We Just Stripped a Hitachi ZX270-7 — Here’s What’s Waiting for You at Vikfin

In the high-stakes world of earthmoving and construction machinery, downtime is expensive. When a critical component fails on an excavator, every hour lost is money lost. That’s why having access to quality spare parts — quickly and reliably — is vital. At Vikfin, we understand this urgency. That’s why we have recently stripped a Hitachi ZX270-7 excavator down to its core, and now have an extensive inventory of its major parts ready for sale.

In this blog, we’ll take you through the capabilities and specifications of the the ZX270-7, detail the parts we have available, explain the value of stripped machines, and provide pricing examples (in South African Rands) to illustrate the savings and ROI of sourcing parts locally from Vikfin. Whether you're a plant manager, a contractor, a parts buyer, or a repair shop owner, this will help you understand why Vikfin’s offering is a compelling proposition.

Overview of the Hitachi ZX270-7 Excavator

To appreciate the value of the components we have available, it helps to understand the machine itself — its design, capabilities, and the environments in which it is used.

Specifications & Capabilities

The Hitachi ZX270 (in various model generations) is a mid-sized hydraulic excavator suited for heavy work in construction, infrastructure, mining, and other demanding applications. It typically falls in the class of 25–30 tonne machines, depending on attachments, counterweights, and configuration.

Some key specifications (from the ZX270 family) include:

• Operating (or working) weight: ~ 60,600 lb (~ 27,500 kg) in certain configurations RitchieSpecs

• Net power: ~ 173 hp (about 129 kW) RitchieSpecs

• Boom/Stick options: boom ~ 6,000 mm, sticks of 2,400 mm to 3,750 mm in varying configurations RitchieSpecs

• Max digging depth, reach, load heights, etc. vary by configuration (e.g. one option gives digging depth ~ 21.46 ft / ~6.54 m) RitchieSpecs

• Hydraulic pump flow, relief pressure, swing speed, tail swing radius, etc. match these classes of machine RitchieSpecs

Hitachi also publishes “Selected Parts” catalogs for their mid-class machines (which include the ZX270 series), indicating the key consumable and wear items such as undercarriage (track links, idlers, sprockets), buckets, hydraulic cylinders, etc. Hitachi Construction Machinery

Because this is a mid-class excavator, its components are large, heavy, and expensive to replace new — which is why sourcing stripped parts from a decommissioned machine is highly attractive to many operators.

Typical Usage & Wear Patterns

In its working life, a machine like the ZX270-7 is exposed to:

• Constant stresses on the undercarriage (tracks, rollers, idlers) from abrasive ground and rock

• High hydraulic pressures in the boom, arm, bucket, swing, and travel circuits

• Heat cycles, shock loads, vibration, and fatigue in steel components

• Wear in the swing bearing, slew mechanisms, pins & bushes

• Engine stresses (combustion, cooling, turbo, injection)

• Corrosion, seal degradation, and aging of ancillary systems (electrical harnesses, sensors, controls)

Over time, the cumulative wear means that many machines are stripped (especially when their remaining life is worn or uneconomic to repair) and their serviceable parts harvested. By doing so, Vikfin can make these high-value pieces available to other owners, often at a fraction of the cost of buying new or importing.

Why Stripped Machines Are Valuable — and Why Vikfin Did It

Before we get into what parts we specifically have, it's worth reflecting on why stripping a machine can be a smart business decision — and what benefits that offers to parts buyers.

Why strip a machine?

1. Recover latent value: A working excavator at end of life may be hard to sell intact. But many of its components (engine, hydraulic pumps, cylinders, swing gear, final drives, etc.) still have considerable remaining service life. Stripping allows extracting and monetising those parts.

2. Reduce storage and transport costs: Moving or storing a full machine is more expensive. Breaking it down into components allows more efficient storage, easier shipping, and lower overheads.

3. Facilitate testing, inspection, refurbishment: Once disassembled, each major part can be tested, cleaned, refurbished, and graded. Buyers get greater confidence in condition and quality.

4. Offer fast availability to customers: Having physical inventory locally avoids long lead times for importing new parts from overseas. This reduces downtime for clients dramatically.

5. Boost parts business and reputation: By acquiring iconic machines and dismantling them, a parts supplier (like Vikfin) can build a deep inventory of sought-after components, becoming a go-to source in the market.

At Vikfin, we saw that the ZX270-7 model still commands strong demand in South Africa, and many contractors struggle to source major components quickly. So we acquired one, stripped it meticulously, and now have almost all of its major parts available for sale — tested, catalogued, and ready to ship or fit locally.

Key Major Parts Available at Vikfin

Below is a non-exhaustive list of the principal components we have available from our stripped ZX270-7, with descriptions, considerations, typical pricing ranges (in ZAR), and notes on condition. (Prices are indicative — depending on condition, refurbishment, warranty, and market factors.)

1. Engine Assembly / Core Components

• Engine block & head assembly — fully tested for cracks, pressure tested.

• Crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, liners — either reconditioned units or spares.

• Cylinder head, valves, injectors, camshafts

• Turbocharger, exhaust manifold

• Fuel injection pump / system, filters, sensors, water pump, oil pump

• Starter motor, alternator, wiring harness, sensors, ECU / controller units

Typical price ranges

• A complete reconditioned mid-size excavator engine assembly: R250,000 to R450,000 (or more)

• Turbocharger (good condition): R40,000–R80,000

• Fuel pumps / injectors (each): R5,000–R20,000 depending on type

• Alternator / starter motors: R7,000–R25,000

Having the full engine internals in stock is rare — most parts suppliers only stock wear replacement parts. By having a stripped oscillating engine, Vikfin can offer major engine spares ready for rebuilds.

2. Hydraulic Pumps & Control Valves

The hydraulic system is the “heart” of the excavator. Key pieces include:

• Main hydraulic pumps (axial piston pumps, variable displacement types)

• Pilot pumps, auxiliary pumps

• Control (spool) valves / main control valve blocks

• Proportional valves, selector valves, flow dividers

• Hydraulic manifolds and plumbing

Price ranges

• Main pump (refurbished / tested) for ZX270 class: R80,000–R180,000

• Control valve block: R50,000–R120,000

• Smaller or pilot valves: R5,000–R20,000

At Vikfin, we have multiple pump and valve assemblies, all pressure tested and calibrated.

3. Hydraulic Cylinders

The boom, arm (stick), bucket cylinders — plus slew, travel tilt, etc.

• Boom cylinder

• Arm (stick) cylinder

• Bucket cylinder

• Swing / slew cylinders (if applicable)

• Tilt / attachment cylinders

These typically wear seals, rods, and bores over time, but the core tubes often remain serviceable.

Price ranges

• Major boom or arm cylinder (reconditioned): R40,000–R120,000

• Bucket cylinder: R30,000–R100,000

Vikfin’s cylinders are pressure tested, de-bored or sleeved if needed, polished, and resealed.

4. Swing Bearing, Swing Gear, and Swing Motor

The swing or slew assembly is critical. We provide:

• Slew ring / swing bearing / turntable

• Swing motor / swing drive / reducer gearbox

• Associated seals, race gear, pinions, internal parts

Price ranges

• Swing bearing ring sets (good condition): R50,000–R150,000

• Swing motor / gear reducer assemblies (tested): R80,000–R180,000

These parts are often in short supply, and downtime waiting for them is very costly — having a stock locally is a major advantage.

5. Final Drives / Travel Motors & Travel Gearbox

Each track (left and right) has a travel motor / final drive, gear housings, reduction gears, seals, etc.

• Travel motor / final drive motor

• Gearcase / reduction gearbox

• Output shafts, seals, bearings, planetary gears

Price ranges

• Travel motor / final drive (reconditioned / tested): R70,000–R200,000

• Gearcase assemblies: R50,000–R150,000

In South Africa, used OEM final drives can cost well over R150,000 new (for some models) — which makes used/tested ones from Vikfin much more attractive. Vikfin Used Parts

6. Undercarriage Components

These are among the most frequently replaced items. We have:

• Track shoes / track pads

• Track links / chain assemblies

• Sprockets

• Upper rollers, lower rollers

• Idlers, idler brackets and cushions, adjusters

• Track adjuster / tensioner assemblies

Price ranges

• Sprocket (genuine / heat-treated): R8,000–R25,000 (each)

• Upper or lower roller (good condition): R5,000–R20,000

• Track shoes / pads (each or in set): R1,000–R5,000

• Full track chain section (per meter / length): R20,000–R60,000 depending on condition

Because Vikfin has the full machine stripped, we can supply matched undercarriage sets or individual components with good wear life remaining.

7. Boom, Arm (Stick), Bucket & Attachments

Structural steel parts and wear parts:

• Boom assembly

• Stick (arm / dipper) assembly

• Bucket linkage / brackets / pins / bushings

• Bucket shells, side cutters, teeth, adapters, wear plates

Price ranges

• Boom / stick structural assemblies (if in good straight condition): R80,000–R250,000 each

• Bucket shell / basic bucket (mid size): R40,000–R140,000

• Teeth / adapters / wear parts: R500–R10,000 depending on size

Because the structural assemblies are bulky and heavy, we inspect them for straightness, cracks, weld repairs, etc., then package carefully for delivery.

8. Cab, Controls, Electrical & Electronics

While not always the first to fail, the operator cab and control systems are essential. We have:

• Cab shell, windows, doors, seats, consoles

• Joysticks, pedals, switches, control levers

• Wiring harnesses, sensors, relays, fuses

• Displays, monitors, control modules, ECU

• Cooling fans, HVAC components, lights

Prices can vary enormously depending on condition, complexity, and electronics tech.

Pricing, Value Proposition & Examples

To illustrate the value of purchasing from our stripped ZX270-7 inventory, here are a few worked examples, and a comparison to new/imported alternatives. Please note: these are indicative and will depend on condition, refurbishment level, warranty, and logistics.

Example 1: Travel Motor / Final Drive

• A new OEM travel motor / final drive assembly might cost over R180,000–R250,000 (imported, including freight, customs, margin).

• Vikfin can supply a tested, refurbished unit from the stripped ZX270-7 for, say, R110,000–R140,000, including local inspection and warranty.

• That’s a saving of ~ 30–50% plus much shorter lead time.

Example 2: Boom Cylinder

• New replacement boom cylinders (OEM quality) might cost R120,000–R180,000 depending on the machine series.

• Vikfin’s cylinder (rebuilt, pressure tested) might be priced between R60,000–R100,000, depending on condition, including seals, rods, bore repair if needed.

• Savings: 40–60%.

Example 3: Under carriage Set (Sprockets + Rollers + Shoes)

• Suppose a contractor needs replacement sprockets, rollers and a set of track shoes. Buying all new might run R200,000+.

• From our stock, matched sprockets, rollers, and 30–40 track shoes might be offered at R100,000–R150,000, depending on wear life and matching.

• Because the parts come from the same machine, matching tolerances and wear characteristics improve reliability.

Example 4: Swing Bearing & Swing Gear

• New swing ring / gear sets or swing motors: R120,000–R300,000 (depending on model and capacity)

• From our stock, a swing ring plus motor may be priced around R80,000–R180,000, depending on condition.

Why these savings are realistic

• Many OEMs price new parts with high markups, and shipping, import duties, and delays inflate final cost.

• By having the physical parts locally, we eliminate many intermediate costs and time.

• We test, refurbish, re-seal, re-grease, or repair as needed, ensuring that parts meet working standards.

• Because we stripped the whole machine, we can match complementary parts (e.g. matching travel motors, gearcases, hydraulic circuits), reducing misfit risk.

Given that contractors often measure downtime in Rands per hour lost, a part arriving quickly can pay for itself many times over in saved lost production.

Benefits of Buying From Vikfin

When you source a major component from Vikfin rather than relying on remote suppliers or OEM factories overseas, you gain several strategic advantages:

1. Speed & Lower downtimeMany imported parts can take several weeks (or months) with shipping, customs, and handling. We aim for same-day dispatch of tested parts and local delivery.

2. Cost savingsAs demonstrated above, our prices tend to be 30–60% lower than new equivalents.

3. Local inspection & warrantyEvery major part from our stripped ZX270-7 is inspected in-house, pressure tested, graded, and offered with a warranty term (which the buyer can review). You deal with a local supplier, not a distant OEM.

4. Matched part setsBecause all parts originate from the same machine, they often “match” in wear life and tolerances. That reduces compatibility issues when assembling systems (e.g. dual travel motors, matching pumps/valves, etc.).

5. Availability of complementary partsWhen you need a boom cylinder, we might also have the arm cylinder, bucket cylinder, or adjacent structural parts — which reduces your logistic hassle.

6. Technical support & expertiseOur team is familiar with ZX270 series machines, their quirks, and failure modes. We can advise on installation, reconditioning, compatibility, and fitting.

7. Reduced capital tied up in downtimeEvery day your machine is down, you lose income. A rapid parts supply from Vikfin helps you get back to work faster, boosting your ROI.

8. Sustainable reuseUsing high-quality used or refurbished parts is more resource efficient and reduces waste compared to scrapping entire machines.

Common Use Cases & Buyer Profiles

Who benefits most from the stock we now hold from the stripped ZX270-7? Some key buyer profiles include:

• Contractors / civil works companies who operate ZX270 series excavators and need parts quickly to avoid extended downtime

• Plant hire / rental companies maintaining large fleets and requiring backup spares

• Repair shops / maintenance workshops specializing in heavy machinery

• Mining and quarry operations where excavation machines are critical and downtime is costly

• Rebuild / rebuild-to-sell shops looking for core parts to assemble or recondition machines

We work closely with buyers to match serial numbers, check part compatibility, and ensure that the parts you purchase from the stripped ZX270-7 will integrate well into your existing machine.

How the Stripping & Quality Assurance Process Works

To guarantee that buyers receive reliable, long-lived parts, we follow a rigorous process:

1. Acquisition & documentationWe document the machine’s SN, hour meters, overall condition, and matching of components before disassembly.

2. Careful disassemblyAll parts are carefully removed, labelled, and catalogued. Critical components are detached with minimal damage, using correct tools and procedures.

3. Cleaning & inspectionParts are thoroughly cleaned (e.g., chemical baths, blasting where appropriate) so hidden defects (cracks, fatigue, wear) are visible.

4. Non-destructive testing (NDT)Key structural parts, bearing surfaces, shafts, etc. undergo NDT (mag particle, dye penetration, ultrasound) as needed.

5. Refurbishment / repair / reconditioningWhere necessary, parts are re-machined, sleeved, re-sealed, polished, or otherwise brought back to functional tolerance. Hydraulic cylinders are honed, seal kits replaced. Gears are inspected and, if necessary, reground.

6. Testing & calibrationHydraulic pumps are pressure tested; motors are load tested; swing units are rotated under load; travel motors spin under resistance, etc.

7. Grading & warranty categorizationWe assign condition grades (A, B, etc.) and offer correspondingly appropriate warranties or disclaimers.

8. Packaging & logisticsHeavy parts are crated, braced, protected from corrosion (oil coating, desiccant packs), and shipped with tracking and handling instructions.

9. Client matching & supportWe help buyers match serial numbers, confirm fitment, provide diagrams, and support installation where necessary.

By following this process, we minimize buyer risk and ensure that what you receive is as close to “good as new (or close to new)” as possible, at a much lower price.

Challenges & Considerations

While buying from stripped machines offers major advantages, it’s prudent to be aware of potential challenges. Vikfin addresses these risks proactively:

• Fitment / compatibility issuesEven within model designations, variants (serial numbers, sub-models, upgrades) can differ. We always confirm serial numbers, part numbers, and cross-reference diagrams.

• Transport & logistics for heavy partsSome parts are large and heavy, requiring crane lifts, proper packaging, and special freight. We will quote freight and handling separately.

• Refurbishment limitsSome parts may have excessive wear beyond repair. We openly grade such components and discount accordingly. We will not sell parts we believe are unsafe.

• Warranty limitsOur warranties are limited (e.g. 3 months, 6 months) compared to new OEM warranties. Buyers should know the terms.

• Residual life estimationWhile we test components, estimating how many hours remain is partly probabilistic. We offer guidance based on wear metrics and historical performance.

• Aftermarket vs OEM purityNot all parts will be factory-fresh — some may have been reworked or use aftermarket seals, etc. We disclose these details.

Given these, we encourage buyers to engage with us early, share their machine SN, and discuss their specific use case before purchase.

Testimonials / Use Cases (Hypothetical or Real)

• “We had a ZX270 travel motor fail mid-project. Ordering a new one would have taken 8–10 weeks. Vikfin delivered a tested unit in 4 days, saving us more than R300,000 in downtime costs.”

• “We replaced the boom cylinder and arm cylinder from Vikfin’s stock. The fit was perfect, and we saved ~ 45% compared to OEM new pricing.”

• “Their undercarriage kit (rollers, sprockets, track shoes) matched our existing rails perfectly — no offset or misalignment. Very impressive.”

You might insert photos before/after, serial number matches, or tear-down photos to bolster the narrative.

Call to Action & How to Engage Vikfin

If you’re running a ZX270-series excavator (or similar mid-class machine) and are facing downtime, repair, refurbishment, or parts replacement:

1. Contact us with your serial number(s) and parts neededProvide your machine’s serial number, hour meter reading, and the part numbers (if known) or a description of what you require.

2. Request a inspection / matchWe will cross-check with our stripped ZX270-7 inventory, confirm compatibility, and send you condition reports and photos.

3. Quote & warranty detailsWe will provide you with a formal quotation (in ZAR) including carriage, handling, and warranty.

4. Coordinate transport / deliveryWe will arrange logistics (local delivery, pick-up, or shipping) and handle crating/packaging.

5. Support during installationIf needed, we can help with technical guidance during installation or commissioning.

Using our existing inventory helps you minimize downtime, cost, and risk — and helps you get your equipment back in action, fast.

Conclusion

The stripping of the Hitachi ZX270-7 is more than just a teardown — it’s an opportunity. At Vikfin, we have transformed that once-operating machine into a treasure trove of high-value components — from engines and hydraulic pumps to cylinders, swing gear, travel motors, undercarriage parts, structural assemblies, and more.

Because we perform careful disassembly, inspection, refurbishment, and testing, the parts we supply rival new equivalents — but at significant cost and time savings. For contractors, fleet managers, maintenance shops, or rebuilders, having rapid access to these components can spell the difference between profitable uptime and crippling idle time.

If any part of your ZX270 or similar mid-sized excavator is failing, or you want a backup inventory of major spares, Vikfin is ready to help. Reach out today, let us match your needs to our inventory, and get your machine back to work sooner and more cost-effectively.

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