Sawubona, boet! The Vikfin yard in Benoni is looking like a Komatsu Christmas tree right now. We’ve just put the finishing touches on stripping a proper high-hour Komatsu PC400-6, and the result is one of the fullest 40-tonne parts spreads we’ve had all year. The engine walked out the door within 48 hours (R128 000, thank you very much), and the main valve bank went to a mine in Mokopane yesterday, but literally everything else is still here, steam-cleaned, photographed, pric

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

When you think about maintaining your excavator, you probably picture greasing pins, checking hydraulic hoses, or replacing filters. But here’s a truth that separates the smart operators from the expensive repair stories — oil testing  is one of the most powerful, yet most overlooked tools in extending the life of your machine. In South Africa’s tough working environments — from the red dust of the Northern Cape to the coastal humidity of Durban — your excavator’s oil isn’t j

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 a machine as mighty as the Hitachi ZX520  rolls into Vikfin’s yard, you know something serious is about to happen. This isn’t your average teardown. This is a mechanical autopsy —the careful dismantling of one of Hitachi’s most powerful heavy-duty excavators to give new life to other machines still out there doing the hard yards. For contractors, operators, and fleet managers across South Africa, this is big news. Because every time Vikfin strips a giant like the ZX520,

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

If you’ve ever stood on a construction site and watched two excavators side by side — one with steel tracks grinding through the mud and another with rubber tyres rolling smoothly over asphalt — you’ve probably wondered: Why the difference? It’s not just about looks. The choice between a steel-tracked excavator  and a wheeled excavator  completely changes how the machine behaves, what kind of terrain it can handle, how it’s maintained, and even how the operator should think b

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

When your excavator goes down, the clock starts ticking — and every minute of downtime costs you money. The pressure is on, and the temptation is real: you find a cheaper, non-OEM part online, it looks close enough, and you think, “How bad could it be?” Well… bad enough to cost you an engine, a final drive, or your next big contract. Mixing non-OEM (aftermarket) parts into an excavator designed with precise OEM tolerances is like putting cheap tyres on a Ferrari. It might rol

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

In today’s world, efficiency  isn’t just about how much dirt your excavator can move in an hour — it’s also about how smartly you run your operation. And part of running smart means thinking about sustainability. Construction and mining companies are under growing pressure to reduce waste, limit emissions, and cut their environmental footprint — all while staying profitable. But there’s a simple, powerful way to do both: using used OEM excavator parts . When you buy from Vikf

In the earthmoving world, profit margins can be razor thin. Between fuel prices, operator wages, site delays, and maintenance, it doesn’t take much for a good month to turn bad.But there’s one area where you can make massive savings  without compromising performance — and that’s your parts strategy. If you’re still paying top dollar for new OEM parts or gambling on cheap aftermarket ones, you’re missing the sweet spot: tested, used OEM excavator parts  from a reputable suppli

Buying used excavator parts can be like walking through a scrapyard minefield — full of hidden gems and total junk, often side by side. One part could save your project thousands; the next could cost you your machine. In South Africa’s tough construction scene — where margins are tight and downtime kills — knowing how to tell a high-quality used OEM excavator part  from a worn-out dud isn’t just good business sense. It’s survival. This guide from Vikfin , South Africa’s leadi

In the world of heavy-equipment maintenance, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll face is whether to go with original equipment manufacturer (OEM)  parts or cheaper aftermarket  alternatives. For those working with excavators — especially contractors, fleet owners, and maintenance teams in South Africa — this isn’t just a theoretical debate. It’s a decision that impacts downtime, reliability, costs, and ultimately profitability. In this post, we’ll dig deep into why OEM e

Another powerhouse has rolled into the Vikfin yard — a machine that needs no introduction. We’re currently stripping a Caterpillar 323D , one of the most dependable 23-ton excavators ever built. Known for its balance of power, precision, and reliability, the CAT 323D is a legend on South African job sites. And now, its genuine CAT components are up for grabs — fully inspected, tested, and ready to keep your fleet running strong. From its rugged C6.4 Acert engine to its smooth

Another powerhouse has entered the Vikfin yard — and it’s one every operator knows and respects. We’re currently stripping a JCB JS220 , one of the UK’s most reliable and best-selling 22-ton excavators. Known for its balance of power, precision, and durability, the JS220’s components are in high demand — and we’re making them available to you, fully tested and ready for work. From the proven JCB Dieselmax engine to its smooth hydraulic system and heavy-duty undercarriage, eve

In the world of heavy machinery, parts are often as valuable — sometimes more so — than the machine itself. At Vikfin , we understand that even as a Komatsu PC350-8 comes to the end of its working life, its components still hold tremendous value. That’s why we’ve decided to strip and harvest every viable part from our PC350-8, ensuring each item is inspected, refurbished (where needed), and offered to buyers seeking reliability, performance, and value. In this blog, we’ll wal