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!