Insight on buying a mini excavator vs renting

[Tomtint]

It was dark when I went so this is all I have.

Worries about it. Was low on hydro fluid but the only leak I found was the thumb cylinder.

Owner said it's weak tracking and the dozer blade won't lift the machine (he demonstrated both to me). But the dig functions work perfectly fine with lots of strength.

When I ran the machine shortly after track strength was normal and the dozer blade would lift the machine up at idle.

This concerns me. Is it just the low hydro oil? Swing seals going bad? Stuck valve? Yeah.....

Honestly it's in way better shape then he made it out to be, but I don't want to be buying something that might have big issues. View attachment 686882View attachment 686883View attachment 686884View attachment 686884

Why not ask the seller if you an have a Cat mechanic come out and do a survey on it. It may cost you 4-500 bucks but its money well spent if you have concerns.

 

[gtbensley]

I was going to reach out to the dealer and see if they would be able to do that.

Really wasn't all that I treated in the Cat until I went to see it.

My understanding is the Case is far more mechanical operation over the Cat?

 

[Seven Gables]

I would stay clear of that cat. With a blade that won't lift the machine and weak tracking it's got issues that you don't want . More than likely it lifted itself with the blade cause the hyd oil was cold and viscous enough to not bypass , once it heats up it won't . Being that both issues are on the bottom of the unit could very well be leakage within the rotary Union . To me it looks pretty rough, thanks for the pics though. Let's see some pics of that case 36.

 

[gtbensley]

I would stay clear of that cat. With a blade that won't lift the machine and weak tracking it's got issues that you don't want . More than likely it lifted itself with the blade cause the hyd oil was cold and viscous enough to not bypass , once it heats up it won't . Being that both issues are on the bottom of the unit could very well be leakage within the rotary Union . To me it looks pretty rough, thanks for the pics though. Let's see some pics of that case 36.

That's what my guts telling me too.....although as it got warm it did those functions for me.

No visible leaks there. Wouldn't tht be apparent?

 

[Seven Gables]

Another thing that would be good to do and easy is bring some Allen wrenches usually metric and pull the center level plug out of the final drives to see if it's full and Clean.

 

[gtbensley]

I did and they are full and older but not aweful. I think it's low hydro....but didn't want to dig too much in front of the seller.

I'm going to move on from this one unless he wants to sell cheaper which he won't. So I likely won't be buying this one.

 

[Seven Gables]

Rotary Union leak will usually be internal between seals, you won't see drips. Another easy check lift the tracks off the ground one side at a time and try to spin the bottom rollers, should roll by hand and be smooth. If you see flat spots on the rollers where the chain rides means roller has locked up and chain is skidding over it.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’d walk away unless you get such a good deal that you have thousands extra left for repairs. Even then it would have to be cheaper than a healthy machine for the hassle you go through

 

[gtbensley]

I’d walk away unless you get such a good deal that you have thousands extra left for repairs. Even then it would have to be cheaper than a healthy machine for the hassle you go through

My feeling as well. High teens and I might buy it....but not going to happen

 

[Muhammad]

My feeling as well. High teens and I might buy it....but not going to happen

Exactly. He's looking for market rate but has some undiagnosed issues. Major skip.