A Brutally Honest Guide for Contractors Who Are Tired of Being Screwed Over Let’s not dance around it. The used excavator parts market in South Africa is a jungle —and most suppliers are hyenas. You already know the type: “We’ve got stock” (they don’t) “It’s 100% OEM, boss” (it’s not) “Machine was running” (it wasn’t) “We’ll courier it today” (nope) “Looks the same, so it should fit” (it won’t) If you’ve been in the construction or plant hire game for more than five minutes,

Behind the Scenes of Keeping SA Excavators Alive If you think selling used excavator parts is just about storing a bunch of old engines, pumps, and final drives in a dusty warehouse, think again. A day at Vikfin  is chaos with a method, grit with precision, and coffee-fueled decision-making on a borderline heroic scale. Let’s take you behind the scenes — so you can see exactly why South African contractors trust us over any backyard operator or online auction snake oil salesm

Stop Gambling With Cheap Parts — Your Machine Deserves Better Let’s cut the crap. South African contractors are under pressure to cut costs, hit deadlines, and keep machines running . The temptation? Cheap aftermarket parts. They look okay, they fit… sometimes. But here’s the cold, hard truth: aftermarket parts are a gamble . And the house usually wins — you pay. Here’s why OEM used parts from Vikfin  are the smarter choice. 1: Fit and Compatibility — Don’t Guess OEM parts ar

Why This Small Component Keeps Your Machine Running and Prevents Costly Damage When it comes to excavators, most contractors focus on engines, hydraulics, and tracks — and overlook one of the most critical components : the pressure release valve . This little device does big work , protecting your hydraulic system, extending the life of components, and preventing catastrophic failures. Here’s a detailed, contractor-friendly guide to understanding it, spotting issues, and keep

Stop Guessing — Understand the Mechanics Before You Break Your Machine If you think turning a steel-tracked excavator is as simple as “push one track forward and pull the other back,” think again. The truth? Most contractors don’t fully understand how their machines actually change direction , and it costs them — in: Premature track wear Final drive failures Hydraulic motor damage Lost time and money on site This is the hard-hitting, no-BS guide to how your excavator really t

How to Avoid Costly Errors and Keep Your Excavator Running Smoothly Buying used excavator parts can save a ton of money — if you do it right. But in South Africa, many contractors make mistakes that turn “savings” into unnecessary downtime, wasted cash, and headaches . Let’s break down the top 5 mistakes  contractors make when buying used parts — and how to avoid them. Mistake #1: Not Verifying Part Compatibility This is the most common mistake. Every excavator model has part

Behind the Scenes of Keeping South African Excavators Running Like New If you’ve ever bought a used excavator part and prayed it lasts more than a week, you know the stakes are high. Downtime in South Africa costs real money — sometimes tens of thousands per day. At Vikfin , we don’t leave anything to chance. Every used part goes through a rigorous testing and certification process , so contractors know exactly what they’re getting. Let’s take you behind the scenes — the mess

Avoid Costly Mistakes and Keep Your Machine Running Longer Every contractor knows the sinking feeling: a critical excavator component fails, and suddenly you’re facing downtime, lost income, and a looming repair bill . The tough truth: not every broken part is worth repairing. But how do you know which ones are? This guide walks you through practical, hands-on ways  to decide whether to repair or replace a component — saving time, money, and headaches on South African sites.

Save Money, Reduce Downtime, and Get OEM Reliability Without Paying OEM Prices When an excavator breaks, you’ve got two problems: the machine is down, and your wallet is about to cry. Modern OEM parts are insanely expensive — especially from brands like Volvo, CAT, Komatsu, Hitachi, Doosan , and Hyundai . Even simple components can cost more than the entire machine is worth if it's older or high-hours. But here’s the truth smart contractors understand: Some excavator parts ar

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

Sawubona, mfowethu! If you’ve ever stood next to a 40-tonne excavator that’s been sitting dead for three weeks waiting for a R280 000 hydraulic pump from Japan, then this 3 000-word deep-dive is written specifically for you. My name is Ralph – I’m one of the guys at Vikfin who actually turns the spanners, drives the forklift, and argues with customs officials so your parts land in Kitwe or Walvis Bay without drama. Today I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how Vikfin has

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 construction game, downtime  is the enemy. When your excavator’s parked instead of digging, every minute costs you money — in idle crews, missed deadlines, and lost contracts. But there’s one simple, smart way to slash downtime without breaking the bank: using used OEM excavator parts  from a trusted supplier like Vikfin . Let’s break down exactly how  genuine OEM parts — even used ones — can keep your machines in the dirt and out of the workshop. 1. Perfect Fit, Every

Every powerful excavator you see on site — roaring, digging, breaking — is a collection of thousands of precision-engineered parts working together. But what happens when one of those machines reaches the end of its life? Does it all go to waste? Not at Vikfin. Behind every used OEM part that leaves our warehouse, there’s a story — a process that starts long before it lands in your hands. It’s a story of engineering precision, grit, and South African know-how. This is the sec

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

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