Buying an Excavator? Don’t Get Ripped Off – Follow These 3 Tips!
Release time:
2025-06-10
"Mike from Texas saved $20k buying a used excavator... then spent $25k on repairs in 6 months!"
Choosing an excavator is like dating – if you only care about looks and price, you’ll regret it later! After 10 years in the field, here are 3 rules even dealerships agree with:
1. "Can’t Reach Their Service Center? Run Away!"
Real story: A contractor in Ohio waited 3 days for a callback when his hydraulic system failed. The downtime cost him $8k.
Pro Tip: Before buying, call their "emergency service line" at 5 PM Friday. If nobody answers, cross them off your list!
2. "Used Excavator = Used Car? Watch Out for ‘Gas Guzzlers’!"
The numbers don’t lie:
New: 10 gallons/day, $500/month maintenance
Used (5,000+ hours): May burn 15 gallons/day, $800+/month
Truth: That "50% discount" could cost you 200% more in the long run!
3. "Skip These 3 Checks? You’re Asking for Trouble!" (Free Checklist)
✅ Hydraulic Oil: Pull the dipstick. Milky color? Water contamination = instant price cut!
✅ Engine: Listen during cold start. If it sounds like a tractor, walk away.
✅ Cab: Test ALL buttons. A broken seat adjuster hints at heavy past use.
Bonus: "GH Checklist" to get our free *28-Point Excavator Inspection Guide* – even includes "rust level grading" for bolts!
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