Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (2024)

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rupert
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (2)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (3) Posted 6/10/2014 16:42 (#3911938)
Subject: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

IA

Looking at getting a 200 class machine and wondering at what point do they normally start letting you do? I know it would depend on how it was used and what it was doing. Didnt know if there was a general guideline of what might be too many hours? 7000?8000?10000? Besides play in wear areas what else should a guy look at? thanks
smartwick08
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (6)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (7) Posted 6/10/2014 16:57 (#3911956 - in reply to #3911938)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

Minot, ND

I'd really go by condition then hours. Especially in any type of construction equipment. Look at all the pins and hoses. And run the boom and look for slop in them. And the operate it and turn both ways pretty aggressive and make sure it holds the tracks and go by track condition and undercarriage. Look to see how well everything was greased will also give u an idea how well it was taken care of
hillfarmer
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (10)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (11) Posted 6/10/2014 16:59 (#3911960 - in reply to #3911956)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (12)

16000 is only 8 years
NMO Redpower
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (15)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (16) Posted 6/10/2014 17:04 (#3911967 - in reply to #3911938)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (17)
MO

I bought a CX240 early this spring, it has 68XX hours on it. We had an electrical problem (bad relay that was a SOB to find) but other wise has been a good machine. Like what was said, buy on condition not just hours. A good friend has a 320 Cat with close to 10,000 hours that has been pretty well flawless. I bought mine 600 miles away sight unseen. I had a dealer that was close to the machine go do a third party inspection. Worth every penny. Those guys work on them everyday and would see things wrong way before I would. I would recommend that no matter how far away it is. Take a look at AuctionTime and IronPlanet to see what machines are really selling for, not just what dealers ask. (mine didn't come from a dealer)
ekeller2
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (20)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (21) Posted 6/10/2014 17:18 (#3911978 - in reply to #3911938)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

So. IL

I had one with over 11k hrs on it, and had very little issues. Just remember, everything on them cost a lot to fix or replace. I thought tractor parts were high, but they were cheep compared to dirt equipment.
Steiger Man
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (24)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (25) Posted 6/10/2014 17:34 (#3911999 - in reply to #3911938)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

Sunburst Montana

Last year we bought a JD 200LC with over 10,000 hrs. Works great so far. Been told on construction equipment, 10,000 hrs is nothing if the proper maintenance has been performed.

hobby95
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (28)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (29) Posted 6/10/2014 18:14 (#3912053 - in reply to #3911999)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

SW MINNESOTA

Local dirt guy that I'm pretty good friends with like to buy a new one when his old one reaches 10000. Keeps the old one for light work. He claims the main hydraulic pump could run another 5000 hours or maybe only 5. He says Pump cost 30000 more than machine is worth. Not sure how true that is but that's what he does I guess
Sam137
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (32)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (33) Posted 6/10/2014 18:22 (#3912064 - in reply to #3911938)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

Western, ky

Like said I'd go by conditions. I was riding with salesman through the lot and I just curiously asked how much that new machine cost. He laughed at me and said that one there has 20,000 hours on it.
EIHawkeye
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (36)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (37) Posted 6/10/2014 18:47 (#3912102 - in reply to #3912064)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?
We get over 6000hrs and that's when we dump ours due to fact of hyd pumps,swing motors and track drives......those are the pricey parts, I wouldn't worry bout motor. Also the bigger the machine gets the bigger the price cut for machines with 5000plus hrs.......dirt movers need production and reliability day after day
Sodbustr
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (40)
Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (41) Posted 6/10/2014 20:14 (#3912280 - in reply to #3911938)
Subject: RE: How many hours on a excavator is too many?

Western Iowa

I think the 'sweet spot' for value on an excavator is somewhere in the 2000-3000 hour area, and then the 6-8000 hour area. Over 10000 can still be a good machine, but could be close to a 15k engine or pump, plus most 10k on up machines I see the u/c is getting weak.

I have had cat, case, and komatsu. Seemed like komatsu had the most snot and are very reliable.

Final drives and turntables, and hydraulic responce are spots to check if you don't know excavators, besides the obvious stuff

Viewing a thread - How many hours on a excavator is too many? (2024)

FAQs

How many hours is too many on a excavator? ›

A high quality, well-maintained mini excavator (aka, compact excavator) has a maximum lifespan of about 10,000 hours. Heavy use and poor maintenance can quickly reduce that to about 8,000 hours.

How many times can you spin an excavator? ›

Can an excavator unscrew itself? Simply put, no, an excavator can't unscrew itself. While it's an online myth that an excavator will unscrew itself after 16 rotations to the left, this isn't true. An excavator can't unscrew itself from the body on which it is built, as they are not built on a screw.

How many hours does a Bobcat excavator last? ›

Compact excavators generally have a lifespan of around 10,000 hours. The undercarriage and tracks are the areas that will show signs of wear and/or mechanical issues.

How much can an excavator excavate in a day? ›

An excavator could be used to dig anywhere from 350 to 1,000 cubic yards per day, depending on a number of factors including bucket capacity, type of ground, operator skill and efficiency level, and more.

What is considered a lot of hours on heavy equipment? ›

A general rule of thumb is that 2,000 to 2,500 hours is well broken-in while anything above 35,000 hours is considered high.

How many hours do excavator tracks last? ›

Poor maintenance and heavy use can quickly reduce its life expectancy to about 8,000 hours. In this post, you'll learn the indicative signs that the track of your mini excavator is becoming worn, so you'll have a better idea when's the best time to schedule maintenance, undergo repair, and replace parts.

Is 6000 hours a lot for an excavator? ›

After about 6,000 hours, 20% of engines in 14-15-foot loaders required a major repair or replacement. Typically, by 8,500 hours, 50% of the components in a backhoe loader have reached their end and fail within 3,500 hours.

How much do you make running an excavator? ›

The average excavator operator salary ranges between $33,000 and $62,000 in the US. Hourly rates for excavator operators in the US typically range between $15 and $29 an hour.

Is 5000 hours a lot for a bobcat? ›

Some experts say the average lifespan of a skid steer is 5,000 hours. Keep in mind that how long your skid steer lasts depends on several different things, including: Whether you purchased the equipment in new or used condition. The type and difficulty of the work you are using the skid steer for.

How many hours is a Kubota mini excavator good for? ›

A well maintained Kubota tractor should last between 4500-5500 gauged hours. As many tractor owners report using their tractor for only 100-200 hours a year, this can translate into years of use. If you have the time and skill to optimally tend to and care for a Kubota tractor, you have a chance to exceed 10,000 hours.

Is 4000 hours a lot for a bobcat? ›

If a 2-year old skid steer has 1,500 hours on it, it hasn't been worked full-time. necessary. As a rule of thumb, an 80 hp machine won't require an engine overhaul until its passed 8,000 hours; a 40 hp machine, on the other hand, will likely require an overhaul after about 4,000 hours.

Is owning an excavator profitable? ›

August 11, 2022. An excavator is an extremely versatile piece of equipment that can double as a lucrative way to make money. These machines are excellent for digging and carrying applications.

Is excavating profitable? ›

Starting an excavation company can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success.

How much fuel does a excavator use per hour? ›

The average estimate for mini excavator fuel consumption is between around 1 and 5 gallons. For example, this 8 ton excavator from SAB consumes around 7 litres per hour, which is around 1.5 gallons.

How many years does an excavator last? ›

On average, an excavator can last between 7,000 and 10,000 hours, providing it has been looked after, not damaged and has had plenty of maintenance. This is just a ballpark, and of course the lifetime hours may differ from brand to brand.

How many hours working is a lot? ›

Work hours per week: Working too much is bad

"The more time we spend at work the less time we have for other important things in life." Research suggests that working excessively long hours — usually this means more than 45 a week — is detrimental to your health, physical and mental, in many ways.

What is the life expectancy of an excavator undercarriage? ›

All the components in a dozer undercarriage are designed to wear out together at roughly 4,000 hours, or half the service life of the engine. A midlife tune-up typically happens at 2,000 hours when the pins and bushings need to be turned.

Can you over tighten excavator tracks? ›

Adjusting Tension

Loose tracks can detrack. Over-tightening can cause power loss, excessive roller and idler wear, and could tear the tracks.

What to look for when buying a used excavator? ›

Tips For Buying A Used Excavator
  1. Check for play/movement in the swing radius. ...
  2. Reviewing exterior excavator condition. ...
  3. Inspect excavator hydraulics for leaks. ...
  4. Inaccurate/inoperational hour meter. ...
  5. Review bucket and attachments for wear and tear. ...
  6. Parts/maintenance. ...
  7. Tires. ...
  8. Price comparison.

How fast do excavators depreciate? ›

As an example, Dolezal cites the 20-year depreciation rate of a crawler excavator. In looking specifically at years 1-3, the typical crawler excavator depreciates 32 percent. "You'll see a lot of used sales at this point because machines are coming off of lease," Dolezal points out.

How many hours does a Komatsu excavator work? ›

The excavator has 451 kWh of battery capacity and is designed for up to eight hours of operating time.

How do you estimate the productivity of an excavator? ›

The following steps outline how to calculate the Excavator Productivity. First, determine the total volume of excavation (ft^3). Next, determine the total time (min). Next, gather the formula from above = EP = V / T * 60.

How do you calculate equipment hours? ›

The machine hour rate is calculated by aggregating the hourly rates of standing charges and running charges. The total of these rates is then divided by the total number of hours worked by the machine during the base period.

What is cycle time ratio? ›

Cycle time = Average time between completion of units. Example: Consider a manufacturing facility, which is producing 100 units of product per 40 hour week. The average throughput rate is 1 unit per 0.4 hours, which is one unit every 24 minutes. Therefore the cycle time is 24 minutes on average.

Where do excavator operators make the most money? ›

Highest paying cities for Excavator Operators near United States
  • Las Vegas, NV. $35.90 per hour. 9 salaries reported.
  • Denver, CO. $31.27 per hour. 60 salaries reported.
  • Salt Lake City, UT. $28.18 per hour. 15 salaries reported.
  • Shreveport, LA. $25.98 per hour. 6 salaries reported.
  • Ogden, UT. $24.28 per hour. ...
  • Show more nearby cities.

How much do excavator operators make in Canada? ›

The average excavator operator salary in Canada is $61,425 per year or $31.50 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $48,750 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $73,076 per year.

What heavy equipment makes the most money? ›

High Paying Heavy Equipment Jobs
  • Belly Dump Driver. Salary range: $110,000-$110,000 per year. ...
  • Tower Crane Operator. Salary range: $52,000-$91,000 per year. ...
  • Gantry Crane Operator. Salary range: $76,000-$76,000 per year. ...
  • Commercial Front Load Driver. ...
  • Backhoe Operator. ...
  • Rigging Supervisor. ...
  • Crane Operator. ...
  • Yard Manager.

Can I clear land with a skid steer? ›

With some models having over 100 horsepower, they can take on an impressive amount of the rugged work involved in land clearing. When outfitted with the appropriate attachments, skid steer loaders can help with: Brush cutting, mowing and mulching. Small tree cutting and stump removal and grinding.

Which skid steer is most reliable? ›

Caterpillar's name is synonymous with reliability and quality. The same is true of its skid steers. It offers nine different models that range in weight and horsepower. Caterpillar skid steers range from 1,500 to 3,700 pounds, with between 65 and 110 horsepower.

What is high hours for a skidsteer? ›

Value falls off over 3000 to 3500 hours. Machines under 2k hours sell best. Most track loaders are due for a rebuild at 3000 hours here.

Are mini excavators worth the money? ›

Mini excavators are undoubtedly valuable machinery, all thanks to their durable figure and impressive versatility in different applications. Although smaller, they offer the same convenience level as their counterparts.

What is the life expectancy of a Kubota diesel engine? ›

However, with proper maintenance, your Kubota diesel engine could last up to 10,000 hours.

How long does an excavator battery last? ›

How long does the electric excavator battery last from fully charged? Depending on the type of job (application and intensity of the work cycle), with a typical stop-start working pattern, you can operate the machine for up to 4 hours with one single charge.

What is the effective life of an excavator? ›

Similarly, to the previous assets, we can see how in a neighbouring industry of waste remediation and materials recovery there is a five-year effective life for an excavator.

How long should you let an excavator warm up? ›

Your machine's morning warm-up is about allowing it to warm up for at least 15 minutes before attempting to move it, then slowly start by cycling the boom and stick with no load on. The objective is to try to get some circulation going and warm up the hydraulics.

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