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

You’ve probably heard it before: “Oil is the lifeblood of your machine.”It’s not just a catchy saying—it’s literal truth. For an excavator, oil testing isn’t some optional extra you do when you’ve got time. It’s an essential diagnostic tool that tells you what’s going on inside the machine long before you hear the first grind, smell the first burn, or see the first warning light. Skipping oil testing is like ignoring your own blood test results because “you feel fine.” The re