Before you buy a used wheel loader, you should check and test the machine. Here we show you what you should look out for.
Since we have been doing nothing but assessing the condition of used machines for our customers for over 16 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.
We are MEVAS – The Heavy Equipment inspectors. Our intention is to set the standards for independent used equipment inspections in Europe.
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.
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.
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. Contact us if you have any questions.
Hey brother, have you found any used construction machines in China that catch your interest? Maybe in Shanghai? See the inspection price info for Shanghai and Hefei on bottom of this page.
Shanghai is known for having a lot of interesting construction machines like excavators, wheel loaders, rollers, motor graders, and other road construction machines. However, in China, you cannot blindly trust sellers as it is common for Chinese machines to be repainted and re-labelled, making it hard to identify the actual country of origin. This can be an unpleasant surprise for buyers when the machine arrives in another country and spare parts are unavailable. To avoid this, it is highly recommended that you have used construction machinery inspected in China before shipment. It is especially important not to make any down payments until you are sure about the condition and country of origin of the machine.
Our service in China includes a visual inspection of the machine with a functional test using the seller’s driver. Our inspector takes various photos and videos and visually checks the condition and wear of the machine, including the serial numbers and engines. They also look for leaks and cracks on the chassis, assess the attachments and tires, and make an assessment of the reliability of the seller. While this may not be a perfect technical inspection service, it can help you avoid the biggest mistakes when buying a machine in China. We have had some unpleasant surprises in Shanghai and its surrounding areas, and some of our customers have lost a lot of money there. Some even ended up with a different machine than the one they inspected. Therefore, we highly recommend a second inspection at the port before shipment to be sure of what you are buying. We inspect all brands such as Caterpillar, Tadano, Komatsu or Doosan.
In most cases we can inspect a single excavator or wheel loader in Shanghai for a fee of 800 Euro. If you have more than one machine in the same location a discount applies. Each additional machine in same location costs 300 Euro. Our inspectors there can inspect any construction machine such as motor-grader, bulldozer, excavator, wheel loader, truck, asphalt roller and any kind of mobile crane.
For inspections in Hefei area we need at least two units to go. Inspection for two units in Hefei would cost 1.700 Euro.
Analyzing the oils used in construction machinery can be useful to get information about wear from the contents of the used oil. 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.
For meaningful results, it is necessary to warm up the machine first. Otherwise there will be many particles 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. Then use a very clean container and a pump to remove the oil, e.g. from the engine/the hydraulic circuit or from the gearbox. The extracted oils need to be 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.
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.
Mevas offers oil sampling as additional service during inspections. 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. Do you have any questions? Feel free to comment below the blog or send us a message.
Oil analysis, also known as fluid analysis or lubricant analysis, is a valuable diagnostic tool used in the maintenance and management of excavators and wheel loaders, as well as other heavy equipment. Here are some of the key benefits and purposes of oil analysis for these machines:
In summary, oil analysis is a valuable tool for excavators and wheel loaders, as it aids in the early detection of problems, extends the life of components, optimizes performance, reduces maintenance costs, and contributes to efficient equipment management. It is an essential part of a comprehensive maintenance and reliability program for heavy equipment.
Most people in the machinery industry know Mevas as a German inspection service with inspectors in Europe. Did you know we also have a technician in Dubai? Engineer Anas is covering the Emirates for us and is a really experienced guy. Just recently he inspected for us a CAT D8R bulldozer including measurement of undercarriage and download of the CAT-PSR from machine ECM.
We can offer inspections in all areas of the UAE. Our inspector can be present on the auction site of Ritchie Bros. Dubai to support your business. On auction sites we offer a special kind of inspection for a lower fee. Call us for more details.
Importing a used heavy machine like a bulldozer from the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) or any other country in the Middle East involves several steps and considerations. Here’s a general guide on how to import a used bulldozer:
Keep in mind that the specific requirements and regulations can vary greatly depending on your country, so it’s essential to consult with local customs authorities, import experts, and legal professionals who specialize in import/export regulations to ensure a smooth and compliant import process.
