What to look for when buying Used Excavator!!!

Sharing some tips on what to look for if you are in the market for a used machine!
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[@goucho3320]

Hands down, the best excavator inspection video I have seen. Thats coming from a guy that spent many years working for one of the biggest Caterpillar dealers in the world! I will add 1 more point, run the serial number, seen many sellers passing off a machine for a newer year than it actually is! I always remember the advice of my Italian fisherman friend - "if you got it for free, you might have paid too much!"

[@jaaten]

I've been working for a heavy equipment distributor in my area for a little under two years and seeing things like the last few minutes of this video will always make my inner 6 year old smile. Glad the Komatsu is still going strong (more or less) and great to see some attachments I deal with ordering every day in action.

[@greener121]

I’m late to the party, but great advice. For a man 1/2 my age, you’ve got a lot of sage advice and common sense not seen in so many today. 👍👍

[@Unclejake]

When I was in High School I worked in the lumber yard of my uncles company, my jobs were greasing machines, touching up paint, painting scaffold, he always wanted his equipment looking good at construction sites, heck I painted the chain link fence silver with a brush one summer. I really enjoyed that job...paid good too for a high school kid.

[@ralphjaneheywood2565]

Here in New Zealand we quite often fit a receiver socket on the top of the blade so that we can tow a trailer with our project materials onboard

[@lomparti]

Thats a good idea

[@gutsngorrrr]

Regarding dried up grease in a grease zerk, if you have the problem, try heating it up, as long as there are no seals in the section that has a problem, heat will soften the grease enough to use a grease gun.

[@lanetokack8816]

Or a portapower

[@MrNosajwhitey]

watching you work on these second hand machines makes me feel I could buy and repair machines of my own easily if I can make enough money with said machine

[@DJDAVEDREAM]

Matt my dad used to use little disk magnets over the grease fittings to keep the dirt out very cheap solution to a common problem ( neodymium )

[@antonyharris6904]

Great video and really informative and helpful - many thanks for your efforts on producing this 👍🏻🙏

[@Used-Excavators-mj2nc]

Hey bro it's very well explained. Thank you so much, very niece video.

[@oldridersteve217]

I know this is an older video, but a very good one indeed. I told a a former boss years ago that a machine or truck is only as good as it's product support. Many sellers list machines with 80% undercarriage when in fact it's like 20. Good info on what to look for.

[@christhompson5784]

Excellent job. It’s good to see someone who knows and understands equipment, unlike so many others running their mouths and obviously don’t know what they’re talking about. Nothing wrong with buying used equipment, so many people are more conserved with shiny looks than the mechanical condition. I’m a used equipment dealer the buyers out there today know very little about equipment let alone their business. Most manufacturers build good products, however it really comes down to dealer support - parts and service. Keep up the good work!

[@TheUserid82]

Also need to look at how you plan to fuel it and how much fuel it will use every day as individual 5 gallon cans will get to be a pain fast.

[@markdoby4276]

Dealer support goes so far. Not just who's closest, but who will take time to help you.

[@MrElliebeli]

Very informative. Just bought my first excavator for working my land. 4 days solid use so far & invested in a good grease gun as a couple of pretty dry pins. Trouble is once you have it you need the rest of the kit. Now on the look out for a dumper and possibly roller as I need to lay in a new road!

[@sstocker31]

Great video covering what to look at when buying a machine. The only thing I could add is if your looking at a machine at an auction, look up high in the nooks and crannys of the engine bay for signs of mud or flood marks....could have been buried in the mud deep at some point and the electrics don't like that at all.

[@DieselCreek]

Very true more modern stuff has an awful lot of them too

[@phatboizbackyardkustomz9006]

Last one I bought was a Hitachi 50 4800 hrs ,I bought it sight unseen from another state. The guy told me it was overheating he delivered it to me. I lucked out all it need was a radiator and some work on the throttle other than that no other issues. It was a good little machine I kept it for 6 years but really wasn't big enough for what I wanted to do with it, I need a 60 to 100 size machine. I'm like you I don't like the backhoe swing or a offset boom options to many wear points, but they are great for plumbers and people that need those options. I add a manual thumb to mine. Great tutorial on what to look for when buying one. I was lucky to grow up with a dad that owned a construction company so I learned early on what to look for when buying a machine. I have run and hauled machines from the smallest to the 1200s over the years

[@markmiller7191]

Matt, all your videos are informative and entertaining. Always look forward to all your videos no matter what the content is. Continue the good work.

[@TutorialPanda]

Thank you so much for being religious with grease. I've ran backhoes, trackhoes, dozers, ect for a few years. A grease gun is a MUST! I always keep one in the cab with me along with a fresh tube. Grease when done with work at the end of the day. You can never over grease equipment.

[@castirondude]

I bought me a Milwaukee battery powered grease gun. As lazy as it sounds , making tasks easier helps a lot in keeping the routine.

[@sheepdog457]

Excellent content! A prospective buyer can save thousands of dollars and untold headaches by heeding this advice.

[@stevebeck9470]

Great advice thanks , when you said watch out for poorly greased machines , also watch out for well greased ones that appear tight until you run them for 30 mins and then go all sloppy

[@NICK-uy3nl]

The main things is, PRESSURE WASH the machine after every job, that way you can quickly spot oil leaks and broken parts and replace them, washing also stops mud getting packed into bushings and bearings, the mud turns very abrasive after it dries up and starts eating into parts.

[@simon2428]

Thanks Matt for the review. Personally I’d keep the machine, what you have there is an ideal series of vlogs showing it’s refurbishment and re paint. That way you will get another 10 years without concern.

[@anthonybanks2979]

sounds to me like you know your machine , and you should keep her . pointing out the grease and its life thats good stuff ! Love the videos !

[@benc3699]

This is definitely the most informative video I've seen on the subject, great work!

[@TheDuckofDoom.]

It'd be nice if wheeled excavators were more common in North America. Tracks are great for dozing or soft ground but the cost and maintenance is way higher, and difference in travel speed for large properties is pretty major. I think the number of tractors with backhoes in the USA is what kept wheeled excavators from becoming more popular.

[@goodboyringo9716]

One thing you said I don't agree with and that is warming the engine and opening the radiator cap . I think you did a great job talking about the machine and what to look out for . Your machine does need repair and I have seen how much work they are but please get fixing it , it will be to your advantage and it will be worth more .

[@2H80vids]

Just a suggestion from someone who knows heehaw about excavators: keep the machine you know; do the repairs; then start maintaining it properly. You know what you're doing and you said yourself that it's laziness, so sort out the issues with the machine and start a proper maintenance regime. Apart from anything else, you won't get a good price for *that* machine if the buyer follows your own recommendations when viewing it. Very interesting to watch and, as usual, educational as well as entertaining. Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@jonka1]

That gets my vote.

[@paulharveu526]

I would add, if it has a hydralic jack hammer, run away. Those demo hammers put a ton of vibration stress on the machine, and often have early problems.

[@tonyking9235]

may i make a suggestion . if you bye precision flat stones you can stone them nicks and burrs out with out eney damage to the rods . you could save your seals .

[@osbornebay944]

Very useful information. I had a 96 EX50 grey imports, 4600hours, 2011, R Red center spool seals, a few hoses, pins, rubber tracks over 10 years of good work (home builder), sold it by 8800hours, with everything working properly, real quality excavator, love it.

[@dennishayes65]

Do your due diligence ! That’s one of your favorite sayings !

[@tedspens]

I doubt I'll be using an excavator anytime soon and certainly won't be buying one, yet I can't stop watching your videos. Thanks for all the tips!

[@allensandven0]

Used equipment is like leasing a car if it the only way you can afford to get into it that’s ok just remember every hour that rolls over the meter is some depreciation try to find the least amount of hours you can afford . The rental company’s sell off equipment generally at predetermined hours metered that maximizes resale with rental profitability and where the two curves intersect is the point that typically (but not always) either send them to aution or sell it out right and either way you can end up with a good reliable machine with two thirds of life left on the meter . But as of right now used equipment has been at a premium up in Pacific NW . Matt is spot on when inspecting a machine and if your spending a ton you wouldn’t be here anyway but just have a pro do the full inspection well worth it in long run !

[@themachinerydoctor9117]

Getting into heavy equipment and this video has been super useful. Thanks, Matt

[@richardbishop7428]

Hope I'm adding my little bit, i am absolutely hooked on your vids, you are the best you tuber of all time!

[@kirkcoulter1180]

Thank you Matt! Very much appreciated. Unless you have the experience..... you never know.

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

That was most informative! I'm never likely to buy one, but I spent many years as a mechanic! I was fascinated! Thank you Matt! :-)

[@shanco73]

Great Video Matt, Keep it, fix it and make videos of the repair work!

[@pugman205]

I will agree with you on Doosan products. Though this comes from the experience with their forklift trucks rather than with a digger. We have them in work, they are not exactly good trucks, agricultural at best and while we had them for less than a year, one had already broken down, theyre not comfortable or particularly ergonomic either. I'll be honest I'd much prefer a Hyster over one, but as a big company goes, they get the cheapest to 'save money'

[@gregbrown4962]

Thanks for the excavator tutorial. I've always wanted a mini excavator for use on my property. Kubota, Bobcat and Takeuchi are the brands that I see being used around my area.

[@karaayers2867]

I have a small mid 90s takeuchi tb015. Its been an awesome machine, it will dig flat out all day on 5 gallons of diesel. If I hit something that won't move, it will try it's best to drag itself in the hole towards China. I will get a bigger machine one day, but this little 3500lb digger will still be with me for small jobs. It's a big $ maker and time saver.

[@stex1985]

Thanks for taking the time to show us all the no no’s 👍.

[@georgeparker7409]

Also a recently cleaned engine or anything else which could indicate a recent problem.

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Very good advice Matt Lord I've seen and used some completely scrapyard ready equipment. thank you , do take good care Central California watching.

[@okiekidd6091]

Excellent information Matt. Right on with everything. I have a 2001 Bobcat 331E and love it. Like I tell my customers "my shovel works better than yours".

[@richardtaylor2449]

Thanks Matt from the UK Andrew Camarata likes the Komatsu/Yanmar and he agrees with you it's the most reliable to him too than any other brands they break and you can't do the damn job! :))

[@jamescole1786]

Hey Matt, love yur no nonsense style. Much enjoy all yur equip utilized. Stay safe thanks 4 all yur time & effort filming & editing. Go Matt go!

[@markb2860]

I bought an excavator at richie bros a couple years ago. It needed a lot of parts and other than trying to track down parts for a grey market machine most of the repairs weren't too bad, its pretty fun to work on. I will say though that it's one of the handiest things I have ever bought, I use it all the time on our acreage. The only problem is now I want a bigger one.... haha

[@Used-Excavators-mj2nc]

It sounds like relaly bad bro, I can help you to find the best one

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

My wife from across the room: "No, you CANNOT buy an excavator". But it's useful :(

[@aserta]

I mean, how else are you supposed to bring the beer keg all the way up to your window? It's such a sensible solution.

[@Unclejake]

My wife wants me to sell my 94 Bronco...she thinks it’s an old truck.

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

@@Unclejake she don't realize those are going up in value. It like an investment.

[@tomjoad1363]

Why bother with women ? ^^

[@olgrizz_____5373]

Amen!!!

[@rushedscheduledfun3963]

I enjoying buying the old beat up equipment. It always turns out someone just was fed up with it. Or thats the last money I will put into it. Just finished a Ford 1700 backhoe.

[@eggsaladsandwhiches]

The only thing I’m looking for is the videos that come out of people fixing them. That’s prime entertainment.

[@jford24558]

Komatsu makes a great machine. I have a PC150 I bought about 18 mouths ago with 8000 hrs on it and it runs as if was new.

[@rodmackenzie9986]

Thanks Matt , your matter of fact open commentary is good and informative . Good stuff from South Africa ,

[@ricklarouche4105]

Lots of good advice..

[@BIGJEEPTRUCK]

Rubber tracks are super easy to change out. You also forgot to mention that a lot of skid steer attachments will fit on a mini ex too. For seats km manufacturing is the best for seats.

[@DieselCreek]

Skid steer attachments do no fit an excavator, for that you would need to make or buy an adaptor to the quick couple of the machine but there isn’t much call for it other than maybe an auger or brush cutter or a set of forks

[@BIGJEEPTRUCK]

Diesel Creek I’m also forgetting all of our equipment has tag quick couplers we are always swapping out for augers or breakers.

[@masonscott2341]

mini bottle jack between link and tack frame jack tracks up to check top roller status

[@DieselCreek]

On these smaller machines I just use a shovel or digging bar

[@johnbauer7787]

Thanks for the review. I learned a lot about what to look for.

[@DieselCreek]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrZombies24]

Another good thing to do especially if your spending some bigger money is get an oil analysis.

[@youseetime]

Very useful information, Matt thanks.

[@MegaTapdog]

thanks buddy, buying a small unit this summer to do tree and stump clean up in back acreage at my properties in bc cariboo, i appreciate the insights.

[@cal28kim]

I had exactly the same 75 utility! I still genuine komatsu o-rings 4 the flatface pipe & ram coupling

[@Used-Excavators-mj2nc]

Do you want to buy a new one?

[@cal28kim]

@@Used-Excavators-mj2nc I have a Doosan 225 now!!

[@Used-Excavators-mj2nc]

@@cal28kim cool

[@Granddad92]

You mentioned looking for hydraulic leaks, I always looked at my hoses too. Look for a bulge or a place the hose looks like it's kinked or has a sharp bend in it. That usually means the hose is leaking internally and will blow out, which could be dangerous.

[@dmwi1549]

Good information. Helpful video Have you noticed availability of parts after a certain age is a problem for any of the brands and types of equipment you’ve had?

[@RustyNail5856]

Great video. lot of info. thanks for the video.

[@studentfoevamo]

Thanx Matt I'm lookin for a smaller machine that can run a brush cutter too Would be helpful if you did a video on that

[@danmartin9558]

I bought a yanmar from richie Brothers japan vio40-5b 9300lb machine with 852hrs 2009 model year for 17000 for purchase and shipping. Very happy with purchase.

[@beast64375]

Yanmars usually don't need an overhaul for at least 10,000 hours, just all depends. Ive seen some go for 25,000 before needing one. I just rebuilt the engine in my 1977 ym2000. Only reason it needed it was the previous owner didn't cold start it correctly and used starting fluid. NEVER USE STARTING FLUID ON A YANMAR. It will instantly screw the rings and sleeves with the first use. Ask me how I know.

[@bryansnewandused]

My old 1966 ford backhoe dont have that much boom swing pin play. Holy cow I was nervous with a 3/32 of play. Im good now. My machine has been beat bent and bruised. The old stuff is better built in my mind. I like your videos. Im only a 2 hour drive from you or less. Im near somerset. I almost got enough loot to buy a skid steer.

[@philip4588]

Nice, only need a parts map what you have gone thru so we can print out and check for ourself.

[@peterbienvenu9033]

MATT really love your videos keep it up !

[@DieselCreek]

Thanks! Will do!

[@tectalabyss]

Hi Matt. Up to you but has for me I would replace the seals and Pins,bushing,Etc. Cheaper than another machine, unless of course there are major problems. Has always I liked,shared. All my best.

[@francoisbouvier7861]

Thanks for the knowledge. Greatly appreciated.

[@jonka1]

You could mention cracks/welded repairs to the structural frames and whether the frame/arm is straight or out of true.

[@DieselCreek]

very true! its something I kind of assume people would know but if they are watching stuff like this they might not...

[@clemclemm]

@@DieselCreek i am a newbie, so i don't know anything, unless someone tell me it :-) i learn all the time. thanks for that video by the way !

[@finleypatmalcolm]

Good job explaining the inspection Matt

[@stevensexton5801]

Main valve and pump are also important to look at for leaks and other problems

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

I have been looking for one of those for years to give me more that my bobcat skid steer can't do. When I find a good deal, I don't have the money. When I have some money, I can't find a deal. Lol. You gave sone good info and a few things I haven't thought about. Thanks.

[@briancasey4917]

Overhead crane would be a big help on a rebuild. Cost of rebuild against cost of new or newer machine and how much income it produces. .

[@JasonSmith-vd1sz]

Another good video but like you pointed out if you get another excavator it too is going to have problems if you buy used. Keep up the good work!

[@shanehurenkamp50]

A friend of mine has a Mitsubishi Diesel 3 tonne forklift. It has 14.5K Hours on the original engine. It's getting a little smokey now but it's the valve guides and seals thats causing it.

[@kwshilts]

Great advice. Repair or sell you have to crunch the numbers.

[@johnobiro5202]

Good little machine.

[@DeanFamilyAcres]

Solids review / info. Always enjoy your videos.

[@loz11968]

Sometimes the devil you know is better but a new machine brings new enthusiasm lol

[@Meyhaven71]

That's a great idea bringing a grease gun to buy. Never thought of that

[@GrandsonofKong]

Doubt I'd ever be buying one but still cool to watch and learn! As for me (and very selfish reasons), seeing videos of the repairs you noted would have me watching each one! But it's pretty clear you have plenty to do too!

[@craigsmith8217]

Paint primer's job is to protect the metal. The topcoat protects the primer.

[@marcryvon]

Not really. Basic spray can primer is porous so the top coat adheres. So it does not prevent water to get to the metal Modern primer/sealers are something else though...

[@gihanbuthgamuwa2594]

good ! educational as well as entertaining. it shed some light on oe of my next purchases thank you !!

[@ginog4480]

Very god information. Well thought out and great delivery.

[@russelltrupia4479]

This was a very good video on the does and don'ts on buying a piece of machinery.

[@imchris5000]

tractor supply sells a grease zerk clearer it works really good. the only time I have to change a zerk is when its bent or broke off

[@johnhoward592]

Super helpful. I'm in the market for one and learned alot here. Thanks.

[@jojomk642]

i have a case excavator it has 9300 hours now with no major problems no bad machine

[@haydenuk02]

Excellent work and thanks for the content stay safe and take care

[@WetCoaster]

Look for a former Muni/Government equipment. It will normally be a lower hour, well maintained machine.

[@morgansword]

Wondering if it had the water filter or you just added the stuff to the radiator to keep the internal components from cavitating... I know its now as bad now days as it was in my time. Although cramped for space, they are made to come apart. I find that the cylinders are hardest to get moving again.. what ever happened to the two bolts and take out...the rope seal.??. You certainly haven't beat on it. They get scratched and if mine, would go under the roof with the 57 autocar. I loved working on them

[@dougterry7034]

Hydraulic motor and filters would be a good additional thing to cover, it's all very well having tight pins an a smooth motor but if you need to try and sort a bad hydraulic motor.. $$$$ ..

[@TandD1w]

I’m finding myself tempted by a pc75uu. Same model as yours, but zero tail and offset boom. Probably a newer model. 3600 hours. How is Komatsu with gray market machines? Use would be a handy homeowner.

[@samuelbacon1596]

Matt thank you you’ve been very informative about what to look for in buying a piece of used equipment I’m looking at a mini excavator you’re right once you have them you don’t know how to live without them had skid steer in the past sold them to upgrade haven’t found the right deal yet take care stay safe happy holiday junkman do

[@waynetrain8033]

My son runs an excavator with twist wrist on it . He says it makes a world of difference when doing a job. Running that looks a lot more fun than paperwork 🤪🤪

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Is it just Me or is the Thumbs Hydraulic Cylinder Rod Look Bent maybe its just the Camera Angle 3:06 @Diesel Creek