Hydraulic systems are the heart of an excavator.Power, precision, lift capacity, digging strength — it all comes down to one thing: The hydraulic oil you choose. Pick the right oil, and your pumps, valves, cylinders, and final drives last thousands of extra hours.Pick the wrong oil, and you’ll destroy components faster than any operator mistake can. Most excavator owners know oil matters — but very few understand why  it matters.This blog breaks down the science, the logic, a

An Educational Guide for Excavator Owners, Mechanics & Fleet Managers in South Africa Turbochargers are one of the hardest-working components on any excavator engine. They spin at over 100,000 RPM , survive extreme heat, and feed the engine the extra air it needs to produce torque under heavy load. But here’s the part most people get wrong: A turbocharger is not just a “bolt-on part.” It’s a precision-engineered system that must match the engine’s airflow, exhaust pressure, t

An Educational Guide for Excavator Owners & Fleet Managers in South Africa When an excavator fails, most people blame the “big” components: The engine The hydraulic pump The final drive The swing motor But in reality, the silent killer behind most of those catastrophic failures isn’t the component itself. It’s dirty oil . Contaminated oil destroys engines, pumps, valves, and motors faster than any other factor—and it often goes unnoticed until thousands of rands evaporate in

Because Cheap Pumps Are the Fastest Way to Turn Your Excavator Into an Expensive Garden Ornament Let’s get something straight right from the start: If you buy a cheap aftermarket hydraulic pump for your excavator, you’re not “saving money.”You’re delaying the pain . And when that pain hits, it hits hard — blown hoses, slow hydraulics, cooked oil, trashed cylinders, destroyed spool valves, and a machine that suddenly works like it’s got emphysema. Hydraulic pumps are the heart

Because Some “Rebuilt” Parts Belong in a Scrap Bin — Not Inside Your Machine Let’s get brutally honest: The word “rebuilt”  gets abused in this industry more than an old rental excavator. Some rebuilt components are excellent  — done by real professionals using genuine OEM specs and proper tolerances. But others? They’re slapped together in a backyard workshop using whatever parts the rebuilder could find, guess, grind, weld, or pray into place.Those “rebuilt” parts will rob

How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Best OEM Components (and Not Expensive Scrap Metal) Buying used excavator parts can save your business a ton of money — but only if you know how to identify what’s high-quality and what’s a ticking time bomb . The harsh reality of the used parts world is this: There’s good stock…There’s bad stock…And then there’s the absolute horror show that some sellers try to pass off as “good condition.” At Vikfin, we’ve built our entire reputation on s

Field Edition — Practical Guide for Everyday Operators 1. INTRODUCTION Congratulations — you’re in control of one of the most powerful and versatile pieces of machinery on any site.This manual will help you operate your excavator safely, efficiently, and with confidence. It covers: Basic machine knowledge Daily inspections and maintenance Safe operating techniques Working on different terrains Transporting and parking Emergency procedures Whether you’re a new operator or an o

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

An excavator is only as strong as the heart beating inside it — and that heart is the engine. Whether you’re digging trenches, loading...

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...

Let’s be honest: excavators are the heavy metal rockstars of the construction world. They’re big, badass, and when they’re on point, they...

Whether you're knee-deep in a construction site or managing a fleet of machines from behind a desk, there’s one headache every excavator...

At Vikfin, we understand that when your excavator is down, time is money. Our mission is simple: to keep your machinery moving with...

In the rugged world of construction, mining, and earthmoving, excavators are the workhorses that keep projects moving. But even the...

In the world of heavy machinery, both excavators and TLBs (tractor-loader-backhoes) are crucial workhorses. While they may look similar...

When it comes time to sell your excavator, the goal is simple: get the best possible price while making the sale process smooth and...

At Vikfin, we understand that in the earthmoving industry, time is money. Every hour your excavator is down translates into lost...

When an excavator breaks down in the middle of a construction site, quarry, or remote mining location, moving it is no simple task. These...

Operating an excavator in wet conditions comes with unique challenges that demand caution, skill, and preparation. Heavy rain can affect...

The South African excavator market is being flooded with cheap aftermarket parts, luring buyers with their rock-bottom prices. But are...