TECHNICAL RESOURCE

Buying your excavator

As with any machinery, you can choose to buy New, or Used. Before you look at those options in detail, consider some more general criteria:

1. Capacity: What capacity of machine do you think you need? Excavators are always classified by their operating weight – a 1.5 tonne mini weights about 1.5 tonnes or 1500kgs – and often model numbers refer to this. In simple terms, a heavy machine with a bigger counterweight, can cope with a bigger boom/arm assembly, with more engine power. Obviously other things change to accommodate this – bigger track frames and motors to cope with the extra weight for example – but this is the main, basic difference between different sizes of excavator.
2. Size: Do you envisage any size or weight restrictions for your work? Is it possible you might buy an excavator that is to large for your jobsites (or your transport), or conversely, might you have reach/power considerations which rule out smaller machines? For example, do you need to dig to a certain depth, or load over a certain height? Do you need to dig narrow trenches, or work under/inside of structures?
3. Make: A difficult question this, as you’ll rarely get an objective view from other owners, but nevertheless, this is a good source of information. Things to bear in mind are service costs and resale values – easily checked out – as well as the access to dealers and spare parts.
4. Age: Diggers, when looked after properly, can last many years (we still stock and sell parts for popular minis built in the mid 1980’s!) although as a rule of thumb, you may need to be prepared for more expensive items – such as slew rings – to fail on machines over 5 years old. Unless you’re mechanically minded and like a bit of spanner work, or you’re confident you can spot potential problems, stick to looking at machines under 5 years old. Don’t think you’ll ever avoid running costs such as tracks unless the machine is brand new – newer machines can use these just as quickly as older ones.
5. Popularity: Buying a digger is one thing, keeping it running is another matter. It can be very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain parts for some of the more obscure makes and models of machine. You may unwittingly buy a machine which has no dealer backup in the UK or Europe and, if aftermarket suppliers do not have a regular call for parts, they may also be in no position to justify stocking spares. Beware the 'bargain'! Unusual makes, or unofficial imports (also known as grey imports) of known brands can cause problems in this respect. In general, it's best to buy something failry common, not least because you can compare prices and condition between different sellers.

New

You can find the nearest manufacturer main dealers by using the information in the CONTACTING YOUR EXCAVATOR MANUFACTURER OR DEALER section.

1. Reputation: Try and check this out with other users/owners before you go ahead and buy, to see what feedback you get on:
   1. Make – are other owners happy with it, and would they buy again?
   2. Dealer – is the service and pricing and location satisfactory?
2. Residuals: Check the second hand plant directories – or ask to see the dealers used machinery list – to get an idea of what your machine might be worth if, and when you need to sell.
3. Specifications: The big advantage with buying new is that you can, within reason, buy exactly the machine you need, although it’s wise to take some advice from the dealer salesperson as to what might be saleable when you come to dispose of the machine. Check the options and specifications of machines against one another for comparison, and try to establish which are most important to you.

---

Used

There are three main alternatives here – Dealers, Small Ads, Auctions - but you would be wise not to consider the two latter options unless you’re confident you know what to look out for, and how to fix any potential gremlins.
Refer also to the information in the KNOW YOUR MACHINE section.

1. NEVER buy a machine without a serial number plate. How can you order spares for it, or insure it?
2. CHECK that the model number shown on the decals matches that on the serial number plate. Incompetent or unscrupulous traders may ‘cosmetically’ update machines, with new paint and decals to look like a later model. Do the engine numbers match those on the serial number plate?
3. CHECK the origin of the machine. You need to be aware that grey imports(machines imported from outside the EU) exist, and may not necessarily bear any resemblance to EU specification machines. Using non-EU, non CE marked machinery is not advisable.
4. Dealers: There are manufacturers main dealers, and also machinery traders, who deal in all kinds of new or nearly new machines. Always try and check out a dealer’s reputation before you buy from them – they will generally be professionally run and provide good back up, but as with any industry there are rogues, and it’s not necessarily the smaller, independent outfits that give the worst service. If you think you’ll need some back-up from the dealer, try and buy from dealers who have experience and regular sales of the makes/models of machine you need, rather than those who are selling a one-off deal.
5. Small Ads: Smaller owners and dealers frequently advertise excavators in trade magazines. As with buying cars or commercial vehicles, buying from these sources will place more risk and responsibility with the buyer, in terms of ensuring the machinery is in good condition, and is not stolen, but ultimately there should be significant saving by cutting out the dealer. However, you must ask yourself whether you are really qualified to make informed, competent decisions?
6. Auctions: There are some very good bargains to be found here, and you can see a wide selection of excavators in one place. However, as with any auction - buyer beware – this is definitely not advised for those prone to rash decisions or with a history of getting palmed-off with shoddy goods!