It is not always easy to find the best construction equipment on the market. It is, therefore, crucial to take your time before you buy construction equipment. It is even better to do your due diligence before making your final decision. Take your time to do proper research and inspect the machine. You have to examine the hydraulics, tires, and engine of the industrial equipment.
In this article, you will learn 5 tips for purchasing used construction equipment:
1. Check the History of the Equipment
Confirm Ownership
It is very important to check the history of the equipment. You want to know if the machine was not stolen and if there are liens on the machinery.
Check the Maintenance History
You also need to ask the seller for the maintenance record of the machine. You should know if the seller properly maintained the machine and changed the fluids regularly.
Check the Fluids
Do not just rely on the information on the maintenance record. It is best to check the fluids yourself to ensure the information on the maintenance record is accurate. Therefore, examine the engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid before purchasing the machinery.
If the fluids are dirty or low, it can mean the previous owner did not keep up with the maintenance service of the machinery. There might also be a problem with the machinery.
Check the Operating Hours of the Machine
The operating hours of a machine are the same as the miles on a vehicle. It is, therefore, important to compare the operating hours with the price of the construction equipment. If operating hours are high and the previous owner did maintain the machine properly, you can still purchase the machinery.
2. Inspect the Machinery
It is possible to spot signs of wear, such as scratches and dings, on used construction equipment. It is, however, not recommended to choose used machinery with rust or hairline cracks. Inspecting the undercarriage and tires can help you know how the previous owner maintained their used construction machinery.
Here are some of the areas you need to examine:
The Undercarriage
It is expensive to repair the undercarriages of most tracked vehicles. It is, therefore, very important to examine the undercarriage for uneven wear or damage.
The Hydraulics
Inspect the hydraulic cylinder for scratches, dents, or leaks.
The Engine
Examine the engine for leaks, dirty filters, and loose belts. Once you turn on the machine, listen for scratching or knowing sounds using a mechanic’s stethoscope. These sounds usually come from the cylinders of the engine.
The Tires
Do not just check for punctures or bulges on the tires. It is even better to look for uneven tread wear. Uneven tread wear can mean there is an alignment problem. Measure the tread depth of the tire using a tire gauge. Then, compare your measurements with the read depth on the website of the manufacturer.
3. Examine the Engine Exhaust
If the construction equipment’s engine emits blue-color, white, or black exhaust, then do not choose that construction equipment.
Here are some of the red flags you need to look out for:
Black Exhaust
If the engine emits black exhaust, then the machine burns too much fuel. The machine may, therefore, have a faulty injector or dirty air filter.
White Exhaust
If the engine emits white exhaust, then the machine burns fuel incorrectly. The machine may, therefore, have a faulty head gasket, which lets water mix with the fuel.
Blue Exhaust
If the engine emits blue exhaust, then the machine burns oil. A worn seal or ring or even an over-fill of engine oil can cause this problem.
4. Examine the Hydraulics
It is simple to check the hydraulics. You just turn on the machine and operate its attachments. If the machine makes unusual sounds or you experience difficulty steering the machine, then the machine may have a hydraulic issue.
If you operate the attachments and experience a loss in pressure or the temperatures of the fluids remain high, then the machine may also have a hydraulic issue.
5. Examine the Forks and Buckets
If you want to buy a loader backhoe or an excavator, then you need to examine the signs of scalloping on the bucket teeth. Scalloping can decrease the cutting force of the bucket.
Here are the things to examine:
Buckets
Make sure there are signs of wear on the leading edge. You can also check the condition of the bottom of the bucket and the thickness of the side panels. Check for signs of repair work and welds.
Forklifts
Check the thickness and signs of wear on the fork heels. The heel forks’ thickness should be the same as the thickness of the upright fork shank. Check the forks for welds. If there are several welds on the machine, it means the machine has experienced more damage. The machine may even have undiagnosed or even unseen issues.
