5 Things to inspect before you buy heavy machine on Black Friday 2025

Shopping for heavy equipment during Black Friday 2025 sounds like the perfect opportunity to save money, especially with the discounts many dealers and auction platforms offer. 

But every experienced contractor knows that buying a used heavy machine is a critical process. A small mistake in the inspection process can cost far more than any seasonal discount can compensate for.

This article walks you through the five most critical inspections you must perform before buying a heavy machine during Black Friday offers. 

Let’s break down what truly matters before committing to any Black Friday heavy equipment deal.

1. Inspect the engine condition and internal health

Before buying a machine on Black Friday 2025, your first priority should be understanding the real condition of the engine, not just how it sounds during idle.

What should you check in the engine?

1. Cold start behavior

A healthy diesel engine should start smoothly in cold conditions without long cranking. Excessive white smoke on cold start may indicate injector imbalance or low compression.

2. Blow-by levels

Check if the crankcase breather hose is releasing excessive vapor. Heavy blow-by often suggests worn piston rings or cylinder glazing.

3. Engine oil condition

Pull the dipstick. Look for:

• Foamy oil (could mean coolant contamination).

• Thick sludge (poor maintenance).

• Metal shavings (internal wear).

4. ECM diagnostic report

Many modern engines allow reading logged codes, faults, and hour history. A tool like Jaltest V9, used in Makana inspections, offers:

• Injector balance tests.

• Turbocharger boost readings.

• System pressure comparisons.

5. Cooling system health

Inspect hoses, radiator fins, coolant quality, and thermostat behavior. Overheating issues are common in used bulldozers and excavators.

Example: A Cat D8T dozer with 8,000 hours may look fine from the outside. But an ECM report could reveal irregular exhaust temperatures that point to turbo inefficiency. Such a repair can cost several thousand dollars.

2. Evaluate the hydraulic system performance

Hydraulics determine how efficiently a machine digs, lifts, steers, or compacts. A discount is meaningless if the hydraulic pump or cylinders need rebuilding shortly after purchase.

What hydraulic areas should be inspected?

1. Pump pressure and flow

Check pump efficiency using a flow meter. Low pressure under load may indicate internal leakage or pump wear. Excavators like a Volvo EC550EL depend heavily on stable pump pressure due to high-flow demands.

2. Cylinder drift

Lift the boom and shut off the engine. If the boom drops rapidly, the cylinder seals may be worn.

3. Hydraulic hoses and fittings

Look for:

• Cracks

• Bulges

• Loose fittings

• Leaks at joints

4. Valve block performance

Sticky or slow valves often signal contamination. Contaminated hydraulic oil is the number one cause of premature system wear.

5. Overall system temperature

Excessive heating under load often comes from pump inefficiency or clogged filters.

Real example: A Cat 323D3 excavator with worn-out hydraulic pumps can lose digging power by up to 30 percent. This reduces cycle efficiency and increases fuel consumption, raising operational costs.

By completing a full hydraulic inspection, especially during the rushed Black Friday period, you protect yourself from hidden repairs that outweigh any discount.

3. Check the undercarriage, tires, and ground-engaging components

Before reviewing the structure and frame, focus on what meets the ground. Ground-engaging components experience constant friction and carry most of the operational stress.

This section is essential because undercarriage and tire replacements are among the most expensive repairs in heavy equipment.

Excavator and bulldozer undercarriage inspection checklist

For tracked machines such as Komatsu PC400-8 or Cat D6R, inspect:

• Sprockets for hooking or cupping.

• Track links for stretch or wear.

• Track shoes for bent or cracked plates.

• Rollers and idlers for oil leaks or excessive wear.

• Track tension to see if it maintains proper slack.

A worn-out undercarriage can cost up to 50 percent of the value of a used bulldozer.

Skid steer and wheel loader tire inspection

For wheeled machines such as a Bobcat S510 or Cat 966L:

• Check tread depth and sidewall integrity.

• Look for uneven wear patterns that indicate steering or alignment issues.

• Confirm tire pressure stability.

• Inspect rims for cracks, bends, or weld repairs.

Bucket and blade inspection

• Inspect bucket cutting edges for sharpness and straightness.

• Look at blade moldboards for cracks.

• Check ripper shanks for excessive wear.

Real-world example: A well-priced Cat 966L wheel loader might look attractive on Black Friday. But if the tires are at 20 percent life, you may need to spend thousands on immediate replacements.

Next, let’s move from ground contact to the upper structure.

4. Inspect the structural integrity and frame

Moving forward from the undercarriage, the next area to inspect is the machine’s frame, welds, and major structural components. Structural failures affect safety, machine stability, and resale value.

What to inspect in machine structure?

1. Boom and stick cracks

• Pay close attention to welds around reinforcement plates.

• Look for hairline cracks near pivot points.

2. Chassis and frame twisting

• Run a straightedge or laser line along the frame to identify distortion.

• Wheel loaders and graders often show twisting from heavy side-loading.

3. Cab mounting points

• Loose mounts cause excessive vibration and operator fatigue.

4. Counterweight condition

• Ensure bolts are intact and the weight is original.

• Counterweight tampering affects lift chart accuracy.

5. Pins and bushings

• Check for excessive play.

• Use a dial gauge if available.

Next, you need to confirm that the machine’s documentation is legitimate and complete.

5. Verify documentation, hours, and maintenance records

After reviewing the physical machine, verify the paperwork. Black Friday deals often move quickly, so documentation checks are sometimes rushed. That can lead to legal issues or buying a machine with inaccurate hour readings.

What documents should you verify?

1. Ownership and transfer documents

• Confirm the seller has legal authority to sell.

• Check export requirements if shipping abroad.

2. Service history

• Look for:

• Oil sample reports

• Scheduled maintenance logs

• Hydraulic filter replacement intervals

• Parts replaced and at what hours

3. Inspection reports

• Detailed inspections, like the 75-point or 120-point reports used on platforms such as makana.com, help confirm machine health.

4. Operating hour validation

• Compare dashboard hours with:

• ECM internal logs

• Wear patterns on pedals, joysticks, and seat

• Recent parts replacement history

5. Serial number consistency

• Ensure the frame plate, engine plate, and documentation match.

Real example: If a Cat 303E mini excavator shows 2,300 hours but the ECM logs show long idle hours and inconsistent operation time, it may indicate tampering or a replaced hour meter.

What tools help you inspect heavy equipment more accurately?

• ECM reader (e.g., Jaltest V9)

• Hydraulic pressure gauge

• Infrared temperature gun

• Dial indicator for pin play

• Oil analysis kit

• Track wear gauge

Using proper inspection tools gives you accurate readings that visual checks alone cannot provide.

Is it better to buy a machine during Black Friday or wait?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Buying on Black Friday is ideal for informed buyers who follow a structured inspection plan.

Platforms such as makana.com make the process easier with detailed inspection reports, virtual tours, and transparent machine histories. Using these tools and following the inspection guide above will help you buy machinery that performs well long after the sale.

FAQs

1. How many hours are too many for a used excavator?

There is no universal limit, but excavators above 10,000 hours need detailed component health checks. Pumps, engines, and swing bearings may require rebuilding depending on prior maintenance.

2. Should I perform an oil analysis before buying a machine?

Oil analysis is one of the best ways to detect internal wear, coolant contamination, or high silicon levels that indicate dirt ingress. It is worth doing for any high-value machine.

3. Are virtual inspections enough for Black Friday deals?

Virtual tours are helpful, but for high-hour equipment, a physical inspection or third-party assessment provides a more complete evaluation.

4. Can Black Friday discounts hide major issues?

Discounts do not necessarily mean problems, but rushed sales may limit buyer inspection time. Always prioritize proper checks.

5. Do machines with high idle hours have shorter life?

Excessive idle time can reduce engine efficiency and increase carbon buildup. ECM reports help differentiate idle hours from working hours.