Whether looking for a new or a used excavator, it’s imperative that you invest some time into the research so that you can make an educated decision at the time of the purchase. There are a lot of things you need to look out for when buying a used excavator or even when you’re planning on excavator hire gold coast.

Let’s take a look at a checklist that’ll help you on your endeavor.

The purpose of the machine

Before you set out looking for an excavator, make sure to know the specs of your job as it will help you decide better. Excavators are grouped into 3 sizes i.e. large (capacity is 45-80 metric tons), standard (capacity is metric 7-44 tons) and basic (capacity is 0-7 metric tons).
Having decided on the size, it can help identify if you will need any hammers, rippers or any other support attachments.

Dents and cracks

Dents and cracks are never a good sign, especially when you find them in connection points such as between the stick and bucket or boom and stick. Having cracks or dents could reveal that the overall structural integrity of the excavator has been compromised, negatively impacted or the rubber tracks or any other part needs to be replaced. The existence of dents can mean that the machine was operated without proper care by the previous owner.

Broken or inaccurate hours meter

If the hours meter is broken or gives you inaccurate readings, make sure to check the pedals for any wear. Excessive wear could mean that the excavator has more hours logged than the meter shows. Overlooking this could mean you land in a lot of repair and troubles later down the road.

Scalloping

Make sure to check between the excavator teeth of the bucket for any signs of scalloping or any half-mooned shapes. While scalloping doesn’t necessarily indicate the requirement for a replacement but it definitely means that the cutting force has been significantly diminished.

Leaks

Look into the hydraulic pump and check for any signs of leakage. Check all the lines, hoses as well as cylinders. Also, checking for leaks in other parts of the excavator can help you avoid any major mishap and repair any time later during your project. Make sure to fix any leaks before starting off with your project to ensure that safe operations are continued throughout.
The tips mentioned above serve as a very sound starting point for you to start your research for a used excavator. More than anything, you should check for the maintenance records of the machine in question. Reach out to your friends and colleagues to get a recommendation or have a certified professional look into some machines for you. Ultimately, it’ll all help you save a lot of money.