Contractor’s Guide: How to Inspect a Used Excavator Part Before You Buy

RALPH COPE
14 minutes ago
5 min read

1. Introduction: Buying Used Parts Doesn’t Have to Be a Gamble

You’re standing in a yard or scrolling through a supplier’s WhatsApp pictures. There’s a final drive, a pump, or a swing motor you need — and the price looks good. But one question stops you cold:

“How do I know this thing isn’t going to grenade my excavator?”

This is the fear that keeps contractors buying overpriced new OEM parts or rolling the dice on dodgy aftermarket copies. But with a little knowledge — and the right supplier — you can buy used OEM parts with confidence.

This guide gives you the checklist the pros use to separate gold from scrap. Follow it, and you’ll stop wasting money and downtime.

2. Why This Matters — The Cost of a Bad Part

A single bad part can:

Destroy other components on your machine.
Put your excavator offline for weeks.
Burn hundreds of thousands of rand in lost production.

In contrast, a tested used OEM part can deliver 80–90% of the life of a new part at 40–60% of the cost. The difference isn’t luck — it’s inspection.

3. The Golden Rule — OEM Only

First, always start with OEM parts. Used or new, OEM is engineered for your machine’s duty cycle. Aftermarket copies are a gamble no checklist can save you from.

Once you’ve confirmed it’s OEM (serials, casting marks, or supplier reputation), then run it through the checklist below.

4. Step 1: Visual Inspection — What Your Eyes Can Tell You

Even before testing, you can pick up a lot:

Cracks or fractures in castings or housings.
Excessive wear on gear teeth, splines, or shafts.
Heat discoloration (sign of overheating or poor lubrication).
Welds or repairs — sometimes fine, often a red flag.
Oil leaks or residue — can signal worn seals or internal damage.

Take clear, close-up photos. If the supplier resists, walk away.

5. Step 2: Check the Serial Numbers and Hours

OEM parts often have stamped or cast serial numbers. With these, you can:

Confirm the part matches your model.
Sometimes check the manufacturing date.
Cross-reference with your supplier’s stock sheet.

If the part comes off a machine with known hours, ask. A final drive from a 5,000-hour excavator is a different beast than one from a 15,000-hour unit.

6. Step 3: Ask About Testing Protocols

Reputable suppliers like Vikfin don’t just pull a part and sell it “as-is.” They test.

Typical tests:

Pressure testing for hydraulic pumps and motors.
Bench running to simulate real-world loads.
Backlash or endplay measurement on gear-driven components.
Seal and bearing checks.

If a supplier can’t describe their testing process in detail, be cautious.

7. Step 4: Internal Inspection — When Possible

For big-ticket items, ask if the supplier has opened the part for internal inspection. This can reveal:

Gear wear patterns.
Bearing condition.
Seal seating.
Presence of metal shavings or contamination.

Not every part needs to be stripped down, but for high-value components like final drives and hydraulic pumps, it’s worth it.

8. Step 5: Compare With New or Reman Specs

If you’re buying something critical (say, a main pump), pull up the OEM service manual specs:

Clearances.
Operating pressures.
Flow rates.

Ask your supplier for test results and compare them to spec. A good used OEM part should be close to new spec. Anything wildly off spec? Skip it.

9. Step 6: Check for Proper Storage and Handling

Even the best part can be ruined by bad storage:

Parts left out in the rain = corrosion.
Open ports without covers = contamination.
Dropped or dragged = hidden damage.

When you visit a supplier or see photos, look at the yard. Is it organized? Are parts tagged, covered, and stored properly? That tells you everything.

10. Step 7: Evaluate the Supplier — Reputation Is Everything

No checklist beats a reputable supplier. Look for:

Track record — how long they’ve been in business.
References — ask other contractors who they use.
Transparency — clear photos, test reports, honest condition notes.
Return policy — even tested parts can fail; what’s their backup?

At Vikfin, for example, every part is tagged, tested, and traceable. That’s why contractors come back.

11. Step 8: Price Reality Check

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. A tested used OEM part should cost 40–60% of new. If someone’s offering a “tested OEM” at 10% of new, it’s either untested or counterfeit.

12. Step 9: Warranty and Support

Even used parts should come with some form of guarantee. It might not match OEM factory warranty, but it should give you:

Confidence the supplier stands behind their work.
Recourse if the part fails immediately.

Ask for the terms in writing.

13. Step 10: Build a Relationship

The best contractors don’t shop random yards every time something breaks. They build a relationship with a trusted supplier, so:

They’re first to know when a critical part comes in.
They get honest advice on whether to repair, buy used, or buy new.
They spend less time searching and more time running machines.

14. Red Flags — When to Walk Away

Watch for:

Vague answers about testing.
No serial numbers or OEM markings.
Parts stored in mud or under tarps.
Pressure to “buy now” without details.

Your gut is usually right. If it feels off, move on.

15. Case Study: Saving Big by Inspecting Smart

A Gauteng contractor needed a hydraulic pump for a Hitachi ZX210. Dealer price: R420,000 new. He found a “used” pump online for R90,000. No testing, no serials. Walked away.

He then went to Vikfin. Found a tested used OEM pump for R180,000 with test sheet and 30-day guarantee. Installed same week. Still running 4,000 hours later.

The difference? Inspection and reputable supplier.

16. The Bottom Line — Knowledge = Profit

When you know how to inspect a used OEM part, you:

Slash your costs without slashing reliability.
Avoid catastrophic failures from bad parts.
Keep your machines running and your projects on schedule.

Stop thinking of used parts as a gamble. With the right approach, they’re a smart business move.

17. Conclusion: The Contractor’s Checklist for Success

Here’s your quick-hit checklist:

✅ Confirm it’s OEM.
✅ Visual inspection for cracks, wear, leaks.
✅ Check serials and hours.
✅ Ask about testing.
✅ Compare specs.
✅ Evaluate storage and supplier reputation.
✅ Reality-check the price.
✅ Get a warranty.
✅ Build a relationship.

Do this, and you’ll turn used OEM parts from a risk into an advantage.

At Vikfin, we live this checklist. We test, we tag, we support. So you can buy with confidence.

Stop gambling. Start inspecting. Start saving.

#ExcavatorParts#UsedOEMParts#ExcavatorInspection#HeavyEquipmentParts#FinalDriveInspection#HydraulicPumpTesting#KomatsuParts#VolvoExcavatorParts#CaterpillarOEM#HitachiExcavator#ExcavatorMaintenance#FleetManagement#EarthmovingEquipment#SouthAfricaConstruction#EquipmentDowntime#ExcavatorCostSaving#RebuiltOEMParts#SustainableConstruction#UsedExcavatorParts#Vikfin