Category: English posts

Don’t miss these items when a used excavator is being inspected

Posted on by in English posts

Where can I find a excavator inspection checklist?

Inspection of used excavators is not everyone’s daily business. Less experienced technician sometimes miss important items such as a leaking swivel, play in swing bearing, cracks in boom or worn idler guides. A good strategy before you inspect used equipment is using a detailed inspection checklist. For excavators or any other machinery you need to check or get checked. So you make sure to check every component and make sure no important item will be missed. Here you can find a sample for such an checklist.

Mevas checklist

If no own engineer is available for the inspection – talk to us. We have local technicians in many countries.

CAT 374 tracked excavator

Which items should be inspected during an excavator inspection?

During inspection of a used track excavator, the following items should be inspected:

  1. Engine and transmission (wheel excavator)
  2. Hydraulic system and pumps, pump drive
  3. Undercarriage components and tires on wheel excavators
  4. Cab and controls
  5. Boom and stick
  6. Bucket and teeth
  7. Electrical system, ECM, ECU, monitoring system and alert lights
  8. Swing bearing and swing gear

It is important to inspect each of these items thoroughly, as they are critical components that affect the excavator’s performance and overall condition. Some of these items are more critical than others, such as the engine and hydraulic system, which directly impact the excavator’s power and operation, while others, such as the cab and controls, affect the operator’s comfort and safety. The importance of each item will depend on the specific use case and requirements for the machine.

Tracked Excavator Inspection

What are the important assemblies of a crawler excavator?

A crawler excavator is a complex piece of heavy machinery designed for digging, excavation, and earthmoving tasks. It consists of several important assemblies and components that work together to perform various functions. Here are the key assemblies of a typical crawler excavator:

  1. Crawler Tracks: The crawler tracks are a critical component that allows the excavator to move on various terrains. They consist of a system of tracks or chains, sprockets, and rollers.
  2. Undercarriage: The undercarriage includes the lower frame of the excavator and houses the crawler tracks, rollers, and sprockets. It provides stability and mobility to the machine.
  3. Upper Structure: The upper structure houses the engine, operator’s cabin, and hydraulic systems. It is the part of the excavator that rotates and pivots on the undercarriage.
  4. Engine: The engine is responsible for generating the power required to operate the excavator. Crawler excavators typically use diesel engines for their high torque and reliability.
  5. Hydraulic System: The hydraulic system powers the various functions of the excavator, including the boom, arm, bucket, and other attachments. It controls the flow and pressure of hydraulic fluid to operate the machine’s movements.
  6. Boom: The boom is an extendable arm that is attached to the upper structure and is used for reaching and lifting. It can be raised, lowered, and extended.
  7. Arm: The arm, also known as the dipper arm or stick, is connected to the boom and can be extended and retracted. It plays a crucial role in reaching and digging.
  8. Bucket: The bucket is attached to the arm and is used for digging, scooping, and loading materials. Buckets come in various sizes and configurations for different tasks.
  9. Operator’s Cabin: The operator’s cabin is where the machine is controlled. It houses the controls, displays, and a comfortable seat for the operator.
  10. Counterweight: The counterweight is a heavy weight placed at the rear of the excavator to balance the weight of the front-end attachments and prevent the machine from tipping over.
  11. Hydraulic Cylinders: These are responsible for moving and controlling the boom, arm, and bucket. They extend and retract to perform digging and lifting operations.
  12. Control System: The control system includes joysticks, pedals, and buttons in the operator’s cabin that allow the operator to control the various movements and functions of the excavator.
  13. Attachments: Crawler excavators can be equipped with various attachments such as grapples, breakers, thumbs, and more, depending on the specific job requirements.

These are the fundamental assemblies and components of a crawler excavator. The combination of these elements enables the machine to perform a wide range of excavation and construction tasks with precision and efficiency.

What is different between a tracked and a wheel excavator?

A wheel excavator, as the name suggests, differs from a crawler excavator primarily in its mode of mobility. While the basic functions and components are similar, the wheel excavator is mounted on wheels instead of crawler tracks. Here are the key differences between a wheel excavator and a crawler excavator:

  1. Mobility:
  • Crawler Excavator: It is equipped with crawler tracks that provide excellent stability and traction on uneven or soft terrain. Crawler excavators are often used in rough and challenging terrains, including construction sites, mines, and forestry operations.
  • Wheel Excavator: Wheel excavators are mounted on wheels, similar to a typical vehicle. They are more suitable for operating on roads or other solid surfaces. Wheel excavators offer greater speed and mobility on paved or firm ground, making them well-suited for urban construction or roadwork.
  1. Undercarriage:
  • Crawler Excavator: It has a heavy undercarriage that houses the crawler tracks, rollers, and sprockets, which provide stability and distribute the machine’s weight evenly over a larger surface area.
  • Wheel Excavator: The undercarriage of a wheel excavator consists of wheels and tires, which are more similar to those of a truck or a vehicle. This undercarriage is designed for improved road travel.
  1. Ground Pressure:
  • Crawler Excavator: Crawler excavators have a lower ground pressure due to the larger surface area of their tracks, making them suitable for work in soft or sensitive terrains without causing as much ground damage.
  • Wheel Excavator: Wheel excavators typically have a higher ground pressure compared to crawler excavators. This can make them less suitable for soft or sensitive ground conditions.
  1. Versatility:
  • Crawler Excavator: Crawler excavators are known for their versatility in off-road applications and rough terrains. They can handle a wide range of tasks, from digging and lifting to forestry work.
  • Wheel Excavator: Wheel excavators are more specialized for tasks that involve frequent movement between job sites on solid surfaces. They are often used for urban construction, road maintenance, and tasks that require frequent relocation.
  1. Speed and Travel:
  • Crawler Excavator: While crawler excavators are slower when it comes to road travel, they excel in off-road mobility and stability.
  • Wheel Excavator: Wheel excavators can travel at higher speeds on roads and are better suited for tasks that involve longer travel distances between worksites.

In summary, the main difference between a wheel excavator and a crawler excavator is their mobility and undercarriage. Wheel excavators are designed for jobs that require frequent movement on roads and solid surfaces, while crawler excavators excel in off-road applications and challenging terrains. The choice between the two types of excavators depends on the specific job requirements and operating conditions.

Service and component history

Posted on by in English posts

How to find info about service history of used heavy machinery?

When buying used construction machinery, it is particularly important, especially for large machines, to obtain information about the service and component history of the machine. When was the engine changed, when were repairs made to the hydraulic pump, when were axles changed, when was the last service and how old are the oils on the machine. In the used machinery business, machines often go unfathomable ways. If you find a machine in Holland, it is not a foregone conclusion that this machine has also worked in Holland – it may well be that the machine comes from Romania or Finland. So it would be important to get some data. In most cases, however, sellers will not reveal where they bought a used construction machine. With a mini-excavator, this information is not so important. But if you buy a 300 hp wheel loader, you should know what the machine has done before and whether it has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications. An important criterion is whether, for example, the original engine and the original gearbox are still fitted. If this information is missing, the remaining service life of the machine and its components cannot be estimated well.

Forensic search for info about machine maintenance

The best way to find out this information is to do a thorough inspection and look for information about the origin of the machine, e.g. on the stickers in the cabin. If the dealer or seller does not want to provide the information, you can also call the manufacturer’s service partner in the respective country, where you might get the missing information. During an inspection with a contractor one can usually get some info from the local service staff.

Sticker with service information for heavy equipment maintenance

Downloading machine info from ECU

On some machines the local dealer or an inspection service such as Mevas can download a summary from the machine ECU or ECM. Especially for Caterpillar and Volvo we can provide such service. The summary contains info about error codes, overheating or engine overspeeding. In some cases we can support with phone contact to service providers in other countries. Due our large network in the international machinery industry we know many people in various countries. Contact us please for a quotation and more info.

What is a Caterpillar PSR? How can you obtain it?

The PSR is the so-called Product Status Report. It can be downloaded from the internal ECM’s of a CAT machine or any other machine with a Caterpillar engine. To download you would need a CAT-ET, the so-called Electronic Technician. CAT dealer staff and services such as Mevas can do this for you.

What information does the PSR document contain?

The PSR contains some important information such as:

  • Engine lifetime hours
  • Transmission lifetime hours
  • Hydraulic Configuration
  • Lifetime fuel consumption
  • Injector Calibration Status
  • Diagnostic Codes (Error Codes)
  • Lifetime Temperatures for various components
  • Tool Configuration
PSR and Machine Checklist

Why inspect used equipment before buying?

Posted on by in English posts

Be carefully when you purchase from unknown suppliers

Searching for dependable used equipment can be a challenging endeavor. It’s crucial to thoroughly assess the condition of any secondhand machinery before making a purchase, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the seller.

What should you consider and investigate?

  1. Evaluate the Seller: If you’re unfamiliar with the seller, exercise extra caution. We’ll delve deeper into this aspect in the following section.
  2. Working Hours Analysis: Scrutinize the machine’s working hours. Do they align with the machine’s overall condition and its year of manufacture? Try to gather information about the machine’s history from the seller to gain a clearer picture.
  3. Inspect for Wear and Tear: Examine the machine for any signs of wear and tear. Check the condition of essential components such as the ROPS, chassis, boom/stick for dents, bends, re-welded areas, or small cracks. Avoid purchasing equipment that might lead to costly issues down the road.
  4. Hydraulic System Assessment: Take a close look at the hydraulic system. Are the hydraulic oil levels within the normal range or too high? In the case of excess hydraulic oil, investigate for potential leaks.
  5. Tire and Undercarriage Examination: Tires and undercarriage components can represent a substantial cost. Assess the remaining service life of the tires and drive components to gauge potential future expenses.
  6. Functional Test/Test Drive: After scrutinizing the above aspects, conduct a function test or a test drive. Start the machine to observe its performance, and listen for any unusual noises or exhaust emissions. This step is vital in ensuring the equipment’s functionality.
  7. Attachments Inspection: If attachments are included in the sale, perform a thorough visual inspection to verify their condition and compatibility.

By paying careful attention to these seven critical factors, you can make a more informed decision when considering the purchase of used equipment.

More technical details:

Check used equipment carefully

Another important note

We want to remind you to be carefully when negotiating heavy equipment which is offered on the Internet. A few of those sites have just been created for fraud.

Be attentive if: 

  1. Machine price is far lower than for comparable units
  2. The seller makes pressure to decide very quickly: He pretends other people are interested in the same machine.
  3. The seller has just a mobile phone number and no landline.
  4. The seller requests a down-payment to reserve the machine.

We are Mevas – die Heavy Equipment Inspectors

Hopefully our list has been helpful to you. If you are unsure about any of the points, just get in touch with us. This is our WhatsApp. We inspect machines like excavators, wheel loaders, dumpers, graders, rollers, material handlers and dozers every day and know these machines very well.

Is it a good idea to buy used machinery at auctions?

Posted on by in English posts

Who can inspect equipment at EuroAuctions Dormagen?

It can make sense to buy machines at auctions. However, to avoid problems, we recommend that you inspect the machine you are interested in before bidding.

Mevas has technicans available who can inspect the lots you are interested in at this auction. We offer quick inspections where we focus on the most important points and full inspections. You discuss with us what scope is required and what is important to you.

Of course, we can also be found at most upcoming auctions. Par example at the rb auction in France. We offer used machinery inspections in more than 25 countries with an international team of technicians. MEVAS provides inbiased pre-delivery inspections and appraisals for second-hand machines since 2006.

Inspection at an auction

How to order the inspection?

You can order this inspection online at our shop. But it is more easier if you contact us via our contact form and we will reply with an price offer. You can also contact us if you have any further questions. Our technicians analyse the condition of many different makes, such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Cummins, Volvo and Liebherr.

How to estimate the remaining life of the undercarriage of a dozer?

Posted on by in English posts

Did you ever measure undercarriage components to know their remaining life?

The most expensive and most important assembly when evaluating a bulldozer is certainly the undercarriage. Therefore, when inspecting bulldozers, we pay special attention to the condition of the undercarriage. We have reference values for Caterpillar machines and measure all components. This allows us to accurately determine the remaining service life. We have created an instruction in which we explain our procedure step by step. Click here to watch it. After watching you know what to look for when measuring the track shoes, sprockets, track links, bushings and idlers. If you are not sure about measuring or have any questions – just contact us.

Do not forget to check

Other important points when inspecting a used dozer are the play in the joints and bearings, especially in the so-called equalizer bar. This cross member connects the right and left undercarriage frames on many bulldozers. Together with the pivots in the rear area of ​​the drive frame, this cross member enables the drives to move horizontally. If you want to know more – get here to a short film. Make sure  that you look for these points, otherwise very expensive repairs may become necessary.

Undercarriage meassurement at idler with caliber

Trained technicans for used bulldozers

If you need assistance in evaluating used machines, Mevas technicians can help you. We are trained for the special requirements when inspecting second-hand machines. We view a machine as you would as a buyer. Small things are noted, but not highly weighted. However, we thoroughly examine the condition of the expensive and important components.

How to measure engine blow-by ?

Posted on by in English posts

Engine Blow-By: An Overview

A combustion engine operates by burning fuel in a cylinder, where a piston moves up and down. The piston is sealed towards the cylinder by piston rings. However, a certain amount of exhaust gas escapes from the combustion chamber into the crankcase housing, which is referred to as “blow-by.” A visual representation of this can be found at diesel.net.

Checking the Engine for Blow-By

When inspecting a used machine, it is essential to assess the engine for the amount of blow-by. By measuring the amount of escaping gas, an experienced inspector can estimate the engine wear. Typically, this can be done by placing a hand on top of the oil filler tube and checking for the amount of blow. The inspector will also examine the smell of the gas for any signs of burned oil or coolant in the engine lubrication system.

Engine blow-by measurement

On larger engines, it may be necessary to measure the blow-by and compare it with the manufacturer’s specifications. Some inspectors may be equipped with a gauge, called an anemometer, for this purpose. However, it is important for the inspector to have a good understanding of the engine configuration as not all gas escapes through the oil filler tube. Some engines may have a certain amount of blow-by even when new. Inspectors opening filler tubes on Perkins engines can tell stories about it.

Examining Engine Condition through Exhaust Fumes

Experienced technicians can use the appearance and smell of the exhaust fumes to determine the condition of the engine. For example, if the engine is burning oil, the technician may detect a burnt oil odour. The colour and amount of smoke can also provide insights into the engine’s condition. Engine smoke can appear white, grey, grey-blue, or black. If the smoke appears abnormal, the inspector may need to examine the engine systems closely for issues such as malfunctioning injectors or coolant entering the engine lubrication.

Engine oil sampling

Last but not least it is an option to send an oil sample for analysis. A certified lab will provide info about oil condition and containment. Engineers can read a lot from sample as long as it is known how long the engine oil was in use.

Using an inspection app

We are often approached by developers of machinery inspection apps, who believe that anyone can perform an inspection with the right application and guidelines. However, from our perspective, it is still necessary for an inspector to have several years of experience with machines and engines to accurately assess the engine’s condition.

Do you wish to read a version of this article in German language?

Functional test for heavy equipment

Posted on by in English posts, International-Posts

How to perform the stall test on a CAT 777D?

Warm up the engine and the transmission, drive the machine to a flat area and engage the Service brake with all efforts. Activate the parking brake and put the transmission into Reverse. Rev up the engine and check the rpm gauge – this will be the stall speed. Compare the values with the factory specs.

Who can inspect used heavy equipment?

If you don’t have reference values or the possibility to look at a machine before buying, please contact us. We have experts who will do it for you. Not only in Europe, also in many other countries worldwide.

CAT 777
Caterpillar CAT 777D quarry truck – inspected by Mevas

Independent inspections for used Equipment

Posted on by in English posts, International-Posts

Where to buy road construction machinery?

Do you know where to buy used road construction machinery? You are looking for an excavator, a grader, roller, a paver, an asphalt feeder, scraper or soil stabilizer? We don’t sell any machinery, but maybe our site Usedequipment will help you. There you will find search portals for road construction machinery in Europe.

At Mevas, we inspect around 600 construction machines and road construction equipment per year and document the actual condition for customers worldwide. If you do not have the opportunity to see the machine before the sales negotiation, we are there for you as an independent service provider. We read the ECMs (electronic control units) of Volvo and Caterpillar machines. For many machines we can get service history information.

If required, we can take oil samples of engine and hydraulic oil and have them analysed in the lab.

Whether asphalt milling machines, road pavers, concrete pumps, recycling plants, screening machines, pipe layers, wheel dozers, drilling rigs/pile drivers, motor graders, soil stabilisers, cold milling machines, etc. – We have specialised technicians in our team. Our technicians are available in many countries worldwide. If you need details of a specific inspection or a price quote, please contact us.

Vögele 1800 paver asphalt
Vögele 1800 paver – inspected by Mevas

Farm Machinery Inspections

Posted on by in English posts, International-Posts

Who is doing inspections for used farm machinery?

Most people in the machinery industry know Mevas as inspection service for used construction machinery. Did you know we also inspect agricultural machinery? This year we have already checked some tractors, sprayers, telehandlers and trailers for our customers.

Expert opinion for used agricultural machinery 

Are you going to buy used agricultural equipment? If you don’t have the opportunity to check them by yourself, Mevas can support you. Especially if you do not know the seller, it’s recommended to check if the condition of the used machine matches the seller’s offer. Instead of “bought as seen” we offer to inspect and test used agricultural equipment for you at many locations in Europe before you buy.

We check tractors, harvesters, sprayers and trailers for you. To give you an idea of the scope of our services, you can download a sample report for a tractor here.

Hardi Sprayer

Oil analysis for heavy equipment

Posted on by in English posts, International-Posts

What is oil sampling and how to do it?

Analyzing the oils used in construction machinery can be useful because you can read information about wear from the contents of the used oil. To do this, a mechanic or technician uses a very clean container and a pump to remove oil, e.g. from the engine, from the hydraulic circuit or from the gearbox. The extracted oils are sent to a certified laboratory. There, the lubricants are analyzed for their ingredients using various methods. It can be used to determine whether there are increased levels of silicon, sulphur, copper, coolant or other trace elements in the oil.

Inspector Wolfgang just took an oil sample
Heavy Machinery Oil sampling

When is it reasonable to analyse oils of used heavy equipment?

An analysis of the existing oils only makes sense if you have an approximate idea of ​​how long the oil was in use. If the oil has only recently been changed, an analysis of the condition is not very useful. There are then too few analyzable particles in the oil. If the oil used is much older than permitted, i.e. the change intervals have been significantly exceeded, the values ​​will also be incorrect. But if the oil is in a normal change cycle, you can read a lot of information from the trace elements. It is therefore important to know whether the prescribed maintenance intervals on the construction machine have been observed.

What influence have working hours and temperatures to oil condition?

As already described above, it is important to know or to be able to estimate the service life of the existing oils. And to get meaningful results, it is necessary to warm up the machine. Otherwise there will be many particles, e.g. deposited on the bottom of the oil pan or in the filter. The oil must therefore be vigorously moved and the viscosity increased in order to obtain meaningful results.

What info does an oil sample report contain and what does it tell us?

A professional laboratory for the analysis of construction machine oils usually provides us with an interpretation of the analyzed values. Too much silicon means dirt gets into the machine’s systems and you have to look at where and how dirt gets into the system. If coolant is found in the engine oil, there is a problem in the cooling system. If traces of aluminum are found in the transmission oil, one can conclude that there is increased wear in some components. The same applies to the presence of chromium, copper or magnesium. As soon as we have the results of an oil analysis, our technicians will advise you and describe the possible causes. A hint is given on what to do to avoid early problems.

By the way, to guarantee high quality of our oil analysis we work on this sector with the lab of Zeppelin Baumaschinen which is the CAT dealer for several countries in Europe.