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

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 heavy-duty legend has made its way into the Vikfin yard — and we’re giving it a second life. We’re currently stripping a Daewoo Solar 220LC-V , one of the most popular 22-ton class excavators ever produced. Its parts are now available for purchase, fully inspected and ready for action. From the trusted Doosan DB58T engine to its robust hydraulic system and undercarriage, every component from this workhorse is being recovered, cleaned, and tested for reliability. Wheth

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 people think of excavators, they usually picture raw hydraulic power, heavy steel, and giant diesel engines. But there’s another...

Excavators are engineering marvels. They rip through rock, lift enormous loads, and stretch their arms into trenches as if they were made...

Excavators are built to dig, lift, and shift. But none of that would be possible without one often-overlooked system: the swing...

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

"So, which is better—Volvo or CAT?" If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that question, I’d be writing this from a yacht instead...

"What’s that creaking sound when I swing the house?" That, my friend, might just be the sound of your profits crying. Swing bearings and...

If excavators had gravestones, most would read: "Here lies a hardworking machine. Taken too soon by dirty hydraulic fluid." It sounds...

"It was working fine yesterday." If we had a rand for every time an excavator owner said that before calling us about a dead final drive,...

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...