When you look under the hood of many Japanese excavators — and quite a few Korean and European machines — there’s a good chance you’ll find a Mitsubishi engine quietly doing its job. Mitsubishi’s industrial diesel range has earned a reputation for reliability, simplicity, torque-rich performance, and long service life. Whether you’re running a 1.5-ton mini excavator or a 20-ton earth-mover, Mitsubishi has produced an engine for that class. This extended guide dives into the f

Let’s cut through the marketing bullshit: when you see a giant excavator, wheel loader or other earth-moving beast in South Africa (or anywhere), there’s a very good chance the engine heart under the hood comes from Perkins — a company owned by Caterpillar. Their relationship shapes how big machines move dirt.We’ll trace: the history of Perkins, how Caterpillar acquired it, why it matters for earth-moving gear, the technical/repair implications (our bread & butter at Vikfin),

When you watch an excavator in action, it’s easy to focus on the big stuff — the roaring engine, the swinging boom, the bucket biting into the earth. But behind every precise movement, there’s a powerhouse component working under immense pressure to make it all happen: the dipper arm cylinder . It’s one of those parts that most operators only think about when it starts leaking — but by then, you’re already losing power, precision, and money. At Vikfin , South Africa’s trusted

When it comes to excavators, most operators think power means horsepower, torque, or hydraulic muscle. But there’s another kind of power hiding down below — one that doesn’t get the spotlight but literally keeps the whole machine moving. It’s the track adjuster , and without it, your excavator wouldn’t get far. This small but mighty component ensures your tracks stay tight, your undercarriage stays aligned, and your productivity stays on track — literally. At Vikfin , South A

Your excavator’s engine isn’t just another component — it’s the heart of your machine. When it’s healthy, everything else flows smoothly: power, productivity, and profit. But when it starts to struggle, the whole operation suffers. And here’s the kicker — most engine failures aren’t sudden. They’re slow-motion disasters caused by neglect, shortcuts, or the wrong parts. In this post, we’ll unpack exactly how engine wear creeps up on you, how preventative maintenance keeps mone

There’s one sound every excavator operator dreads — the grinding, groaning death rattle of a failing final drive. It’s like your machine is screaming for mercy while your wallet quietly cries in the corner. The final drive is the powerhouse of your excavator’s movement system. It transfers hydraulic power into track rotation — which means when it goes, your entire machine goes with it. No tracks, no work, no profit. And yet, it’s one of the most commonly neglected — and most

If you run excavators in South Africa, you already know: keeping them moving isn’t just about buying machines — it’s about keeping them alive.And when things break (because they will  break), your real profits come down to one question: “Can I get quality replacement parts — fast and affordably?” That’s where two of the biggest names in the industry come into focus: Volvo  and Doosan . Both are powerhouse brands with loyal followings, solid engineering reputations, and huge g

When you think about what kills profitability in the heavy equipment game, you probably picture catastrophic breakdowns — snapped hydraulic lines, seized engines, or a final drive that decides to commit suicide mid-project. But here’s the truth most operators learn too late: It’s not the big failures that drain your profits. It’s the small, silent ones — like leaks. That tiny drip of hydraulic oil? That faint smell of diesel? That slow coolant loss you top up once a week? The

When it comes to the anatomy of an excavator, most operators and mechanics immediately think about the boom, bucket, or hydraulic pump. But deep inside the undercarriage and swing frame lies one of the most critical — yet least appreciated — structural components of the whole machine: the X-frame . It doesn’t move oil or lift dirt, but the X-frame  forms the structural spine  of your excavator’s lower body. It’s what keeps the tracks properly aligned, the upper structure stab

When you think of the powerhouse that drives an excavator, your mind probably jumps to massive hydraulic cylinders, roaring diesel...

Excavators are the workhorses of the construction, mining, and forestry industries. Whether you’re trenching, digging foundations, or...

Every contractor knows this pain: the site is running, the crew is on the clock, and then— bam —your excavator coughs up a final drive or...

When an excavator breaks down, every minute matters. In industries like construction, mining, and infrastructure development, downtime...

There’s a universal truth in heavy equipment ownership: machines don’t die of old age – they die of neglect.  And when it comes to...

Ask any excavator owner what they worry about most, and you’ll hear the usual suspects: engines, hydraulic pumps, final drives – the...

Engines are the muscle. Hydraulics are the lifeblood. Steel tracks are the legs. But the ECU?  That’s the brain. And when the brain...

Hydraulic systems are the muscle of your excavator. Without them, your boom, stick, and bucket wouldn’t move an inch. They’re what give...

When you own or operate an excavator, you already know it’s not just a machine — it’s the beating heart of your construction or mining...

When you think of an excavator’s strength, you might picture the massive boom lifting tonnes of rock, the arm digging through hard-packed...

When your excavator’s hydraulic system goes down, it’s not just a minor hiccup — it’s a productivity killer. Every hour your machine is...