Frequently Asked Questions FAQ guide for buying used excavators and heavy construction equipment.

FAQ

How do I choose the right size and type of machine for my project?

Selecting the right size comes down to your job site’s depth requirement, daily payload target, and working space constraints. For tight urban spaces or utility work, a 6 to 13-ton mini or compact excavator saves fuel and transport costs. If you’re handling heavy mining or large earthmoving, a 20-ton plus crawler machine gives you the breakout force you actually need. Just send us your site condition, and we’ll map out the most cost-effective option.”

“Caterpillar and Komatsu remain the absolute industry standard for durability and high resale value. If you’re on a tighter budget but still need high hydraulics performance, Kobelco and Hitachi are exceptional, smooth-operating choices. Chinese powerhouses like SANY and XCMG have also become hugely popular globally because their parts are easy to source and maintenance cost is significantly lower.”

“A heavy machine typically reaches mid-life around 6,000 to 8,000 engine hours, while anything over 10,000 hours requires closer inspection. Well-maintained premium machines can easily run past 15,000 hours without a major overhaul. Hours are just a reference number—how well the previous owner serviced the engine and hydraulic oil matters far more than the counter display.”

“Absolutely, top-tier Chinese brands now use main components from the same global suppliers like Isuzu engines and Kawasaki pumps. They offer roughly 85% to 90% of a CAT’s working performance at nearly half the price, making your return on investment much faster. They are workhorses built specifically for high-intensity job sites.”

“Yes, we keep a fast-ship inventory of core wear-and-tear parts for every model we sell. Whether you need hydraulic seals, filters, bucket teeth, or engine sensors, we ship original or high-grade OEM parts directly via DHL or sea freight so your machine stays working.”

How do you inspect and guarantee the condition of a used machine before delivery?

“Every machine must clear our strict 50-point technical checklist before it enters our stock yard. We pressure-test the main pump, check engine blow-by, analyze oil for metal debris, and run the machine under load for at least two hours to catch hidden leaks. You get a complete video walkthrough and the full diagnostic report before signing off.”

“Listen to the engine cold-start and watch the exhaust color first, then test the hydraulic pump under full arm extension to check for power drops. We always measure swing bearing play and inspect the undercarriage wear percentage. Body paint can easily be refreshed, but a crack in the main boom or a whining hydraulic pump will cost you real money down the road.”

“We cross-reference the stamped chassis serial number directly with the manufacturer’s database and original customs entry records. Meter tampering is a common trap in the second-hand market, so we evaluate wear on the pedals, track shoes, and joystick pins to verify if the engine hours match the real mechanical condition.”

“You are more than welcome to visit our Shanghai yard in person, and we’ll handle your airport pickup and local arrangements. If you can’t travel, we set up a 1-on-1 WhatsApp live video call where our technician starts the engine, operates the controls, and zooms into any component you want to inspect in real time.”

“Yes, we regularly coordinate with SGS, Bureau Veritas, or CCIC for independent third-party inspections whenever requested. The inspector comes directly to our yard to run their own performance tests, and we only ship the machine once you are 100% satisfied with their official report.”

How do you determine a fair market price for a used excavator or equipment?

“We price our machines strictly based on three core factors: the brand/model tier, actual component condition, and real working hours. Because we source machines directly from yard liquidations and fleet upgrades without middleman markups, our quotes reflect true factory-yard value. You get honest pricing that leaves enough margin for your project profit.”

“You are buying directly from a real Shanghai yard with over 500 physical units in stock, not a broker working out of an office with borrowed photos. Our in-house engineering team refurbishes and stress-tests every unit before export, giving you the safety of a verified exporter combined with competitive direct pricing.”

“We are a direct exporter with our own dedicated physical machinery yard located in Shanghai. You can inspect hundreds of excavators, loaders, and dozers parked side-by-side at our facility anytime via video call or in-person visit.”

“Yes, we have shipped machines to over 50 countries across Southeast Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. We are happy to show you recent Bills of Lading, loading photos, and customer feedback from your region so you can trade with complete peace of mind.”

What are your terms of payment and trade (FOB, CIF, CFR)?

“We support standard T/T payments with a 30% deposit to lock the machine, and the remaining 70% paid after video inspection approval prior to loading. For trade terms, we offer flexible FOB Shanghai, CFR, or full CIF options where we cover ocean freight and marine insurance straight to your destination port.”

“We currently require full payment prior to vessel departure, as international machinery credit involves complex cross-border risk control. However, working with a clear upfront payment structure allows us to keep our equipment prices significantly lower for you by eliminating financing overhead costs.”

“Our MOQ is just 1 unit. Once your deposit is confirmed, our workshop completes final fluid changes and export cleaning within 3 to 7 days, and we get your machine loaded onto the next available vessel space.”

“We accept USD, EUR, and RMB via standard bank wire transfers. We provide a full set of official export documentation including Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, Bills of Lading, and Certificates of Origin (Form E, CO, etc.) to ensure your local customs clearance goes smoothly.”

Is sea freight safe for heavy machinery, and how do you package machines for transportation?

“Sea freight is extremely safe when handled properly, as we lock machines down using heavy-duty steel wire tensioners inside Flat Rack or Ro-Ro vessels. For containerized shipments, we carefully dismantle the bucket and boom, apply anti-rust wax spray to exposed hydraulic cylinder rods, and securely block all metal tracks against ocean movement.”

“We ship worldwide, covering major ports across Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. While you will clear customs through your local agent, we prepare all necessary compliance certificates, CE documents, and origin declarations so your clearance process is seamless.”

“Second-hand machinery is sold on an as-is basis, but we back every sale with lifelong remote technical support and cost-price spare parts supply. If an operational issue pops up on your job site, our senior engineers hop on a video call to diagnose fault codes, guide your mechanic step-by-step, and dispatch replacement parts immediately.”

“Perform a quick visual walkaround before offloading, check for any transit tie-down damage, and verify engine oil and coolant levels before turning the key. Always let the engine idle smoothly for 5 minutes so oil circulates through the turbocharger and main pump before putting the machine straight to heavy work.”

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