Vikfin’s Top 10 Most Requested Used Excavator Parts of the Year (and What That Tells Us)

At Vikfin, we track every bolt, pump, and sprocket that flies off our shelves—because behind every sale is a story. And when we crunched the numbers from the last 12 months, something became very clear:

Some parts just can't catch a break.

Maybe it’s the heat, the dust, the “creative” operator techniques, or just brutal South African job sites—but certain excavator parts are waving white flags faster than you can say “final drive.”

This isn’t just a list of what we sell. It’s a diagnostic snapshot of what’s breaking, why it’s breaking, and what you can do about it before your machine turns into a very expensive paperweight.

So, here it is:

🏆 The Vikfin Top 10: Most Requested Used Excavator Parts of the Year

1. Final Drives

By far, our number one bestseller. Every. Single. Month.

If you’ve never replaced a final drive, congratulations—you either don’t own an excavator, or you’re living a lie.

Final drives take a pounding. They’re literally dragging your 20-ton beast through mud, rocks, and operator-induced chaos. But when they go? You go nowhere.

Why they fail:

• Overloading

• Lack of oil changes

• Contamination

• Shock loads from uneven terrain

What this tells us:

• Most contractors don’t maintain them properly.

• SA terrain is absolutely brutal.

• And yes, some operators treat machines like quad bikes.

Pro tip: Drain your final drive oil every 1,000 hours and inspect for metal flakes. If it looks like glitter, that’s not festive—it’s catastrophic.

2. Swing Motors

The second most replaced part—and it’s not even close.

Your swing motor is responsible for turning the upper structure. When it fails? You’re stuck facing east no matter how badly the trench is to the west.

Common issues:

• Leaking seals

• Bearing wear

• Broken gears

• Contamination again (notice a theme?)

What this tells us:

• Machines are swinging fast and hard.

• Maintenance? Probably optional in many places.

• Operators are working in high-speed cycles under pressure—and the parts feel it.

3. Track Adjusters / Tensioners

A machine that can’t hold track tension is a machine that walks like a drunk giraffe.

We get weekly calls:

“My track keeps coming off. Can you help?”Yes. Yes, we can.

Why they fail:

• Grease seals rupture

• Rod bends from shock loads

• Water and grit corrode internals

What this tells us:

• Undercarriages are getting flogged.

• Wet weather and bad drainage = soft ground = track tension nightmares.

• Many operators aren’t taught how to check track tension (hint: not too tight, not too loose).

4. Hydraulic Pumps

The heart of your excavator’s muscle. When it dies, the whole machine flatlines.

Hydraulic pump replacements are expensive, so people come to us for quality used units or recons.

Common causes of death:

• Running low on hydraulic oil

• Contaminated fluid

• Overpressurizing the system

• Dirty filters ignored for too long

What this tells us:

• Operators push hard.

• Maintenance schedules aren’t always followed.

• And once again—fluid contamination is public enemy number one.

5. Boom & Arm Cylinders

Coming in strong at number five: hydraulic cylinders.

These guys are the biceps and triceps of your digger. They move the boom and dipper—and if they leak, you’re losing strength fast.

Why they land on our list:

• Seal wear and tear

• Bent rods

• Internal scoring from contamination or old fluid

What this tells us:

• Machines are lifting heavy loads.

• Operators are maxing out reach.

• People wait too long before replacing worn seals (leading to full cylinder replacement).

6. Control Valves

Your excavator’s brain. Without them, you’re just spraying hydraulic fluid with no direction.

Control valves are intricate and delicate compared to most parts. When they fail, you often lose smooth operation or experience erratic behavior—like the arm twitching randomly or the boom dropping unexpectedly.

Typical causes:

• Debris and grit clogging the spools

• Wear from incorrect fluid

• Lack of flushing during previous component failure

What this tells us:

• Machines aren’t being flushed properly after a breakdown.

• Job sites are filthy, and those micro-particles are causing macro-damage.

7. Swing Bearings / Slew Rings

Massive, expensive, and vital. The swing bearing carries the weight of the entire upper structure while it rotates. When it fails, your machine will start to wobble or grind.

Why they fail:

• Poor greasing routines

• Too much play in the upper structure

• Shock loads (e.g., swinging a full bucket and slamming it down)

What this tells us:

• Preventative maintenance gets skipped—often.

• And too many machines are working past their prime without rebuilds.

8. Cab Glass & Doors

You wouldn’t think glass would be a bestseller, but we sell a ton of it—especially after storm season.

Operators vs. trees. Bakkies vs. buckets. Flying rocks. And, in some cases… creative dismounts.

Top reasons:

• Job site accidents

• Theft and vandalism

• Operator clumsiness

What this tells us:

• Safety culture is… let’s call it “casual.”

• Replacing glass is cheaper than replacing a whole cab.

• South Africa’s crime stats reach even into the bush.

9. Sprockets & Rollers

Undercarriage parts like sprockets, idlers, and rollers wear down steadily. When they go, you’re chewing through tracks faster than a Rottweiler with a rawhide.

Failure causes:

• Lack of grease

• Misaligned track tension

• Operating in abrasive environments (hello, quarry work)

What this tells us:

• Undercarriages are often neglected until failure.

• Most fleet managers underestimate how quickly abrasive terrain eats parts.

10. ECUs and Wiring Looms

Yes—electronics. Increasingly common as modern excavators move away from simple mechanical systems.

Why they fail:

• Water ingress (rain, washing, etc.)

• Electrical shorts from poor battery maintenance

• Rats. No, really—rats chewing wiring is a real problem.

What this tells us:

• SA operators and bush mechanics don’t always get along with computers.

• Modern machines are harder to repair in the field.

• If your fleet is mostly newer models, invest in surge protection and pest control.

🧠 What the Data Really Tells Us (Big Picture Stuff)

Let’s step back. What do all these trends actually reveal?

🔍 1. Maintenance is being skipped. A lot.

Parts aren’t failing randomly. They’re failing from:

• Contaminated fluid

• Poor lubrication

• Ignored wear signs

Machines aren’t being serviced by the book—they’re being driven into the ground.

🔧 2. South African conditions are hell on earth—for machines.

Dust. Sand. Rocks. Heat. Altitude. Mud. Add in load shedding, delayed deliveries, and overworked crews, and you've got the perfect storm for breakdowns.

📉 3. Most breakdowns are preventable.

If final drives and swing motors are topping the charts every year, maybe it’s time the industry took operator training, maintenance routines, and fluid health more seriously.

🛠️ What You Can Do to Stay Off This List

Want your excavator not to be the next final drive casualty? Here’s how to change the game:

✅ Flush systems after major failures

A blown pump or busted cylinder leaves debris in the system. Clean it properly before installing new parts.

✅ Stick to a real maintenance schedule

Don’t just grease when it’s noisy. Set a schedule and stick to it. Machines don’t heal themselves.

✅ Train your operators

They’re the first line of defense. If they don’t know what to listen for or how to spot early signs, you’re throwing money away.

✅ Stock key spares

Final drives, swing motors, filters, hoses—keep the essentials close. If a machine goes down mid-job, you’ll be back up in hours instead of days.

🧰 Why Used Doesn’t Mean Second-Rate (At Least Not With Vikfin)

All our used parts are:

• Thoroughly inspected

• Cleaned and pressure-tested

• Guaranteed to work

• Backed by actual humans who know what the hell they’re doing

We don’t deal in junk. And we’ll never sell you something we wouldn’t fit in our own machines.

🚜 Final Thoughts: Machines Talk. Are You Listening?

Every failed part is a message. Your excavator isn’t just breaking down—it’s trying to tell you something.

Listen better, maintain smarter, and you won’t just save money—you’ll extend machine life, reduce downtime, and maybe even sleep better at night.

And if something does go bang in the field? Call Vikfin.

We’ve probably got it. We’ve definitely seen it. And we’re ready to get you back on track.

🔧 Contact Vikfin: SA’s Most Trusted Source for Used Excavator Parts

Got a breakdown? Planning a rebuild? Want a used final drive that doesn’t suck?

Call us. Message us. Send a carrier pigeon.

Whatever it takes—we’ve got your back.

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