What is a Refurbished Excavator

Refurbished Excavators refer to used excavators that undergo systematic inspection and repair to restore them to a condition close to new. Refurbished excavators typically go through full disassembly, cleaning, component replacement, painting, and functional testing to ensure high standards in performance, appearance, and reliability.

Typically, used excavators exported from China are refurbished machines. They can vary in quality for various reasons, and there's also the potential for fraud. My job is to help you avoid these problems before purchasing and to supervise the shipping process to ensure you receive the product you actually bought.

Refurbished vs. Used(Original)

Comparison Used Excavator Refurbished Excavator
Price Essentially the same.
Faults Remains Repaired
Appearance Remains Renewed
Warranty No Yes
After-Sales No Yes

My Services

Generally, the inspection process will be recorded as a 4K video, capturing the excavator's working condition and details, along with video commentary. You can also watch a live stream via WhatsApp.

$200 per day (not per unit), no extra charge for Shanghai. Other cities: $0.2/kilometer(round trip), accommodation $30/day. PayPal, Alipay, WeChat, Bank

  1. Company legitimacy verification.
  2. Machine performance inspection.
  3. Loading and shipping supervision.

Documents

  • Company business license
  • Company dispute history records
  • Machine performance demonstration video and detailed photos
  • Parts replacement list
  • Shipping invoice and shipping process video
  • Other documents you requested

Unverifiable information:

  1. Actual operating hours. It is common practice in China for the operating hours of used equipment to be altered. Sales companies will modify the excavator's operating hours based on the specific negotiation situation, and it is technically impossible to determine the true hours. We can only estimate the hours by comparing them to the original invoice date.
  2. The true owner of the excavator. Chinese companies often share resources, selling excavators that belong to others as their own. Each salesperson can claim ownership of the excavator to the customer and legally sell it. They then share the profits with the true owner. We can only verify the legal identity of the sales company.

Workflow

  1. Confirm the excavator information with the sales representative, including equipment model, serial number/vehicle identification number, engine serial number, company name, address, etc.
  2. Confirm the list of replacement parts for the excavator with the sales representative (you can provide her with the example chart below for him to fill out).
  3. Calculate the inspection fee and complete the payment. Schedule an inspection time.
  4. Arrive at the designated location at the agreed time to inspect the machine, comparing it against the parts replacement list to check for any discrepancies. Take videos and photos, and organize the information into a clear and easy-to-understand format.

Example:

The documents that the salesperson should provide you with.

  1. Verifiable PIN/VIN/Engine Number
  2. Valid historical documents for EPA / ECCC / Euro / CE review
  3. Equipment manual(for Canada)
  4. Refurbishing Record / Parts replacement record

Invoice Sample

EPA

EPA Used-Excavator Import Notice

  1. During the import process, CBP reviews equipment documents according to EPA regulations. Common reasons for rejection include incomplete documentation, serial number issues, inability to verify the engine is used, or unclear manufacturing dates.

  2. The selling company can usually only provide historical records of the used equipment, which may vary in completeness. These documents are provided as reference for customs to confirm whether the engine is used, the manufacturing date is accurate, and whether it qualifies for an EPA used-engine exemption.

  3. Whether an engine qualifies for an exemption depends mainly on its manufacturing date and emission tier (Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4). You can quickly estimate the approximate tier by the engine’s build year:

    • 1996–2000 → Tier 1

    • 2001–2006 → Tier 2

    • 2006–2011 → Tier 3

    • 2011–2014 → Tier 4 Interim (Tier 4i)

    • 2014 and later → Tier 4 Final

  4. The emission standard is determined by the engine’s manufacturing date, not the machine’s production year. For example, a machine built in 2010 fitted with a Tier 2 engine made in 2007 is legally Tier 2, not Tier 3.

  5. Once complete historical documentation is provided by the selling company, the customs clearance process should be handled by a customs broker assisting the consignee. Each party should operate within its professional scope.

The following are some of the documents we can provide:

  • Original invoice

  • Certificate of Conformity

  • Engine emission statement

Youtube Videos

FAQ

Q: Should I buy a used excavator or a refurbished one?
A: If you have the ability to repair and maintain excavators on your own, there’s no doubt that a used excavator is the better choice. You can handle the repairs and adjustments yourself. However, if labor and parts costs in your area are high, a refurbished excavator is the better option. In China, labor and parts costs are much lower. A refurbished machine will give you an experience almost equivalent to a new one.

Q: Why do refurbished excavators typically show around 500 hours of usage?
A: This is a common practice and the current reality in China's used heavy equipment industry, and we are powerless to change it. To distinguish them from new excavators, those with operating hours between 1000 and 4000 hours are set to 500 hours after refurbishment. Excavators with over 5000 hours are not worth refurbishing due to performance decline. Refurbished machines come with warranties, starting from the 500-hour mark, similar to a new machine.

Q: The salesperson told me this is a "stock machine." Is that true?
A: This is a sales pitch commonly used in China, but it’s highly unlikely that there are "stock machines" in the true sense. Even an old machine could never be sold at the price of a refurbished one.

Q: I need to use the excavator in a harsh environment. Can you recommend a suitable one for me?
A: The key issue isn't with the excavator itself—designers and sellers alike hope it will operate reliably. However, any excavator will encounter problems quickly in harsh environments. Therefore, the real key is having skilled technicians and experienced operators. Typically, construction companies employ repair technicians who regularly check the excavator for faults.

Q: Should I pay a deposit online?
A: If it’s for a long-term cooperation, this can be feasible. However, if it’s your first purchase, paying a deposit online is a high-risk move. Many Chinese companies use deposits as a major income source. Once the deposit is received, they gain the upper hand.

Q: Can I use the excavator directly after it arrives?
A: It depends on the size of the excavator. If your excavator doesn’t fit directly into the container, unfortunately, we’ll have to disassemble it and pack it into the container. You will need to reassemble it on your end.

Q: How is your spoken English?
A: We typically use a translator for communication, as very few people in this industry are fluent in English. If you have a WeChat account, its built-in translator is quite convenient for use.

Q: Which parts are replaced during a refurbishment? Are these original parts?
A: Rubber pipes and consumable parts. The main parts are usually cleaned rather than replaced. The parts that will not be replaced include the excavator body, engine, hydraulic pump, hydraulic distributor, and main control circuit system.

Q: All refurbishing work done in brand service centre or repair by yourself?
A: The repair center only services machines that are under warranty. The warranty period in China is 1000 hours.

Q: In refurbishing you change all parts was new and original from brand?
A: They are brand new. Usually, only the easily worn-out parts are replaced. They all come from reputable manufacturers, and their quality is comparable to the original parts.

About Me

My name is Mike Phua, I previously worked primarily in excavator sales, but I have now left that sales position and am working in excavator inspection. I have been in this industry for 3 years.

I am a third-party individual, not affiliated with any company. And I live in Pudong, Shanghai.

I am originally from Shanghai and was born in 1981. I graduated with a Master's degree in Management from the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology. I would be happy to be your friend in China and assist you with any challenges that distance may pose.

Whenever you need me, I will be at your service. I believe my name will become well-known in this industry, and you'll hear more and more people mentioning Mike Phua in the future.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Contacts