How to Choose Used Wheel Loader?

Buying a used wheel loader is a big decision. You don't want to invest in a wheel loader that doesn't suit your needs or isn't reliable. As you look at tips for buying a used wheel loader, you should make sure you know the areas of the machine you need to inspect and the steps you need to take to verify a wheel loader's reliability and performance.

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Check out our used wheel loader buying guide to learn more about the benefits of investing in a used wheel loader and how you can do so properly with a comprehensive inspection.

Buying used equipment is a consideration many construction companies make when they're looking to grow their fleet and give themselves with the opportunity to take more jobs. You can enjoy many advantages from buying used, and used equipment makes an excellent choice for many companies. Below, you can find some of the top benefits of buying a used wheel loader:

1. Cost-Effective

Buying used equipment is a great choice for companies interested in machines at a lower price point. One of the top advantages is that used equipment comes with lower initial investment costs. Despite the equipment being previously used, you can still get several years of profitability out of it. Reputable dealers will ensure any piece of used equipment they sell has been well-maintained, so you get your full money's worth.

2. Better Resale Value

When you buy older equipment, you won't see high depreciation costs. The longer a piece of equipment has been on the market, the more its costs will settle. With its value staying steady, used equipment typically experiences slower depreciation. Buying used means you don't have to bear the brunt of a piece of equipment's initial depreciation. Since you won't have as much depreciation, you can often get a better resale price in proportion to what you initially paid.

3. More Operator Friendly

Since a used piece of equipment is usually on the market for some time and standard across the industry, your staff may already be familiar with it. The widespread use makes it more likely your staff members will already have experience operating the equipment. This saves your company time on training and gets your equipment rolled out to work sites sooner.

4. Reliable Warranties

Many dealers offer warranties for the used wheel loaders they sell. These warranties can give buyers who want to ensure they're getting high-quality used equipment some peace of mind. You may be offered multiple warranty options and packages, meaning you can find one ideal for your needs.

5. Lower Insurance Costs

Used equipment generally comes with lower insurance costs since most insurance companies base their pricing and premiums on how much it costs to replace the equipment. When you buy used, the equipment's replacement costs are going to be lower, which means your insurance costs will be lower as well. This can save your company money in the long term and keep your monthly costs lower, freeing up capital for other ventures.

As you look to purchase a wheel loader, you need to inspect it first. A dealer should be able to provide you with relevant documents for the service history of the wheel loader and tell you how the machine was used in the past. Additionally, you should conduct an inspection of the major parts of a wheel loader and take it out on a test drive.

Check out the top four used wheel loader inspection tips:

1. Review the Maintenance and Service History

One of the first things to check before buying a used wheel loader is the maintenance and service history. A good dealer will have information on when the machinery was last serviced and the type of maintenance performed on it. You should check to ensure the previous owners stuck to the recommended maintenance intervals since keeping up with them can greatly extend the life of a wheel loader.

If a wheel loader has a track record of preventative maintenance and inspections, you can be more confident in its reliability.

2. Check Major Areas for a Proper Inspection

You want to be sure the piece of equipment you buy is worth the money. Any reputable dealer will allow you to conduct an independent inspection on the wheel loader. As you conduct the inspection, you can review the major areas of the wheel loader for damage, including:

• Bucket: Look at the front of the bucket to determine if all the teeth are attached securely. Next, check for any damage to the side panels and the leading edge. If your wheel loader is hooked up via a coupling system, see if there are any damaged bushings or loose pins. Finally, inspect the lift arms and lift arm cylinders for damage.
• Cab: Your operators are going to be spending a lot of time in a cab, so you need to inspect it. Ensure the foot pedals, joysticks, seat and any other controls or pieces of technology are in good condition. Note the reading of the hour meter. Start the wheel loader, and check that the gauges are working.
• Frame: Some wheel loaders will come with a Roll Over Protection Structure. If the machine you're looking at has one, you should inspect it to see if there's any damage that could potentially put your operator in danger if your wheel loader rolled over. If you have a Falling Object Protective Structure, inspect the slide screens to make sure they're secured to the frame and undamaged.
• Hydraulic system: One of the main things to look for when buying a used wheel loader is the hydraulic system. Look for damaged cylinders and hoses, and check that the hose couplings don't have any scratches or breaks. As you look at cylinders, check for dents, scratches or leaks that could result in contaminants entering the system or fluid leaking out.
• Engine: Inspect the engine, searching for any loose belts or leaks. Additionally, look at the air filter to see its last service date.
• Center articulation point: The center articulation point is located at the midpoint of the underside of the cab. Check this area for damage and wear. If the articulation point has been significantly damaged, you may notice the top and bottom pins making an up and down movement during operation.
• Tires, wheels and rims: Inspect the rims' metal for structural damage, such as cracks, rust or dents. You can also check the tire tread for any basic damage or wear.

3. Find Out How It Was Used

Knowing how a wheel loader was previously used can help you better predict how long the machine will hold up. Ask the dealer about who previously owned the machine and if it was utilized for handling exceptionally heavy or rough materials. Find out if the wheel loader was used during the week or also on the weekends to determine how often the previous owner had the machine running. The machine's history will give you an indication of how reliable it will be.

4. Take the Wheel Loader on a Test Drive

Always take a wheel loader on a test drive before you make a purchase. On this drive, you can get a sense for how it handles and verify everything works properly.

On this test drive, you can check to see if you can shift through all the gears without any issue. You can also see the low and high engine RPMs, as well as check to see if there are any irregularities in significant areas like the bucket link or center articulation joints. Issues like these could indicate you may be stuck with repairs shortly, so a test drive is a must.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Used Bulldozer For Sale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

A guide to buying used wheel loaders

Known for their mobility and speed, wheel loaders are extremely versatile machines, capable of efficiently moving sand, rocks, dirt, and other materials. The first wheel loader was introduced in . Since then, the loader market has expanded, with significant market growth expected in the next few years. Are you looking to buy a used wheel loader soon? Check out these facts and tips we gathered for you.

One of the largest equipment categories

When we look at global heavy machinery sales, wheel loaders represented 16% of the total volume in . The broader ‘loader’ category – which also includes skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders, and compact track loaders – accounted even for 35% of global equipment sales, according to data by research and forecasting company Off-highway Research. A significant ‘slice of the pie,’ largely because of the versatility of these machines.

Besides their great popularity in construction, wheel loaders are reliable workhorses in many other industries, including mining, demolition, landscaping, and agriculture. Did you know that in the European market alone, 10-15% of compact equipment sales – notably small loaders, mini excavators, and telehandlers – come from agriculture?

The used wheel loader market in Europe is massive. When looking at auction inventories, listing websites, and other marketplaces, you will easily find various makes and models. Here are a few facts about wheel loader sales at our European auctions in (January – November):

• More than 800 wheel loaders were sold
• The median price of wheel loaders sold in our auctions was EUR 19,500.
• The Netherlands is the top buyer country of wheel loaders (both at our auctions and our ad listing website Mascus)
• Caterpillar, Volvo, and Komatsu were the three most frequently sold wheel loader manufacturers.

What’s your favorite wheel loader brand? See what’s for sale right now:

How do I know what is a good price?

When you are preparing to buy a used wheel loader, you’ll need a budget to work with. Many websites offer historic selling prices of wheel loaders, so you have an idea of the price levels for the item you are looking for. With a free Ritchie Bros. account, you can access hundreds of thousands of sold items and filter them by make, model, manufacturing year and more.

Where can I buy a used wheel loader?

When you are looking to buy a used wheel loader, there are different places for different needs. At Ritchie Bros. you can find the following:

• Auctions: Ritchie Bros. sells a range of unused and used wheel loaders at unreserved timed auctions. Simply find the wheel loader of your dreams in the inventory, create a free account, register for the auction, and get ready to bid.
• Online marketplace: On Marketplace-E, Ritchie Bros.’ 24/7 online marketplace for heavy equipment and trucks, you can choose between two easy buying formats: ‘Make Offer’ and ‘Buy Now.’
• Listing website: Have you checked out Mascus already? Spot your favorite wheel loader among thousands of ad listings, and get in touch with the seller. As simple as that. Over 100,000 buyers look for equipment on Mascus daily.

How can I make sure I’m buying a good used wheel loader?

If wheel loaders are listed online for sale, they usually have several photos and descriptions. At Ritchie Bros. we go steps further: every item has a lot of photos, videos and detailed descriptions. This helps buyer get a good impression of the machine. A personal inspection of the wheel loader before buying gives even more confidence. Before starting to inspect a wheel loader, the essential thing to consider is:

• The conditions the machine will work in (e.g., loading screening material, digging out of a hard bank, etc.)
• The materials that the machine will carry (e.g., abrasive material, such as rock, or a topsoil material, which is less abusive to the machine?)

When inspecting a used loader, consider starting with the following:

1. A quick visual inspection

Inspection should always start with a short walk around the wheel loader. The overall appearance always says a lot about how the machine was previously used.

• Starting at the front of the machine: Look at the attachments, bucket, front tire, articulating joint, rear tires, engine, rear attachments, etc.
• As you move around, check for any signs of abuse, such as dents, welds, cracks, rust, broken glass, or fish plate welding that could indicate past repairs or structural issues.
• Arriving at the back, pay specific attention to the radiator grill and air intake for damage.

2. Underneath the machine

Examine the machine’s undercarriage (transmission drive shaft and axles) for leaks or other damage. If possible, try out the loader to ensure the transmission shifts smoothly without delay, vibrations or unusual noises.

3. The tires

Inspect all four tires separately and look for sidewall damage or rock cuts. Note if there are any retreads. Also, note if there are specialty tires and pay attention to whether all the tires are of the same brand or model.

4. Bucket and attachments

• Bucket: Examine the cutting edge of the teeth and the overall condition of the bucket for any bends, cracks, or excessive wear.
• Bucket linkage and loader arms: Look closely for any signs of welding on fish plates. Then, look at all pin areas at the front (the boom tilt cylinder, tilt rod end, and boom cylinder), paying specific attention to the grease points. To ensure the loader has been greased recently, wipe your hands down the cylinder chrome to see if it is wet or dry. Finally, don’t forget to check for corrosion in this area.

5. Steering linkage and center pivot

The steering linkage is highly susceptible to cracks. Start with checking the articulating joint for cracks, welds, any obvious play or leaks in the steering cylinders, or any leaks at the back of the transmission.

6. Inside the cab

Is it a ROPS (roll-over protective structures) unit? Ensure there is no structural damage. Is it a cab unit? Check the condition of the door, windows, and sheet metal around the cab for structural damage or rust.

Ensure that the seat is not ripped and that it moves easily. Also, confirm that all switches, gears, and controls work well. Work all buttons, levers, lights and flashers, heat and air conditioners. Finally, check for additional systems such as:

• Ride control
• Load measuring system
• Rearview camera

Final tip: Remember to take a photo of the hour meter and vin plate.