Unearth Opportunities of Used Equipment

by Curt Bennink
Created: November 17, 2011

There are great deals on used motor graders and scrapers provided you understand potential pitfalls.

Break down a motor grader inspection into distinct categories so you don't get overwhelmed by the complexity.
Break down a motor grader inspection into distinct categories so you don't get overwhelmed by the complexity.
The market for motor scrapers has fallen dramatically. You need to take that into consideration if you ever plan to re-sell the unit.
The market for motor scrapers has fallen dramatically. You need to take that into consideration if you ever plan to re-sell the unit.
It's a good idea to bring a mechanic when evaluating large ticket items, such as motor scrapers.
It's a good idea to bring a mechanic when evaluating large ticket items, such as motor scrapers.
In the blade circle, there can be a dozen different ball joint couplers with some type of shims. Absence of these shims means you will need to replace the ball itself, which can be quite costly.
In the blade circle, there can be a dozen different ball joint couplers with some type of shims. Absence of these shims means you will need to replace the ball itself, which can be quite costly.

Check the torque tube in the front of the scraper for cracks and breaks in the weld. “I have seen more cracking and welding and plates in the neck than anywhere on a motor scraper,” says Hendrix, “so you really have to examine that area very carefully.”

Put the cutting edge in the ground, very carefully let the brakes off and engage the gears forward and backward. “Look at your horizontal and vertical pins and try to determine how much wear is there,” advises Hendrix. “Quite often those are caked with an inch of grease, so it’s hard to watch. You really need to bring someone out there who understands that neck and all the wear points in it. They need to help you determine relative wear. The bigger the scraper and the more money you are talking about, the more crucial that is.”

Finally, check the brakes. “On older units, contractors tend to let the brakes go when they fail,” says Hendrix. “You have a 20-yd. bowl that serves as a brake.”

Brake jobs are not inexpensive. “On older scrapers, more often than not, they do not have brakes,” says Hendrix. “I use that as the rule rather than the exception.”