If you’re in the market to purchase an excavator, you’ll need to understand the factors that influence the price so that you can determine whether you are getting a good deal or not. An excavator can have a hard life because it’s used to move heavy loads, dig into hard rocks and soil, and traverse rough ground. They are often left out in all weathers.
Hours used
Excavators have a meter which logs how many hours they have been in use. This is a crude measure because the machine may have been idling a long time or could have been in full swing. It’s best to consider this with the overall condition.
Overall condition
An excavator that has obviously been looked after will attract a premium. This means a minimum of cosmetic damage, hoses that are in good condition, a bucket that is not rusted, etc. Taking a look in the cab, assess the wear on the seat and controls. Ideally it should be clean and tidy when you are assessing it (anyone selling an excavator without cleaning it is probably not the type of person who would have looked after it through its life).
Ease of use
Some excavators are known to be easier to operate. This might be because of the calibration of the controls or that they have equipment such as reversing cameras and . All operators should undergo excavator training to learn safe operation on a worksite.
Capacity
Usually, the bigger the capacity of the excavator, the bigger the price as it can move more material. However, there are excavators that are so big that they have a limited market, and there’s a sweet spot of excavators that many people want.
Attachments included
If it comes with attachments, such as different-sized buckets or an auger or demolition hammer, these have a value. Attachments can cost from a few hundred dollars to many thousands. If the attachment is hydraulic, ensure that you check it works.
Price when new
The original price will have some bearing on a resale price, but as time goes on this gets less and less.
Local market demand
If excavators are in demand in a particular area, then there might not be enough supply to be able to satisfy demand, therefore prices could increase.
Delivery costs
You’ll need a truck and trailer for a large excavator, and this adds to the cost (unless you can transport it yourself).
Ease of transport
Some excavators are easier to transport than others due to their features and size. This could affect demand for that particular excavator, pushing up its price.
Ability to get parts and servicing
In a local area, if there is no service agent, then it will be harder to sell an excavator as there’s an additional cost to keep it running. There are people bringing in brands from Asia which are new to the market, and may not have an established service network (or even people willing to work on them). Take this into consideration with your purchase.
Reputation
If an excavator has a reputation for reliability, this can influence its resale price.
Warranty remaining
If there’s some warranty time remaining, this is appealing to a purchaser who will know that in the event of a qualifying breakage or failure, it will be covered or partially covered.
Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above
