to worry about making a wrong purchase when buying excavators.
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