How much maintance for a used mini excavator?

[Robert_in_NY]

I am still thinking of getting a used mini excavator. One thing I do not know is how much work will a used mini require to keep running and operating in good condition? I am looking at gray market mini's as well as US versions. Anything in particular I should be concerned about that will cost a lot to fix? For the most part I will be using the machine at least 2-3 times a year and renting one each time will cost around $300-$400 a day. The main use will be for keeping our ditches cleared (a lot of them) and some jobsite work doing drainage around houses and factories. Buying new is out of the question and I am trying to stay under $15k for a 4-5ton machine. DarinRay has a few that I am going to look at soon but to be honest, I don't know much about them other then operating them. The last thing I want to do is buy a machine and have to sink $5k in it in a couple years so what is the worst possible issue (besides motor and undercariage) that I might have to deal with? Thanks

 

[nobull1]

Everything is a lot of money for mini excavators. That was the main reason I went with new to replace my 96 Daewoo. On the Daewoo bushings $130.00 apiece for the arm and boom, times 6 in my case, drive motors for the tracks $5000.00 each, new steel tracks,rollers sprockets etc $10,000.00, hydraulic pump $3000.00. Those are Canadian prices but just deduct 25% for US to give you a idea. As far as Grey market IMO don't bother as parts could be a issue,downtime and possibly even more than the above prices to obtain them. If you were going to use it 4 times a year at $300.00 the cost would only be $1200.00 a year. IMO unless you really want one, as maybe you do, rent one. One drive motor replacement and you could have rented for a few years and not tied up your money. The problem with used is you really don't know what your getting or getting into. A couple of unforeseen major repairs will really make a bad day. You have no choice but to repair the problem and the machine is worth no more than before you had the problem. If you are going to look at a couple of machines and decide to possibly purchase one. One thing I would do is take a motor ,hydraulic and drive motors oil samples and send away for testing to see if there are any pending or present problems. This is very cheap insurance and piece of mind. If the person or dealer has a problem with this walk away. Also don't pre warn them of your plan so they can do oil changes before you get there.

 

[Taylortractornut]

I have a grey market PC50uu-1 an 88 to 91 model. THe tracks are a bit rough but I can get new ones for 4000 dollars. I gave 8500 for it because of its size and the tightness of the boo mand swing. Im also good friends with the dealer a reliable man. He let me run it 25 hours before purchasing it. Its not as fast as a new one and has the smaller pumps but does what I need. I like the double jointed sideshift boom to. I parked it on a sheet while running it to make sure no leaks were to be found. Hey have a used parts source so if something does go wrong ill have to wait a bit but still come out good. Im putting steel tracks on next time thoughn. I can get steel tracks for 3500 and are rebuildable.

 

[kayssupply]

I use a smaller grey Kobelco. I had a Yanmar before. I used it 2 years and put a few thousand hours on it. I had enough billable hours to pay for it and got all I got all my money back when I sold it. I put a couple hundred hours a year on mine. Oil and filters is all I have had to put in mine once I had all the bugs worked out. They always need some fix up when you get them. If you get one with low hours from a good importer you should be fixed for a long while, no more than you plan to use it.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks guys, I am looking at a couple places but Darin has a nice Komatsu that I want (but he won't give it to me /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif, he wants me to pay for it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif). Anyway, after looking at that machine I am not too worried about any major unexpected problems. Hopefully things will work out and I will be able to give Darin some business.