Before inspection
Confirm identity, conditions and scope. Competent personnel should operate the machine; untrained buyers should not perform lifting or machine-support tests.
Static checks
Record cracks, unusual welds, leaks, hose condition, pin wear and undercarriage wear. Paint may hide clues; review repair records and investigate further.
Operational checks
Observe start-up, instruments, working motions, swing and travel under manufacturer instructions and safe procedures. Record temperature, load and anomalies; smoke colour alone is not a diagnosis.
Create a reviewable report
Record date, identity, photos, videos, defects and exclusions. Distinguish further diagnosis, required repairs and acceptable wear.
This is a general purchasing and evidence checklist. Confirm actual condition, transaction terms and import/export requirements for the case.
Repairs and breaker history
Ask for the scope and records of engine, pump and main-valve repairs, and any prolonged breaker work. Inspect boom, arm and frame cracks, welds and deformation; pin play, cylinder-rod damage, hoses and undercarriage wear. Breaker history is a risk factor to assess alongside maintenance and inspection evidence.
Cold-start and operating records
A trained operator should follow manufacturer procedures and record the cold start, alerts, exhaust, operating temperature, swing, travel and safe combined motions. Smoke colour alone does not diagnose a fault. Leave hydraulic testing to qualified personnel; do not use unsafe machine-lifting tests as a buyer checklist.
Fluid analysis and further diagnosis
For a high-value machine or unresolved inspection concerns, commission properly collected samples from the relevant systems to assess wear, contamination and fluid condition. Record sampling location, oil-change history and hours. Interpret results with trends, diagnostics and physical inspection; one sample cannot prove that a machine has never been rebuilt.