What to Look for When Buying Second Hand Heavy Machinery

If you want to purchase second-hand heavy machinery, there are so many things you need to check.

It is important to inspect the second-hand heavy machinery to identify red flags.

Doing the inspection can give you peace of mind.

Read on to learn what to check before buying second-hand heavy machinery:

Visible Structure Check

It is beneficial to do a visible inspection of the second-hand equipment. It is, however, much better to start from the ground. You can, therefore, begin with the undercarriage and the wheels of the machine.

Then, check external components, such as attachments, the frame, etc., of the machine.

Here are the things to consider during a visible inspection:

The integrity of the structure of the machine. Make sure there is no significant fracture or damage to the structure.

Check for fishplates or welding marks on the body of the heavy machinery.

Check for oil leaks under the machine or on the engine panel and the hydraulic cylinders.

The condition of the wheel and undercarriage.

The state of the attachments of the machinery.

A visible structure check can help you spot red flags. If there are red flags, do not buy that machinery.

There are other important areas you need to check during a visible inspection. It is essential to check these areas before you purchase second-hand machinery.

Here are the important areas to check before buying second-hand industrial equipment:

The teeth or c-curve attachment edges

Broken hydraulic hoses

Loose pivot points, articulation, or slew ring

Excessive wear of the axles, wheel, and machine’s undercarriage, such as idlers, roller, sprocket, trackpads.

Scratches, dents, and leaks around the hydraulic pumps

Fluid level, wear spots, leaks, black soot on the engine compartment

Metal reconstruction, fishplates, welding marks around frame

Oil leaks on the hydraulic cylinders

Damage, bend or crack marks around the frame

Interior Cabin Check

Inspect the inner cabin area of the heavy machinery, especially if you want to consider the beauty and aesthetic of the heavy machinery. Check the backup, steering, and controlling systems for steering and navigating the heavy machinery.

Here are the things to check as you inspect the interior cabin area of the heavy machinery:

All the indicators, gauges, and switches on the dashboard of the heavy machinery.

The working condition of the foot pedals, controllers (fingers or joystick), and the steering wheel.

The heating and air-conditioning system.

Availability of cab or extended roll-over protective structure (EROPS).

The physical condition of the windows, mirrors, lights, seat belt, and the seat.

Once you check the interior cabin area of the machine, you will know the parts that need immediate replacement or minimal adjustment. You can consider the cost of these parts before buying the machine.

Hours Meter Check

It is important to know the age of second-hand heavy machinery. It is, therefore, essential to check the operating hours of the machinery on the hour’s meter. If the hour’s meter shows 25000hrs, then you can know the life cycle of the machine’s components.

Once you buy the machine, you can replace the worn parts.

Do not buy any second-hand machinery before checking the hour’s meter.

The hours on the hour’s meter can determine the reusable worth of the machine. The owner of the machine must do proper maintenance after 500 hours. Proper maintenance can maintain efficiency and extend the lifespan of the machine.

The seller can, however, alter the readings on the hours meter. It is, therefore, vital to ensure the heat meter is accurate and is not broken. It is, however, difficult to detect changes on the hour meter, especially if you do not have the technical expertise.

It is, therefore, crucial to contact a machine specialist to ensure the hour meter is accurate. The specialist can provide accurate hours meter reports.

Noise Check

Do not just check the structure of the second-hand machinery. If you just check the structure, you might miss other potential signs.

It is, therefore, necessary to turn on and drive the second-hand machine to check for the following:

Abnormal sounds from the machine’s engine. You can know the condition of the machine just by listening to the noise it makes.

If the machine performs a basic maneuver, the machine can make some sounds. If you hear squeaking sounds, it can mean missing bolts, worn-out parts, or loose connections.

Unusual noises can mean you may need to lubricate the connecting points of the heavy machinery.

A normal engine cannot make unusual noise when you are driving the machine.

Hydraulic and Engine Check

The hydraulic and engine are the most important parts of any heavy machinery. Inspect the hydraulic cylinders for visible signs of dents, scratches, breaks, or fluid leaks. Make sure the hoses have good sealing conditions and coupling.

Check the engine and engine panel for dirty filters, loose belts, and signs of leaks.

Do not buy second-hand heavy machinery before inspecting the hydraulic and engine of the machinery.

If you see dents, scratches, dirt, and fluid leaks around or under the hydraulic and engine compartment of the machine, you must check the conditions of the components and the sealing conditions.

Do not rush to buy cheap second-hand heavy machinery to save money. You might spend more money to replace some of these parts. It is usually expensive to purchase the spare parts of heavy machinery.