Buying an Excavator? Don’t Overlook the Parts Supply Chain (Why Having a Supplier Like Vikfin Lined Up Is Crucial for Plant Hire Businesses and Contractors)
- RALPH COPE
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
You’ve run the numbers. Compared the specs. Maybe even kicked the tracks a few times. Buying an excavator isn’t just a purchase—it’s a strategic investment. But in the rush to secure the perfect machine, there’s one critical piece most buyers forget:
The parts supply chain.
Sure, the machine looks good. Low hours, tight pins, and a powerful engine. But when the first boom cylinder fails, the slew motor grinds, or the cab window shatters—who’s going to help you get it fixed quickly and cost-effectively?
If your answer is “the OEM dealership,” prepare to pay through the nose and wait weeks.If your answer is “I’ll worry about it later,” then you’re gambling with your uptime.But if your answer is “Vikfin”—well, then you’re already ahead of the game.
This blog unpacks why lining up a reliable used OEM parts supplier before you buy your excavator is one of the smartest moves you can make—especially if you run a plant hire business or manage high-intensity contracting jobs.
Why Most People Focus on the Machine and Not the Maintenance
It’s understandable. When you’re buying a new (or used) excavator, your attention is on:
Brand and model
Engine hours
Digging power
Attachments
Financing and delivery
Maintenance? That’s future-you’s problem.
But here’s the truth no one tells you during the purchase process:Every excavator will break down. It’s not a question of if—only when.
And when it does, the real cost isn’t just the part itself—it’s the downtime, the delays, the lost income, and the missed opportunities.
What Happens When You Don’t Have a Parts Supplier Lined Up?
Let’s play this out.
You’ve bought a shiny Komatsu PC200. Everything’s going great. Until it’s not.
One morning, your operator calls. Boom cylinder’s leaking.
You contact the OEM. The new part is R120,000. ETA? Three weeks.
You search online. Aftermarket part for R60,000. But will it fit? Who knows?
Meanwhile, your machine is down for 14 days. Site work stalls. Your client starts calling. So does your bank.
All this because you didn’t lock in a reliable parts supplier before the first job even started.
What Smart Buyers Do Instead
Successful plant hire operators and contractors know this rule:Don’t just buy the machine. Secure the support.
Before they sign off on that purchase order, they ask:
Who’s going to supply me with cost-effective, reliable parts when something breaks?
How fast can I get a final drive, a slew ring, or an engine?
Who understands my brand, my model, and my business?
More and more, the answer to all three is: Vikfin.
The Hidden Costs of Ignoring the Supply Chain
Here’s what you risk by not having a supplier like Vikfin lined up:
❌ Extended Downtime
Every hour your machine is down, your business is bleeding. Whether it’s idle staff, missed deadlines, or loss of plant hire revenue—downtime is your silent killer.
❌ Overpaying for Urgency
When you’re desperate, you’ll pay whatever it takes. Dealers know this. So do aftermarket importers. Expect to be charged premium rates for rush orders—and still wait days or weeks.
❌ Poor Quality Replacements
In a panic, you grab whatever fits. But that dodgy aftermarket slew motor ends up failing again in three months—costing you even more in labour and downtime.
❌ Damaged Reputation
If you’re a plant hire operator, every breakdown affects your reputation. You can’t afford to let your client down because your machine’s been sitting idle waiting for a part.
Why Vikfin Should Be Your First Call—Before You Even Buy
At Vikfin, we’re not just a parts supplier. We’re your business partner in uptime. Here’s what we bring to the table:
🔧 Specialization
We focus exclusively on excavators—especially 20- and 30-ton machines. We know them inside out.
Whether you’re running a:
Komatsu PC200 or PC270
Volvo EC210 or EC240
Hitachi ZX200
Doosan DX225
Caterpillar 320 —we’ve likely got the parts you need on our shelves right now.
📦 Massive Inventory of Used OEM Parts
Why used OEM? Because:
They’re built to exact spec
They fit perfectly
They last longer than aftermarket
And they cost a fraction of new OEM prices
We stock:
Engines
Final drives
Slew motors
Hydraulic cylinders
Valve banks
Cabs and panels
Wiring harnesses
Radiators and intercoolers
And everything in between
⏱️ Rapid Response
Need a part? We can get it to you—fast. Our team prioritizes contractors and plant hire businesses who can’t afford to be idle.
💰 Lowest Price Guarantee
We promise to beat any genuine quote on comparable used OEM parts. Why? Because we know our value—and we want to earn your long-term business.
🧠 Expert Advice
Not sure if a Sumitomo part will fit your Case CX210? Ask us. We understand part compatibility across brands and models—saving you time and headaches.
Case Study: A Contractor Who Did It Right
One of our clients, a Gauteng-based contractor, was eyeing a used Volvo EC210 for a bulk earthworks contract. Before he bought, he called Vikfin.
We confirmed we had every major part for that model in stock, including a D6E engine, swing motor, and boom cylinders.
We advised him on common wear points and what to inspect before purchasing.
When his valve bank failed four months later, we had a tested, used OEM unit ready the next day.
He lost zero days on the job and saved over R70,000 by avoiding a dealer part.
What to Ask Before Buying Your Next Excavator
Here’s a checklist every buyer should go through:
✅ Are the parts for this brand/model readily available locally?✅ Who is my go-to supplier if something fails?✅ What are the most common wear components on this machine?✅ Can I afford long downtime while waiting for parts?✅ Is there a reliable used OEM alternative for this model?
If you don’t have solid answers, it’s time to call Vikfin.
Don’t Just Buy the Machine—Buy the Backup Plan
When you buy an excavator, you’re not just investing in metal. You’re investing in productivity, reputation, and uptime.
Ignoring the parts supply chain is like buying a 4x4 for the desert—with no spare tires, no toolkit, and no rescue plan.
Don’t wait until the first breakdown to realize how important your parts supplier is.
Final Thoughts
Plant hire businesses and contractors succeed on one key metric: machine availability. The most powerful excavator in the world is useless if it’s sitting in a yard, waiting for a R5,000 part that takes three weeks to arrive.
That’s why smart operators partner with Vikfin before they even put the machine to work.
We’re not just here to sell you parts. We’re here to protect your investment, keep your business moving, and save you money while doing it.
Planning to Buy an Excavator? Let’s Talk First.
Tell us what machine you're considering—we'll tell you what parts we have, what to watch out for, and how to keep it running like new.
📞 Call or WhatsApp Vikfin Today🛠️ Vikfin – South Africa’s #1 Source for Quality Used OEM Excavator Parts
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