Global Heavy Equipment Inspections

Before you buy a used wheel loader, you should check and test the machine. Here are the key items that should be checked during the inspection of a used wheel loader prior to purchase:

Certainly! Here’s a detailed checklist of items to inspect when considering the purchase of a used wheel loader:

Wheel Loader Inspection Checklist

1. General Appearance

• Look for cracks, dents, excessive rust, or signs of repaired damage.
• Examine the overall cleanliness and maintenance status.

2. Engine

• Start the engine and check for unusual noises, smoke, or vibrations.
• Inspect for leaks around the engine (oil, coolant, fuel).
• Review the air filter and belts for wear.
• Check engine oil quality and level.

3. Transmission & Powertrain

• Test all gears and directions for smooth shifting.
• Listen for abnormal sounds while operating.
• Inspect transmission fluid for correct level and color.

4. Hydraulic System

• Operate all functions (lift, tilt, steering, etc.) and watch for smooth operation.
• Inspect hoses, fittings, and cylinders for leaks or damage.
• Check fluid levels and inspect for contamination.

5. Bucket & Attachments

• Look for wear, cracks, bends, or damaged edges/teeth.
• Check for excessive play in linkages and pivot points.
• Test all attachment movements for precision.

6. Tires & Wheels

• Inspect tread depth, overall wear, and signs of damage (cuts, bulges).
• Check tire pressure.
• Examine wheel rims and lugs for damage or looseness.

7. Brakes

• Test brake function and pedal response.
• Inspect brake pads/shoes, discs/drums for wear.
• Look for leaks or damage in brake lines.

8. Steering & Articulation

• Check steering for smoothness and responsiveness.
• Inspect articulation joints, steering cylinders, and related connections for excessive play, cracks, or lack of lubrication.

9. Operator Cab & Controls

• Examine seat, seatbelt, windows, mirrors, and controls for condition and proper function.
• Test air conditioning, heater, wipers, lights, gauges, and backup alarm.
• Check for water leaks or excessive dust.

10. Electrical System

• Inspect battery condition and terminals.
• Test all switches, indicators, and lights.
• Check for loose or frayed wires.

11. Fluids & Lubrication

• Check engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, and transmission oil for level and condition.
• Look for signs of neglect or contamination.

12. Frame & Structure

• Inspect frame and arms for cracks, welds, or signs of previous repairs.
• Check roll-over protection and structural integrity.

13. Documentation

• Request maintenance records and prior inspection/service history.
• Verify serial number and match against documents.

14. Functional & Operational Test

• Perform a driving test to check overall operation.
• Assess loader performance under different loads, paying attention to handling and responsiveness.

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Conducting a thorough inspection using these checkpoints will help you gauge the loader’s condition and value, minimizing risks with your purchase.

20 Years of Experience with inspections

Since we have been doing nothing but assessing the condition of used machines for our customers for over 20 years, we know wheel loaders very well. With Volvo and Caterpillar machines, for example, we can read out the ECM and thus obtain data on the machine history and we know the weak points of some series. Asl Mevas if you need a wheel loader inspected anywhere in the world.

We are MEVAS – The Heavy Equipment inspectors. Our intention is to set the standards for independent used equipment inspections in Europe.

16+ Years of Experience

Mevas (the acronym stands for Machinery Evaluation Services) was founded in 2006 to provide an independent inspection service for used heavy machinery. Our office is located in Germany. However, through our network of contract inspectors and technicians, we can offer our inspection service in almost all European countries, the Middle East, parts of Africa, Shanghai/China and Australia. This means that we are often not too far away from the plants to be inspected. This allows us to react flexibly to customer requests.

Independent and reliable

The basis of our policy is absolute independence from sellers, providers and dealers of used machinery. MEVAS and all commissioned equipment inspectors are not involved in the machinery trade. We do not accept commissions and do not prepare appraisals for the benefit of third parties. Rather, we pride ourselves on providing a completely unbiased assessment of all machinery we inspect.

We keep our client relationships and inspection results confidential. A completed inspection report is for the exclusive use of the client. We do not speak anywhere about machines we have inspected or about other machines we have seen.

Clients around the globe

Many customers from around the world trust in our services. In an average year we inspect approximately 800 used machines, trucks and cranes. We inspect small machines such as mini excavators as well as large machines in the mining industry and are also able to carry out large assessment projects. Our team has also member to inspect professionally the condition of overhead cranes. Contact us if you have any questions.

You want to purchase used heavy equipment but you don’t know the seller? The machine is in the United Kingdom or Ireland and too far for you to inspect yourself? Send a specialized engineer to inspect it on your behalf for a fair price. It pays off. Our engineers inspect excavators, tractors, dozers, trucks, concrete pumps, wheel loaders, cranes, overhead cranes and other heavy equipment.

Local technicians

MEVAS is based in Germany but we have a local engineers in the United Kingdom and Ireland for machinery and crane inspections. We are specialized in Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, JCB, Volvo and some other brands.

Pre Purchase machinery inspection

Is a pre-purchase inspection for used heavy machinery profitable? In most cases it is. MEVAS engineers often find problems the seller did not mention. The inspection report allows you to negotiate repairs or a better price. In some cases, we simply protect the buyer from paying a lot of money for a bad machine.

Our engineers in the UK and in Ireland have years of experience with heavy machinery. They have been approved by our management to meet MEVAS inspection standards.

Contact us

Feel free to ask for a quotation. Please send us a description of items, tell us the day you need the inspections and how flexible the inspection date is. More info is available also on our website www.mevas.co.uk

Who can inspect used mining and construction equipment on the African continent?

Mevas is based in Germany and having a large network of independent machinery inspectors. Most technicians are based in Europe. However, we know engineers and technicians from the industry in so many countries. It is very likely that we can support with inspections in many areas in Africa. For sure we have inspection partners in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and in some Arabic countries.

Mining and Plant engineers

Since we are an inspection company, offering this service since 2006 and because Wolfgang is in the industry sine 1982 we have many connections and we know many engineers. We have been inspecting machines in Botswana, Gabun, Tunisia, Nigeria and Ghana. No problem for our technicians to travel to many other countries.

Which inspection level is offered?

Depending on location and who we can send the level of inspection ranges from TA-1 to TA-2 which are Caterpillar descriptions for heavy machinery inspections. get in touch with us for more details and a specific offer.

What kind of equipment can we inspect in Africa?

• bulldozers and tracked loaders
• wheel loaders and backhoe loaders
• earthmoving and mining excavators
• quarry and mining trucks
• road construction machinery
• crushing and screen plant

The inspection fee for machinery in Africa depends very much on location. If you send us a machine list with location, machine types and info about local circumstances in regard of safety we can raise an offer within a few hours.

Changing the hour meter reading at Caterpillar

How is it possible to edit the hour meter on my CAT machine? Is there a possibility to change hour reading on the ECM or ECU of the machine? Can I do this with the CAT Electronic Technician? Will it be possible to see the attempt to change the hours? 

Do I need a factory passkey?

Some interesting questions, do you agree? I wonder why someone is asking Google for it. Does he want to betray a potential buyer? Some forums are full of those questions. Obviously many people have an interest to reduce the hour meter reading.

If you go to Google and start a search Google-Instant will show you the most relevant entries. It means Google proposes what many others are looking for. The screenshots I made are shoing there is a high interest in this issue. Most relevant search is Caterpillar Hour Meter Reset 🙁

How can you avoid to become a victim of hour meter fraud?

The answer is easy. Send a professional inspector to check the machine on your behalf before you purchase it. I will keep this post updated how many clicks it got from the Google search. It will show how many people are looking for this topic.

Contact us for more info on this topic. We work inthe field of used machinery inspections for more than 20 years.

Is it possible and legal to change the hour meter reading?

Yes, it is technically possible to change the service hour meter reading on a used heavy machine. However, it is illegal in many jurisdictions as it involves tampering with the machine’s records, which could be considered as fraud or misrepresentation.

In some countries, tampering with hour meter readings is a serious violation of the law and can result in heavy fines or even imprisonment.

It is always recommended to buy used heavy equipment from a reputable source and have a thorough inspection performed by a professional inspector to ensure accurate hour meter readings and the overall condition of the machine.

Checking an excavator or bulldozer 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.

Is this service included in an Mevas inspection?

Yes, on request and for larger machines this service is included for tracked machines from Caterpillar. We do measure all components. Remaining life values will be calculated with the CAT CTS Undercarriage Handbook. When inspecting machines of other brands, we assess the remaining service life based on our experience. Click here for our video explaining the measurement of the undercarriage step by step.

Since the undercarriage is one of the most expensive components on these machines and can be very expensive to replace, we recommend special attention to inspection here. If you are looking to buy a second hand machine in Europe – get the remaining life of the U/C confirmed by MEVAS.

Which tools can be used to measure U/C components?

To measure undercarriage components of a track type tractor or an excavator, the following tools can be used:

1. Track Gauge or meter – It is used to measure the track gauge, or the distance between the tracks, to ensure that it is within the manufacturer’s specifications.
2. Track Roller Caliper – It is used to measure the diameter of the track rollers and the wear on the bottom of the track roller.
3. Idler Pin Gauge – It is used to measure the idler’s diameter and the wear on the idler’s bearing surfaces.
4. Ultrasonic Gauge – It is used to measure the thickness of the track links and the wear on the bushings.
5. Chain Wear Gauge – It is used to measure the wear on the track chain and to determine if the chain needs to be replaced.
6. Shoe Height Gauge – It is used to measure the wear on the track shoe and to determine if the shoe needs to be replaced.

By using these tools, it is possible to accurately measure the wear on the undercarriage components and determine when they need to be replaced or repaired, which helps to extend the life of the track type tractor and reduce maintenance costs.

What about wear in other undercarriage components?

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.

This service for undercarriages is just a part of our wide portfolio. We know about engines, hydraulic pumps, swing bearings and machine valuation.