Purchasing construction equipment is similar to purchasing any other large piece of machinery. However, you should approach the purchasing procedure with caution and forethought. Take your time to check before buying heavy equipment, more importantly. Instead, spend the time doing a complete and exhaustive assessment of the equipment, which should include a look at the engine, tires, and hydraulics.
But, before you pull the trigger and acquire a piece of used construction equipment, check before buying heavy machinery.
1. Research the equipment’s past.
Check for proper ownership—critical It’s to look over the machine’s history to ensure there are no liens against it and that it hasn’t been stolen. Then, run the PIN to see if the item has a title.
Examine the maintenance record—A maintenance record will help you check that the machine has been appropriately maintained and that all fluids have been changed regularly.
You shouldn’t just rely on what’s printed on the maintenance record and check the fluids. You can double-check that what you’re reading is correct by looking at the fluids yourself. Open the engine by examining the transmission fluid, coolant, hydraulic fluid, and engine oil. Low or dirty fluids could indicate that the machine’s previous owner didn’t follow the required maintenance schedule or, worse, that there is an issue with the equipment.
Next, note the machine’s operating hours—A machine’s working hours are similar to the miles on a car, so keep track of them and compare them to the machine’s price. However, many operational hours aren’t a deal-breaker if people maintain the engine.
2. Check before buying heavy equipment for any damage.
First, check before buying heavy machinery, including the age of the equipment. Wear and tear, such as dings and scrapes, are standard on the second-hand machine; on the other hand, hairline, cracks, and corrosion are not you want to see. Also, inspect the tires and undercarriage, as their condition can indicate how the equipment has been handled and maintained.
There are a few key areas to look into:
The structure of the undercarriage—Repairing a tracked vehicle’s underside is costly. It’s critical to inspect it for damage or uneven wear thoroughly.
The hydraulics—Look for leaks, dents, or scratches in the hydraulic cylinders. Check for loose belts, dirty filters, and leaks in the engine. Turn the machine on and listen for any knocking or scraping sounds emanating from the engine’s cylinders with a mechanic’s stethoscope.
The wheels— In addition to looking for bulges or punctures in the tires, look for uneven tread wear, as this could signal an alignment issue. Measure the tread depth of the tire with a tire gauge and compare it to the tread depth indicated on the manufacturer’s website.
3. Inspect the hydraulic system
Hydraulics inspection is an essential yet crucial aspect of the inspection process. To begin, start the engine and adjust the attachments. Next, if you have trouble steering or hear a “chattering noise” or any other peculiar sound, it could signify that the machine’s hydraulics are failing. Lastly, keep track of whether the fluid temperatures remain consistently high or whether you lose pressure when using the attachments.
Source: Heavy Equipment Rentals