What is an Excavator and how to buy or sell one online? | Truck & Trailer

Quick Links:

• What is an Excavator?
• What is an Excavator used for?
• How to find a used Excavator online?
• How to buy a used Excavator?
• How to sell a used Excavator?

What is an Excavator?

An excavator is a large construction machine made for digging out earth with its bucket to create trenches, holes, and foundations. This very common piece of machinery is often found on large construction job sites.

What is an Excavator used for?

The primary function of an excavator is to dig, but by swapping out the bucket for another attachment, excavators can also drive piles, clear brush, load and dump, grade a job site, and perform other heavy-duty tasks. Excavators are unique in that their cabins can rotate a full 360 degrees, making the operation of the exactor easier.

Excavator key components:

• Bucket Arm
• Rotating Cab
• Movable Tracks

Top Excavator brands listed on Truck & Trailer:

• Caterpillar
• Doosan
• Hitachi
• Hyundai
• JCB
• Komatsu
• Liugong
• Lovol
• Sumitomo
• Volvo
• Case
• Feeler
• Kobelco
• Liebherr
• Shantui
• Sino Plant
• Zoomlion

How to find a used Excavator online?

The best place to find an excavator is on Truck & Trailer. As the leading digital marketplace for construction machinery and equipment in South Africa, our website is home to a great number of excavators for sale.

Our category is easy to navigate and our users are presented with several filters so that they can find the correct excavator for the job.

When looking for an excavator, users will find new and used units for sale and can filter their search by make, price, region, year of manufacture, and the all-important hours of operation.

When a user selects their filters, the search results are automatically updated in the adverts display window located alongside the navigation bar. The results served to the users are the most relevant related to the initial search criteria.

Once a user has reviewed the initial search results, which display the basic relevant information related to the excavator being sold, they can then select the specific advert to view a more detailed advert listing. This then expands the advert to reveal a full product description, images, and lists of product-relevant specifications or information.

The listing will also show the seller's contact information.

How to buy a used Excavator?

When buying an excavator, there are many key factors buyers should consider:

• Establish why the excavator is being sold or try to get some idea of its working history.
• Understand its maintenance history and establish if it has had any previous damage or mechanical work done to it.
• Consider if any parts need immediate replacing, what they might cost, and if they are easily sourced.

Things to check out if you are a buyer:

• Inspect the bucket and attachments for wear and tear, scalloping, and integrity of bucket welds.
• Bucket Teeth: Check for any missing, loose, or worn teeth, or missing bolts.
• Boom and Stick: Check for spillage, re-welds, or dents.
• Hydraulic System: Check hoses for any breaks or scratches and check cylinders for leaks or damage.
• Check the slew ring for damage.
• Check the engine and its components.
• Check the steering, pedals, and controls.
• Check that the tracks and rollers work well.
• Check that the hour meter is correct.
• Check that the excavator size fits your needs.

And finally, check the general condition and structural integrity of the unit.

It would be beneficial to have an operator on hand to demonstrate the working order of the excavator to ultimately ensure you are making a sound investment.

How to sell a used Excavator?

When it comes to selling a used excavator, the best place to do this is on Truck & Trailer!

It is advised that as much information as possible is given about the excavator being sold. Information pertaining to the following points will go a long way in helping you to sell your excavator:

1. Sellers must provide all the basic listing information relating to the application, make, model, price, hours of operation, and year of manufacture.
2. When it comes to providing a detailed description of the unit, sellers should provide information in their listing about the general condition of the following:

• The bucket and attachments for wear and tear, scalloping, and integrity of bucket welds.
• Bucket Teeth: For any missing, loose, or worn teeth, or for missing bolts.
• Boom and Stick: For spillage, re-welds, or dents.
• Hydraulic Systems regarding hoses for any breaks or scratches and cylinders for leaks or damage.
• Slew ring for damage.
• The engine and its components.
• Steering, pedals, and controls.
• The tracks and rollers.
• And finally, describe the general condition and structural integrity of the unit.

Sell your Excavator on Truck & Trailer today!