All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier

About used excavator sales

Types of used excavator sales

A used excavator is an already used or second-hand excavator that is being sold. The excavator remains one of the essential equipment in different sectors like construction, mining, landscaping, and infrastructure development. Buying a used excavator can help reduce costs for buyers in a business-to-business market. Listed below are some of the most popular sectors where used excavators are bought and sold:

  • Construction:

    Used excavators are ideal for budget management, earthmoving, trenching, foundation digging, and a wide range of other construction tasks.

  • Infrastructure Development:

    When constructing roads, bridges, dams, airports, and other infrastructural facilities, a large public-sector construction industry often opts for used excavators to cut projects' overall cost.

  • Mining:

    Used hydraulic excavators are usually used to extract minerals, ores, and other materials from the depths of the earth in mines, especially during open-pit mining.

  • Land Reclamation:

    During land reclamation, used tracked excavators can be used to create new land from the sea or other bodies of water.

  • Demolition:

    Used excavators can be equipped with demolition attachments like crushers or shears to safely and precisely demolish existing structures in a controlled manner.

Specifications and maintenance of used excavator sales

Specifications

  • Sizes and weights: The overall shape and bulk of an excavator, its length, width, and height, are governed by the duties it must perform and its transportation requirements. A standard mini excavator weighs between one and six tons, a medium excavator between seven and twenty-three tons, and a large excavator over twenty-three tons. excavators have articulated arms fitted with crawler belts or wheels that move it. Crawler belts are more stable when traversing rough terrain, while wheels are suited for faster travel on roads. Standard wheel sizes range from 36" to 60", while crawler belt widths vary from 16" to 24".
  • Operating capacity/volume

    The main task of an working excavator is to dig up earth, measured in terms of the used excavator volume it can handle each minute or hour. The digging volume is determined by the size and shape of the buckets attached to the excavator arm, known as the dipper. Other factors that dig capacity include the bucket cylinders' pressure, flow rate, and control speed.

  • Engine power:

    The engine power of excavators is specified in horsepowers (HP) and is determined by the excavator's duty (digging, loading, etc.), mounted equipment (hydraulic motors, generators, etc.), vehicle type (tracked, wheeled), vehicle age, etc. An excavator's hydraulic system converts engine power into hydraulic power, which performs the mechanical duties of digging, loading, and moving, measured as output, pressure, and flow.

  • Hydraulic system

    The excavator's hydraulic system is responsible for its movement and that of the equipment attached to it, such as the digging buckets. This system includes the hydraulic pump, motor, valve assembly, and cylinders that control the excavator's and attachment's movement. A hydraulic excavator has one or more pumps that convert the engine power used to dig, load, and transport in tons per minute or hour into hydraulic power.

    Excavators have two distinct types of hydraulic systems: the load-sensing type, which adjusts pressure and flow based on load conditions, improving efficiency and fuel economy, and the standard type, which supplies constant pressure and flow to all attachments. The load-sensing system is more widely used in modern excavators. Additionally, the hydraulic systems include the primary pump and swing pump, which provide hydraulic power for the excavator's movement and that of the equipment attached.

Maintenance

  • Regular inspection: The excavator operator should walk around the excavator before and after use to look for signs of wear, line rupture, component damage or looseness, leaks, and any issues requiring immediate attention.
  • Lubrication: Lubricate the joints of excavators with grease fittings so that seals and pivot points function correctly.
  • Filter replacement: Tracked excavator filters should be replaced regularly so that circulating lubricants are not contaminated.
  • Repair: Correct promptly any damage or wear of excavator components. Dismantling and replacement of excavator components must be carried out with the proper tools and with the necessary skill.
  • Cleaning: Excavators working in muddy or saline soils should have their undercarriages and body sprayed with clean water to prevent corrosion.
  • Periodic servicing: Based on the number of hours the excavator is run, periodic overhauls should be based on a maintenance plan specified in the manufacturer's handbook.

Scenarios of used excavator sales

The primary purpose of excavators is to dig and move huge quantities of earth and materials. Excavators are indispensable in the mining sector, whether for open-pit mining, site clearing, trenching, or dragging operations, due to their considerable digging power and adaptability to change the buckets and attachments.

Moreover, due to their suitability for outstanding flexibility and precision, excavators are frequently employed to demolish structures and buildings. They are also suited for tasks such as slot and dumpster excavations, carting and cleaning operations, drainage, and trenching, all of which require significant precision and flexibility.

In addition, with the appropriate attachments, excavators can undertake a wide range of tasks. For instance, outfitted with a compactor, it can conduct site compaction. A fitted breaker can perform as a hammer for breaking concrete. Excavators can also be equipped with specialized buckets to handle hazardous materials.

Another typical application is the use of excavators to lift heavy items or equipment. Excavators are sometimes employed in conjunction with cranes for this purpose or are fitted with cranes.

Excavators are also significant players in the renewable energy sector, such as wind energy. The massive wind turbine bases must be excavated and placed using large excavators with specialized attachments.

How to choose used excavator sales

When selecting a used excavator for sale, there are a few essential factors for people to consider. Buyers should keep in mind that with good examination and research, the right choice can be made and an adequate excavator chosen.

  • Reason for use and size required: Think about the tasks the excavator will be used for. If it is for mining or land clearing, a larger excavator with a wide and strong bucket would be required. However, for urban projects such as digging trenches or the foundation of buildings, a smaller one with good features would be more suited.
  • Checking of key components: A used excavator will undergo some wear and tear. However, critical components such as the boom, arm, and bucket should not show major signs of damage. Minor dents and scratches are negligible, but if there are any cracks or issues in the hydraulic hoses or lines, they should be instantly considered a deal-breaker.
  • Tracks: If the excavator being considered is one that moves with tracks, then the tracks need to be examined as they get worn out with time. Check if the tracks are stretched, cracked, or damaged. If the excavator in question has undercarriage rollers and sprockets, check those too. They should also be free of damage.
  • Age and hours on the used excavator: Usually, the used excavator's age and the hours put on the engine matter a lot when determining the price. However, they are not the most important factors to consider. An excavator can be older but in much better condition than one that is newer, and vice versa. Therefore, one should never judge a used excavator just by its age and hours.

Q&A

Q1 Which countries make excavators?

Excavator manufacturing companies are mostly in Asia, Europe, and America. China makes the highest number of used mini excavators for sale. However, other countries like America, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Germany, and France also manufacture excavators.

Q2 How long can an excavator sit unused?

A properly maintained excavator can sit unused for five to ten years.

Q3 Can excavators be automated?

Some used excavators in the market come with automated features. Automation in excavators means that the excavator can perform some tasks without the direct input of an operator. Some used excavators are fitted with automated crane-type diggers that excavate without operator control. Excavators with automation can also have automatic engine shut-off when the engine idles. This feature reduces unnecessary equipment wear. Some excavators also have automated self-diagnostic systems. These systems notify the operator about maintenance needs or potential issues.

Q4 Do excavators have GPS?

Excavators can have GPS technology. The GPS helps to provide location tracking and navigation services. This feature is mostly found in excavators used for large construction projects. The GPS helps to improve accuracy, efficiency, and productivity in excavation tasks that require digging to specific depths, grades, or boundaries.