As a beginner contractor, you may have difficulty acquiring some of the heavy equipment you need for construction and other industrial work. Fortunately, there are ways to get the tools you need while stretching your budget in the process, such as shopping for used models. Any long-time contractor knows you should always inspect used equipment carefully before committing to a purchase. Here are some areas you should check before buying used heavy equipment.
Understand Operating Hours
While it’s helpful to check a piece of equipment’s mileage, what’s most important is to inquire about its total operating hours. Observing the number of operating hours a machine has can help you calculate its age and roughly how many more years of use you can expect out of it. For example, if you inspect two excavators from the same manufacturing year, and one has more operating hours logged, that model could have more wear than the other.
Undercarriage Wear and Tear
The undercarriage is one of the areas on any piece of heavy equipment that sustains the most wear and tear. This is where the treads or tires meet the body of the equipment, and it contains many smaller parts and mechanisms. These components can often hide wear and tear and other signs of damage. This is why it’s important to regularly inspect your own equipment’s undercarriage as well as the used models you wish to purchase. For example, you should learn how to inspect an excavator undercarriage if you need to use one.
Engine Condition
Before purchasing a piece of used equipment, you need to know that the engine is running smoothly. Before agreeing to any used machinery purchase, check the equipment’s engine for signs of wear and tear. It can be helpful to pay special attention to the vehicle’s engine exhaust. Watch for strange-colored smoke coming from the exhaust, which can indicate internal engine issues, such as oil leaks and more.
Maintenance Log/History
Finally, once you’ve completed your inspection, ask the seller to provide a maintenance log for the used equipment in question. The machine’s operating hours and parts can only tell you so much about its history. However, with a formal maintenance log, you can better understand the equipment and its condition over the months or years of use. Acquiring a log will also help you know when to expect repairs in the future.
Ask the seller for a formal inspection report or if you could conduct one yourself. During your inspection, focus on these areas to check before buying used heavy equipment. This, combined with a detailed history of past repairs and maintenance, will help you ensure that your used equipment won’t break down shortly after you acquire it.
