Buying a used excavator - what to look for? Dont get fooled by shiny paint

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Our experience with the PC 30 at Morong says that dont be fooled by looks

Bring a mechanic, and inspect:

     1.  Number of hours (most remove the odo and say its 1,500 hours or less;  (probably understated by 4,000 hours)

     2.  Check the under carriage:

          1.  The sprocket

          2.   The rollers

          3.    The pins    

                if 2 and 3 are shiny, then its worn out

         4.    The tracks  -  do they move or slide a lot

                                      are they 5 to 10 mm in height, if less the machine is worn out

         5.   The final drive motor (unscrew the cover and check for rust or worn out hoses)

    3.  The engine:

        1.  The oil -  looking black

        2.   Vibration

        3.   Leaks

        4.   The filters

    4.   The hydraulics

       1.  Check the hoses and fittings for leaks

       2.   Check the fluid level

       3.   Check the filter

    5.  The boom and stick

      1.  Are there leaks in the hydraulic hoses?

      2.  Are there cracks anywhere in the boom and stick

      3.  Try to move the boom left and right with bucket on the ground.  See the play/or listen

    5.  Operation

      1.  Are there unusual noises when the motor are running

      2.  Are the boom and stick loose or vibrating

      3.  Does the machine move fast or slow?

      4.  Tilt the unit sideways, forward and backward?   Can the pressure hold out for more than 30

           seconds.

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