What Can You Use an Excavator For?

Excavators are indispensable in numerous industries due to their immense power and versatility.¹ Acquiring an excavator, particularly a used one, can significantly enhance a company’s capabilities and efficiency.

Excavators offer a wide range of applications, providing significant benefits to construction projects and beyond:

Enhanced Capabilities: They excel at digging, lifting, demolishing, and grading various construction projects with precision.²
Time Savings: Their ability to move heavy loads quickly and efficiently translates into considerable time savings on job sites.
Improved Safety: For operators working on uneven or rocky ground, excavators provide a stable and safe platform.³

The versatility of excavators is greatly expanded by the use of different attachments.⁴ Commonly used attachments include:

Buckets: For digging and scooping various materials.⁵ These come in various sizes (narrow, general purpose, broad) and tooth configurations for different ground conditions.
Grapples: For grasping and moving oversized or irregularly shaped materials.⁶
Augers: For drilling holes for fence posts, pilings, or other structural elements.⁷
Trenchers: For digging narrow trenches for pipelines, cables, or drainage systems.⁸
Grading Buckets: Wider, flat-bottomed buckets designed for leveling and shaping terrain.⁹

Beyond these, excavators with specialized attachments are used for:

Demolition: With hydraulic breakers, shears, and crushers for breaking down concrete, stone, and structures.¹⁰
Material Handling: Using clamps and magnets to move heavy materials like concrete, scrap metal, or logs.¹¹
Forestry Work: With mulchers, tree shears, and stump grinders for land clearing, timber harvesting, and brush cutting.¹²
Mining: For digging and removing minerals, coal, and overburden in open-pit operations.
Dredging: For clearing sediment and debris from waterways using specialized buckets or pontoon excavators.¹³
Pile Driving: Using vibratory pile drivers to sink and extract piles.
Road Construction and Maintenance: For digging, grading, and moving materials during roadworks.
Landscaping: For sculpting landforms, digging ponds, and preparing gardens.¹⁴
Snow Removal: With plows or snow blower attachments in colder climates.
Underground Excavation (Tunneling): For creating subterranean passages.
Disaster Cleanup: For removing debris and assisting in recovery efforts after natural disasters.¹⁵

How Much Does an Excavator Cost?

The price of an excavator varies significantly based on whether it is new or used, and is influenced by several key factors:

Brand and Model: Renowned brands often command higher prices due to their reputation for quality parts, reliability, and service.¹⁶
Type and Size: Excavators come in mini, medium, and large sizes, each suited for different types of work and priced accordingly.¹⁷
- New Mid-size crawler excavators (100-275 hp): $180,000 – $300,000
- New Larger crawler excavators (300-500 hp): $350,000 – $850,000
Age and Condition: Used equipment is generally less expensive than new.¹⁸ Newer models might cost more due to updated technology and safety features.
- Used Mid-size crawler excavators (good condition, 2,500-4,000 hours): $100,000 – $175,000
- Used Full-size crawler excavators (well-maintained, 2,500-4,000 hours): $175,000 – $250,000
Location and Market Demand: Transportation costs for equipment over long distances can increase the overall expense.¹⁹ Local market demand and competition among sellers also influence pricing.

Tips for Buying a Used Excavator

Buying a used excavator requires diligent inspection and a trustworthy seller, much like purchasing a used car.²⁰

Choose Sellers You Respect:
- Always purchase from a reputable dealer. Third-party marketplaces often lack the verification of equipment condition that trusted dealers provide.
- Trusted dealers have a reputation to maintain, often with published reviews and testimonials. They inspect equipment thoroughly and often share their findings transparently.
Inspect the Excavator (Critical Areas):
- Hydraulic System: Check for any hydraulic or coolant leaks from the pump, hoses, lines, or cylinders.²¹ This indicates potential poor condition or maintenance.
- Undercarriage: Examine rollers, sprockets, and tracks/tires for excessive wear, damage, or rust.²² The undercarriage is crucial and can be costly to repair.²³
- Frame and Cab: Look for rust, cracks, bending, twisting, or welding issues in the metal structures. These can compromise the machine’s structural integrity.
- Attachments: Inspect any included attachments (e.g., bucket edges, grapples) for wear, broken or missing parts, and rust.
- Tracks or Tires: For tracks, check tension, cracks, and visible wear.²⁴ For tires, inspect pressure, wear patterns, and visible damage.
- Even with good maintenance, some wear is normal for used equipment. However, extensive issues in these areas can lead to significant repair costs. Consider the overall investment, including potential repairs and the equipment’s expected longevity.
Check Maintenance Records:
- Always request comprehensive maintenance records. These provide a history of how well the machine was cared for and can help predict future replacement needs.
- Combined with the equipment’s age and previous usage (indicated by the hour meter), maintenance records offer a fuller picture of the machine’s true condition.

Used Excavator Buying Checklist:

A detailed checklist helps ensure a wise used equipment purchase:

Hydraulic System:

Check the hydraulic filter.
Look over hoses for leaks.
Observe the oil tank level.
Inspect cylinders, pins, and bearings.
Look at the slew ring for signs of wear or excessive play (wobbly movement, grating sounds).

Electrical System:

Check for frayed wires, loose connections, and corrosion.
Inspect the battery and terminals for leaks or corrosion.
Look at internal and external lights for proper function.

Fluid Levels:

Check engine oil level and condition.
Look at transmission fluid level and condition.
Inspect coolant level and look for leaks.

Engine and Transmission:

Check for leaks.
Listen for strange vibrations or noises while the machine is running.
Look at the final drives for signs of issues.

Undercarriage:

Check for rust and scratches.
Look over rollers and sprockets for wear.

Structure and Frame:

Check the frame for damage like bending, cracking, or welding issues.
Look over the chassis for rust or other signs of damage.

Tires or Tracks:

Tires: Check pressure, wear, and visible damage.
Tracks: Inspect tension, cracks, and visible wear.

Attachments and Cab:

Check the bucket or other attachments for visible wear.
Look over the cab for wear or damage.

Safety Features:

Ask about and test all safety features.
Check the cab’s seatbelt condition.

Condition Indicators:

Check the hour meter (ensure it’s working and appears accurate).
Review the maintenance history for insights into care and repairs.

Operational Testing:

Test controls and movements for smooth operation.
Listen carefully for unusual sounds during your test.

For added assurance, consider asking a professional mechanic for their advice. When purchasing online, stick to trusted sellers who complete and publish their inspection findings.

Lifespan of a Well-Maintained Used Excavator

A well-maintained excavator can have an average lifespan of 7,000 to 10,000 operating hours. Some top brands, with excellent care and regular maintenance, can even exceed 10,000 to 15,000 hours, potentially lasting 10-15 years or more. Factors affecting lifespan include:

Usage Intensity: Heavy, demanding work can reduce lifespan.²⁵
Maintenance Practices: Regular inspections, fluid changes, and prompt repairs are crucial.²⁶
Operator Skill: Proper operation minimizes wear and tear.²⁷
Environmental Factors: Extreme temperatures, abrasive materials, or uneven surfaces can impact longevity.²⁸

Finding Used Heavy Equipment With Wagner Equipment Co.

Wagner Equipment Co., serving New Mexico, Colorado, and far west Texas since 1976, specializes in quality Cat® equipment.²⁹ They offer a comprehensive solution for construction professionals, including:

Wide Inventory: Stocked with new, used, and rental machinery.
Thorough Inspections: All used equipment is closely inspected, with detailed specs available for buyers.
Additional Services: Machine rental, parts and service, financing options, technician training, and consignment services.
Global Reach: They sell used equipment locally and worldwide, arranging transport as needed.³⁰

By focusing on a trusted seller and conducting thorough inspections, companies can confidently acquire a used excavator that meets their business goals and provides years of reliable service.