Used Mini Excavator Buyers Guide - What to look for - How to avoid scams

[@ianwhitby5415]

Thanks for a great video Ollie. I was drawn to a lovely 1.5 tonne digger on eBay - only 1,000 hours but the seller was based 100s of miles away, had zero feedback and an unconvincing story of ownership. I took your advice and pushed for more details, previous owners, service records and asked to view. It became pretty clear there was something very fishy about it and when they asked for a deposit "to hold it for me" I knew it was to be avoided. I then reported it to ebay and the seller and the digger instantly disappeared. Thanks for helping me avoid being scammed!

[@plumpii7177]

If you get contacted as the second highest bidder, theres a good chance the highest bidder was the owners friend pushing the bids up... my friends do it all the time.

[@alexmurray5774]

Great video mate, I'm in Australia and it's the same here with used machinery. I looked around for ages for a decent 2nd hand 1.2ton digger, and with what people were asking for used, for only a few grand more I bought a brand new machine. Ended up with a Takeuchi 210r, fantastic little machine. Look forward to seeing more of your videos 👍

[@karlwarnes6062]

Not only was the video content informative you made it flow with a polished commentary that made this very watchable and focussed camera work all at the same time.From a builder that's always hired mini diggers now contemplating buying a good used one,so Thank you very much this has helped and the best one I've watched so far.

[@adrianrobertsa.g.rcontract3019]

Great video Olly some useful information for the newbies to buying used plant 👍

[@bobdobalina838]

Good stuff, first time buyer. I feel armed now. :) Thanx!

[@tristanvander-molen6030]

I’m amazed Oliver your 0815 was older than mine good I sold mine pretty quickly for £6,900 when I got my bobcat 1.7 ton E17.

[@protectiongeek]

Thanks for a very detailed and helpful video. If I can offer a bit of advice myself - don't build up ground or pile spoil under overhead electricity lines! Reducing ground clearance can be very dangerous, as can using mechanical excavators under/near overhead lines. Always look up and stay safe.

[@oldredcoonhound2182]

Here in canada where I live, there was a guy that had a backhoe service and all he ever owned and ran Was JCB tractor backhoe, that was the first time I ever saw them.

[@Olliegunns]

I think they are quite rare in Canada. Mostly saw CAT and John Deere backhoes when I visited, probably because they have a wider dealer network and better backup. The same reason I run JCB's over here

[@greggdenike1376]

Smart chap,Cheers Good Lad,from an Old School Owner Operator ,doneJ.D. Widetracks to,brand New 4x4 ,extendahoe Terex w thumb and N.W. dragline .Great advice ,well said ,remind me of when I started back in the 80,s Peace To U Sir!!! KUDOS

[@bndwoodlands775]

Greetings from a fellow Gunn in Alabama!

[@frankh7303]

Good advice. JCB have a rep but if you are in the UK its a better bet for sourcing parts etc

[@wildcatwilly]

I have an 8018 I can't wait to start making videos just subscribed to you.

[@dionoconnell8973]

Good u show wer to look for play kingpin ect . Nice 1

[@oldredcoonhound2182]

5 gallon refurb., I call it the C.I.L.(paint) overhaul lol

[@lifebehindthelevers]

Sound advice as always Ollie

[@dionoconnell8973]

Lovely lil machine uve got der bro.

[@andrewhelmer7710]

Very useful informative video thank you

[@DJC995]

Hi Ollie Useful video Thanks

[@seancarey8731]

very good prestentation thank you for all the good information

[@jameselderton9869]

I wish I’d been able to watch this before my recent purchase.....

[@jackevans1385]

What happened?

[@Olliegunns]

I suggested to James that he bought a certain machine that was ideal for his next project and quite a rare spec, not realising he would be so fussy about it missing it’s wiper arm! 😆

[@tiltrotatorofficial]

Great video Ollie 👍🏼

[@KeithDeley]

Punctures ?

[@Brad-lt6mr]

Funny how the Facebook groups are full of people slagging off JCB, but most of the photos are of broken Japanese built machines.

[@Olliegunns]

People like their own brand I guess. For me its a combination of machine performance and backup. You can have the best machine in the game but no good if the dealer wont come out to get you running again. Of course people would say their machines don't break down - but they all do at some point!

[@Brad-lt6mr]

@@Olliegunns This stuff never gets serviced or greased. Most of the time, it's run by people with no mechanical know-how. Half the machines I work on have no oil in the final drives.

[@josephhaag7964]

Great job

[@leedale4008]

Very informative thanks

[@dionoconnell8973]

5 gal referb .. thats good info.

[@grahamness4132]

Graham from Australia I am considering buying second hand 8018. Question. It has a dozer blade extension missing any ideas where to get one. Thanks graham.

[@Olliegunns]

Hi Graham, I would imagine your local JCB dealer would be able to get hold of one, or alternatively there are some JCB breakers in the UK that might have that sort of thing, I'm sure there are some in Australia too. I would ask your dealer first though, they might not be as expensive as you think... or sometimes its worse - can never tell!

[@sammyjones3500]

I seemed to do everything wrong, buying an unseen machine from ebay but it turned out well, has done only 3 thousand hours and has been well cared for and did actually exist (bought it from a trusted second hand machinery dealer). It is 1.8 tonne New Holland with model tags on. But I think your advice is great !! Look forward to more tests from you. I am also wary of Chinese machines though one brand is considered good. Sany has a great history . Thank you! Bye!!

[@richardkelley1864]

Great video thank you

[@dionoconnell8973]

Vin plate ..good info.

[@johnbayliss1098]

I am looking for a JCB 1 CX in the USA please message me if possible thank you

[@u2kjib4cjkqn]

If you grease the pins all the time and give them a service they will last for ever

[@hadiqadriy3073]

How much?

[@dionoconnell8973]

Decent watchable vid ..im enjoying ..cheers. glad ur not an american .i just cant watch them too cocky ..u seem down to earth(no pun intended. Cheers

[@greggdenike1376]

A Detroiter from Hawaii,watched kids videos w Hard Hat Harry to figure out how to run a dozer!Cut my teeth sinking em in peat bogs along w my N.W.50 DRAGLIN. ,BREAK,SPEND ,FIX ,GO...$...,BUY,SELL AND DEMOLITION, WHAT A BLAST!!!

[@TF856]

One of the things you forgot to mention is never buy a JCB. 😁

[@maxflinkenberg9096]

U is so cleva

[@jahb9660]

Why are used diggers at a premium

[@oldredcoonhound2182]

Your machine looks great compared to Eric barker landscape 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Now his is a sloppy old thing.

[@Olliegunns]

I try to keep them tidy as I can but they do go into battle for you every day so scratches are inevitable really

[@davidwilson4205]

Very informative, but a bit too much waffling made the video a bit long. Still an 8/10 for me. Thanks.

[@Olliegunns]

Noted!

[@dionoconnell8973]

Wait on mistake from the start ..could be ladies watching not only the gents u refer to. Lets hope theres some interesting info in the rest of vid..il let you know wen ive watched it all.

[@Ebbrush3]

these shits are 8k new on ebay

[@dionoconnell8973]

Gents and ladies should be the intro ..not jus gents .its not the 1950s

[@Al-sq4uh]

Thanks for great review of minidigger. v helpful. what are your thoughts on chinese imports? I would be using the machine for private use on small garden projects at home - then perhaps sell on. Might be worth saving occasional hire costs but not sure.

[@Olliegunns]

I think you are better off with a well used but known brand mini digger than a brand new Chinese one for the same money. The old machine wont loose any value if it starts and digs whereas the Chinese brand will. You will also struggle to get parts, and attachments that fit. Maybe these cheap Chinese machines will prove themselves in a few years but personally I would leave the testing to someone else for now.

[@Al-sq4uh]

@@Olliegunns Thanks for that. Good advice - though I was probably being unrealistic and hoping for a deal I couldnt refuse to make it worth taking a risk.. On reflection I agree with you. A while ago I bought a chinese outboard engine which, although it ran ok’ish, had terrible corrosion. The saving grace was it had an importer providing support and replaced the engine - then refunded me for the replacement motor (even though over a year later) because it had the same probs. Their customer service was fantastic and, although I traded up to a well known brand, they still sell the chinese brand. This implies to me that the chinese ones are improving and still much cheaper. The lesson for me is that being made in china is ok - as long as you accept some quality compromise and you know you will get aftersales support. Thanks again. Al