A used excavator cost is a very important question. When you’re looking at buying an excavator and you’re unsure of the pricing, it’s a pain because you could miss out on great opportunities or overpay. By knowing what drives the cost of a used excavator, you’ll make great buying decisions. The used excavator cost can vary, so you must be informed about how pricing works and the state of the market and then know how to size up the value of what you’re looking at.
1,What Factors Affect a Used Excavator Cost?
The main elements driving a used excavator cost are the brand, the model, the number of hours of use, and the overall condition of the equipment. And, as you’d probably guess, a used CAT or Komatsu excavator cost more. These brands offer better performance and have a reputation for making more durable equipment. They have been in business for a long time, proving they make things that last. Their reputation serves them well on resale value.
Another factor to consider is the model of the equipment. Depending on the make, one model may cost more or less compared to another due to those different specifications and features. For instance, a larger excavator will cost more than a smaller excavator. An older excavator will cost less than a newer excavator. An excavator with an advanced technology package has more bells and whistles and will be more expensive.
Typically, the longer the equipment has been used, the lower the price of the equipment. However, you still need to look at the condition of the equipment. An excavator that has been run a lot but is still in great shape won’t be worth any less money to you because you can still get the same amount of work out of it. However, a well-maintained, low-hour excavator that looks like it just came off the showroom floor will still cost you money. Even if it’s 20 years old, you’ll still have to pay a lot to take it away from its current owner.
2,What Is the Price Range for a Used Excavator?
But just like anything else in the market, prices run the gamut, from a few thousand dollars up into the tens of thousands of dollars. So it’s hard to zero in on what the actual a used excavator cost is, but you need to have an idea because you’re going to run into a bunch of used equipment for sale. For example, a used CAT320D excavator usually sells for 30,000 to 50,000. It depends on its condition and if it’s got any extra features. So, as you can see, with such a wide pricing scale, you need to know how to assess used equipment to get the most bang for your buck.
How do you know what’s a fair used excavator cost for an honest-to-goodness well-used piece of iron, steel, and rubber? The price you pay depends on the age of the unit, the number of hours on the meter, and how well the unit was taken care of. Those are the key factors. But you’ll also find the market you’re in will dramatically affect the price you can expect to pay for something. If you’re in an area with a high demand for construction equipment, you’re going to pay more than somebody in a rural area with no demand. So the price you can expect to pay will vary with the demand in that area.
Having a price range in mind will help you budget and pick the right excavator that fits within your need and price range. When getting ready to buy, get quotes from anybody and everybody. Compare your quote against quotes from other dealers. It’ll come in handy and ensure you get a great deal and know the value you’re getting when you do decide to plunk down your hard-earned money.
3,How Much Is a Used Excavator Worth?
So, when you’re looking at determining what specific used excavator cost is the real price, you have to factor in how old the piece of equipment is, how many hours it has on the meter, and how well it has been taken care of. Normally, the price of used equipment goes down over time, but if the equipment is in excellent shape, the price might remain higher. When the maintenance history is documented and up-to-date, the seller can show you through records that the oil’s been changed every 250 hours. That can justify a higher asking price because it tells you that the equipment has been cared for.
Do your research to find out what a used excavator cost should be. You can learn a lot by looking at what’s for sale and what they’re asking for it. You learn what kind of equipment is out there for sale, how much it’s going for, and use that to make decisions on what to buy or whether you’re getting a good deal. It won’t make you an expert in equipment, but it will help you be less stupid and help you make better decisions when buying equipment.
In addition to the main points above, also consider the specific features the unit has. For example, a used excavator cost with a thumb already on it jumps up quite a bit in value compared to one without a thumb. An excavator with a hydraulic breaker option is worth more than the same machine without. That’s because somebody can do more with it than the base machine. Somebody can utilize that hydraulic breaker to do another task. There are lots of things the base machine can perform, but now after adding an attachment, they can do even more stuff.
Now the excavator does more than just move dirt. Now it can break up concrete or rocks. You have the thumb, now you can grab something big or delicate. What additional capabilities do you need off your next excavator to meet your specific needs? How can you leverage that into a better deal? By looking at used excavator sales, you can figure out how to leverage those needs.
4,How to Evaluate the Cost-Effectiveness of a Used Excavator?
That’s how you figure out the value of a used excavator cost. What are you looking to do with it? What extra attachments or features could you make use of that will let you get more work done faster? Park your machine before you need to change the tracks, need a front idler, and the like, to find out a used excavator cost. You can also surf the internet or hit the parts departments of the distributors for the brands you’re considering so you can start to figure out how much dealers want for parts so when and if you do need something, you have a better idea what it’s going to cost you to repair.
Then, use a little empathy and put yourself in the other guy’s shoes to figure out what you should offer to buy the machine to get the most value. As you can see, because a used excavators cost a lot of money, sizing up a used one can save you a ton of money. And money saved is money in your pocket.
However, how do you know if you’re looking at a used excavator cost or not? Look to your left and right. If you don’t see any other equipment, the price to buy the equipment you’re looking at is irrelevant. But if you do see other equipment around, look at the price, weigh the cost, performance, and maintenance, then ask how much to get those details, finally compare them. Also, figure in what it’s going to cost if your equipment needs to be maintained or fixed and add that to your total cost. Finally, don’t overlook the availability and price of parts.
Once you’ve become good at checking a used excavator cost over and sizing it up, you can determine the real value. Now you can ask yourself if it’s worth the money. How would you know? Call someone who runs the type of equipment you’re considering buying or a mechanic who works on them. It won’t take them long to tell you if the piece is a shiny turd or something good that’s still holding up. Depend on the experience of others to help you decide if that piece of equipment is worth the money so you can make intelligent decisions. Plan your work, work your plan. Happy digging.
5,What to Check on a Used Excavator cost?
Before you buy, make sure to check specific a few key items on a used excavator cost. Make sure you check the engine, at least the sticks and the buckets on the hydraulics, the track or tires, and the boom or arm and the bucket. While you inspect the a used excavator cost for sale, verifying the condition of these items during your inspection is a great idea. Each of these items is a significant part of the performance of a used excavator. So make sure you take the time to look at these items when you see the used excavator for sale. Check to see what kind of condition they are in as you walk around the piece.
Engine: Check the engine for leaks, listen for any unusual noises, and assess the quality of the oil. A well-maintained engine will crank right up, run smoothly, and not give you any trouble.
Hydraulics: Look at the hydraulics for leaks, and make sure everything works right on the machine. If you spring a leak in your hydraulics, you’re going to pay a lot of money to fix it. Those leaks equal big bucks.
Tracks: Check the tracks. Are they worn out? Are the tracks straight on the undercarriage? If they aren’t, the tension is set up wrong or the tracks are worn out, and you’re looking at buying a headache that will cost you money. Worn tracks create all kinds of problems. Your excavator won’t be able to move right because the tracks are all wonky.
Bucket: Look at the bucket on the end of the stick. Make sure to check for wear and tear. The bucket is how you make money with your machine. How it looks will directly affect how well you fill your pocket with cash. So check out the bucket.
Cab: Ensure that all controls are functional and that the operator’s seat is comfortable. A good cab enhances productivity.
Make sure everything is working and nothing needs repair. For any problems you find, you get a credit against the cost of the repair or have the work completed before you take the equipment in your name. It helps keep your money where it belongs—in your pocket. Another step you may want to take when you find used excavators for sale is to pay a professional inspection service to look over the machine front to back before you part with your money.
6,How Many Hours Should a Used Excavator Have?
Hours: The number of hours on the used excavator is a big deal because it affects the price. Anything over 5,000 hours is considered high hours, so the piece will be cheaper to buy. What’s considered a lot of hours depends on the work they’re doing. 3,000 hours for a ditcher in that dirt in the Woodlands area is the equivalent of 5,000 in hard rock in Phoenix. So do a little investigating over the type of hours the equipment has on it.
For example, if an excavation contractor uses a piece of equipment with 5,000 hours on it, that’s not a big deal because it depends on the type of hours the piece has. They get a lot of hours running at a slow idle or barely moving. The pool company’s 1,500 hours is the equivalent of 20 years of use compared to an excavation contractor’s 5,000. Check out the hours but also know the type of work and the maintenance history will all impact the value or price for a used excavator.
If you hammer a used piece of equipment with about 5,000 hours, you’re entirely different machine. 1,500 hours on a piece of equipment used by a pool company during a season when they tear it to pieces because they work the machine hard for a few months is the equivalent of them running the machine for 20 years straight. Look at how the equipment’s been used and maintained through its total life to help you make better decisions. Know the value, and ask yourself, is it worth the money to reduce your risk when it’s time to buy. Make a good decision when you look at the used piece of equipment.
7,What Brand of Excavator Is Most Reliable?
Go with a reputable brand because they are more reliable and the after-sales support is better. A CAT, Komatsu, or Sany costs more used than buying the no-name brand. They give you better performance and reliability. They are brands that have a reputation of quality over several years of service. That quality and past performance are another reason these pieces have a higher a used excavator cost.
Each of the brands has its strength and weaknesses. A CAT is known for its robust construction and longevity of its pieces. CAT may not have all the bells and whistles that some other brands have, but they are durable, robust, and run for a long time. If you want something less expensive to run or use the Komatsu. They get better fuel efficiency than the other brands and have more advanced technology features than CAT. Sany offers competitive pricing so if you’re on a tight budget, you might want to look at the Sany. Its price is attractive and has good features so you can be competitive in your market.
8,What to Check Before Starting an Excavator?
Before you crank up a used excavator cost, do the necessary safety checks. These include checking the fluids, looking for hydraulic leaks, and inspecting for anything funny with the hydraulics. Finally, make sure the controls work right. This check isn’t just for safety but could also impact the price of a used excavator cost. If a piece has been well taken care of, its maintenance history is up-to-date, an important feature potential buyers will pay for that used piece of equipment. It’s a quick way to size up a used excavator today.
9,How to Find the Right Used Excavator?
Find a good place to buy used excavators. A site like Alibaba or Made-In-China is a great resource to find used equipment. They usually have hundreds of listings, so you get a good feel about what’s for sale and what it’s going to cost you. You can compare a lot of equipment left, right, and center. Plus, check to see how long they’ve been in business and their supplier ratings. Be sure to check them out entirely before you pay money. That’s how you find a used excavator cost.
Also, check with local equipment dealers and local equipment auctions that might have equipment you can check out in person without having to travel thousands of miles. Plus, the benefit of showing up at a local dealer or local equipment auction is you get to check out the equipment. And, if Google doesn’t have the whole scoop, they’ll tell you how well the piece of equipment has been taken care of while it’s been for sale on their lot.
That’s more of what you’ll need to size up a used excavator. When you’re searching for a used excavator cost, use the dealer and local auctions to get a feel for the market, what’s available, and who has a good reputation. Use that to help you in your search for a used excavator.
Finally, talk to other operators, or the guy next door to you, to see where they look for equipment, and if they know of anybody they’d recommend. That’s a great way to find out who has the best equipment at the best a used excavator cost versus the supplier to avoid like the plague because they screw everybody they can. It’s about who you know to help you make better decisions. That’s how you find a used excavator cost and a used excavator cost in today’s market. Trend on.
Summary
Knowing the value and a used excavator cost can help you make better decisions when you buy. So don’t be stupid. Don’t just buy when you see this piece of iron, steel, and rubber. Stay smart out there in your world. Safety first. Go slow. Make money. Good bye.