Buying a used excavator sight unseen is the biggest risk in used machinery trade. This guide walks through the checks that matter.
Engine and hydraulics
Ask for a cold start video. The engine should start within a few seconds without smoke beyond normal. On the hydraulic side, every function must cycle smoothly under load — no jerking, no drift.
Undercarriage
Track wear is expensive to fix. Ask for photos of the track links and rollers with a ruler for scale, and have the seller measure sag.
Papers
Confirm the machine’s serial number plate matches the documents, and check for customs and export history.
If the seller can’t produce a video for any check, that check is failed. Walk away.