Critical Inspection Areas When Buying Used Excavation Equipment

It's no secret that having the right equipment for a construction job will improve your efficiency, improve your profit margins and ensure that the project is completed to the best quality. If you make frequent use of a rented excavator, chances are you want to purchase one to cut rental costs and improve efficiency in your business. That said, heavy construction equipment and equipment used in excavation efforts do not come cheap, and it makes sense that you would want to purchase a second-hand machine. If this is the case, keep an eye out when inspecting prospective equipment to make sure your purchase does not bring you more trouble than it's worth. Here are crucial areas to check. 

Structure 

You must spend some time inspecting the structure of a used excavator to make sure everything is in perfect condition before using it. You can opt to download an inspection checklist from the manufacturer and hire a highly qualified machine operator who understands what to look for in a piece of quality equipment. Before getting down to specifics, perform a walk-around to get a general impression of the wear and condition of the equipment. Here you are judging the appearance to determine the status of critical components such as fittings, joints, hinges, compartments, the undercarriage and any other structural part you can see.

Play Movement   

Pay special attention to a damaged screw ring, as repairs for this part can be very expensive. Check the connection around the bucket, stick, and boom to ensure there is no play or movement. Ideally, all associated pins and bushings should be tight to prevent loss of accuracy between bucket placement and stick position. Also, any cracks or loose connections can be very dangerous at a construction site. You can go ahead and perform a few digging operations to guarantee everything is running smoothly. 

Hydraulic and Engine Check

Take a good look at the hydraulic system and engine, since they are the most crucial parts of excavator equipment. Check under the lower housing to spot if any oil is leaking since a hydraulic leak could mean major problems down the line. If a leak is present, find out if it requires a simple seal replacement or a more expensive hydraulic pump replacement. Check the engine panel for any signs of visible cracks, dirty filters or loose belts. 

Now that you have an overview of critical parts, you can start your excavator buying process. A qualified operator should come in handy for the inspection, purchase process and excavation work. Contact an excavation company to learn more.