Strip, Test, Rebuild: What Really Happens Before Vikfin Sells an Excavator Part?
- RALPH COPE
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
When you buy a used excavator part, one question should immediately come to mind:
“Where did this come from?”
Because in the used parts world, there are two types of suppliers:
Those who move metal.
Those who understand machines.
The difference between those two determines whether your excavator runs reliably for years — or lands up back in the workshop in three months.
At Vikfin, parts don’t simply arrive on a shelf and get sold. There’s a process. A system. A technical approach built around one goal:
Reducing your risk.
Let’s walk through what actually happens before a part leaves the yard.
Step 1: Strategic Machine Sourcing (Not Scrap Buying)
Every quality used part starts with the right machine.
Not all excavators are equal. Some are:
Accident-damaged but mechanically sound
High-hour but well maintained
Abandoned fleet units
Insurance write-offs
End-of-contract machines
The key is understanding why the machine is being dismantled.
If a machine suffered catastrophic engine failure, you don’t assume the hydraulic system is fine. If it burned, you don’t resell electrical components. If it was submerged, you don’t gamble on anything sensitive.
Reputable suppliers analyse:
Service history (where available)
Visible damage patterns
Wear indicators
Contamination risks
Brands like Volvo Construction Equipment, Komatsu, and Hyundai Construction Equipment are built differently. Knowing their engineering tolerances and common failure points helps determine what’s salvageable — and what’s scrap.
This first decision already separates professional dismantling from scrapyard flipping.
Step 2: Controlled Stripping – Precision, Not Destruction
There are two ways to strip an excavator:
With a cutting torch and a forklift.
Or methodically, like a mechanical surgery.
Professional dismantling follows a sequence:
Fluids drained and checked for contamination
Electrical systems disconnected properly
Hydraulic lines capped immediately
Components removed using correct lifting procedures
Serial numbers recorded
Hydraulic contamination is one of the biggest risks in used parts. The moment a line is left open in a dusty yard, microscopic particles enter the system.
That contamination can:
Destroy pumps
Score valve blocks
Shorten motor lifespan
So proper capping and storage isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Step 3: Inspection and Grading
Once removed, parts are not automatically cleared for sale.
They’re inspected and graded.
This is where technical knowledge matters.
Hydraulic Pumps & Motors
Inspected for:
Shaft play
Housing cracks
Mounting damage
Metal contamination
Oil condition
Final Drives
Checked for:
Excessive backlash
Bearing noise
Seal condition
Gear wear
Engines
Assessed based on:
Blow-by
Turbo condition
Cooling system integrity
Compression indicators (where possible)
An engine from a D6 platform, for example, requires specific understanding of wear patterns common to that configuration.
Not every part passes.
Some are stripped further for sub-components.Some are rebuilt.Some are scrapped.
That decision protects the buyer.
Step 4: Testing (Where Applicable)
Testing separates serious suppliers from traders.
Not every part can be bench-tested, but many can.
Where possible:
Engines are run
Starter motors are tested
Alternators are checked
Electrical modules are examined for visible damage
Certain hydraulic components are pressure-assessed
Testing reduces guesswork.
Used parts will never be “brand new.” But they can be verified as functional and within acceptable operating condition.
That verification dramatically lowers failure risk.
Step 5: Rebuild vs Resell Decision
Some components are sold as-is.
Others are rebuilt.
A proper rebuild may include:
New seals
Bearings
Gaskets
Cleaning and recalibration
But here’s where integrity matters:
Not everything should be rebuilt.
If a housing is cracked or tolerances are outside spec, rebuilding is cosmetic — not structural.
Responsible suppliers scrap those components rather than risk a customer failure.
Short-term profit is sacrificed for long-term credibility.
Step 6: Documentation & Matching
Modern excavators are not plug-and-play machines.
Serial numbers matter.
ECU compatibility matters.
Hydraulic flow specifications matter.
Incorrect matching can lead to:
Calibration errors
Poor performance
Fault codes
System imbalance
Proper documentation includes:
Machine model
Serial number reference
Part number verification
Condition notes
That administrative discipline prevents costly mismatches.
Step 7: Storage Matters More Than You Think
Once inspected and cleared, parts must be stored correctly.
Hydraulic components:
Sealed
Kept dust-free
Protected from moisture
Electrical components:
Stored away from static risk
Shielded from humidity
Engines:
Openings sealed
Stored upright
Fluids managed properly
Improper storage can damage a perfectly good component.
Professional yards understand this.
What Gets Scrapped — And Why That’s Important
Here’s something many contractors don’t see:
The parts that don’t make the cut.
Cracked cylinder barrels
Severely worn ring gears
Burnt ECUs
Contaminated hydraulic pumps
These don’t quietly go out the back door.
They’re scrapped.
Why does that matter?
Because if a supplier sells everything, it means nothing was properly evaluated.
Selective selling indicates standards.
Standards protect you.
Risk Reduction Is the Real Product
When you buy a used OEM part, you’re not just buying metal.
You’re buying:
Sourcing discipline
Mechanical knowledge
Inspection experience
Proper dismantling
Honest grading
Accountability
That’s what reduces risk.
And in this industry, risk is expensive.
The Difference Between a Trader and a Technical Supplier
A trader:
Buys parts cheap
Lists them
Ships them
A technical supplier:
Understands failure patterns
Knows common weaknesses
Advises on compatibility
Warns you about potential issues
When you phone with a problem, the second type can help diagnose it.
The first type says, “We only sell parts.”
That difference becomes obvious when something goes wrong.
Why This Process Matters in South Africa
South African operating conditions are harsh:
Extreme heat
Dust-heavy sites
Mining applications
Long-haul transport
Machines from brands like Doosan Infracore and Bell Equipment are built tough — but they still require correctly matched, properly handled components.
A marginally damaged part that might survive in mild conditions won’t survive here.
Which is why process matters.
The Customer Benefit: Predictability
No used part is 100% risk-free.
But the goal isn’t perfection.
It’s predictability.
A properly sourced and inspected used OEM part offers:
Correct fitment
Proven engineering
Lower cost than new
Significantly lower risk than random aftermarket
For contractors and plant hire companies, predictability means:
Less downtime
Better planning
Stable cash flow
Protected reputation
Why Transparency Builds Trust
The used parts industry historically hasn’t had the best reputation.
And that’s fair.
Too many operators have been burned by:
Unknown origins
Hidden damage
No after-sales support
The antidote to that is transparency.
Explaining:
Where machines come from
How parts are stripped
What inspection involves
What gets rejected
That transparency builds long-term relationships instead of one-off sales.
Final Thought: You’re Not Just Buying a Part
When you buy a used excavator component, you’re making a business decision.
You’re deciding whether:
Your machine starts tomorrow.
Your operator works.
Your client stays on schedule.
Your cash flow remains intact.
Behind every reliable used OEM part should be a structured process:
Without that process, you’re gambling.
With it, you’re managing risk intelligently.
And in heavy equipment, intelligent risk management is what separates businesses that survive from those that scale.
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