Disclaimer: this article was originally published by Tiejia construction machinery network.
Sources: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ITfs_zHBWVn2QUbb6Fd9ng
When we mention having piercing eyes, the first thing that we probably think of is Sun Wukong. But then why couldn’t Sun Wukong, with his piercing eyes, recognize an impostor who was imitating him, resulting in the need for Buddha Tathagata to intervene? The reason is, in fact, very simple – it was due to carelessness and a one-sided view. He identified others solely based on certain characteristics of Sun Wukong. Little did he know, the impostor emulated Sun Wukong to perfection. Only Buddha Tathagata, with all-encompassing insights and comprehensive observations, could identify the real Sun Wukong.
Perhaps some would say I digress. However, this isn’t the case. For those of us in the machinery business, this story might be the sincerest form of education. With the second-hand machinery market heating up in recent years throughout China and with the surge of nationwide purchases, particularly in this era of advanced network information, a few pictures and words could virtually make a piece of machinery traverse half of China. In this highly heated market, fake machinery is rampant, often passing off as functioning during trials but then showing endless problems in actual use. Some unscrupulous dealers might even patch up completely inoperable machinery and sell it off. The variety of deceptive practices is unending, and plantations and imitation manufacturers from certain mountains and waters are incredibly inventive, making prevention extremely difficult. Today, I humbly offer my insights to discuss the makeup tactics of second-hand machinery and how to identify them. I hope for constructive engagement and no flames, please.
First, the most straightforward and direct makeup tactic for second-hand machines is painting. Some dealers paint the whole machine and then simulate aging with sun exposure, rain, and specialized aging liquids, causing the paint to closely resemble the factory original. They then deliberately spray mud and create minor damages to simulate a reasonable working condition for construction machinery. However, careful and patient observation of the vehicle’s edges, seams, and paint and light differences can relatively easily identify a paint job. If you’re inspecting from out of town and discover extensive repainting, it’s probably best to give up on that one!
Secondly, a beginner’s method of deception is tampering with the hour meter. Rolling back the hours on an earthmover can increase its sale price by tens of thousands or even more, especially for mining machinery which has a short lifespan but operates around the clock with minimal exterior damage. Reversing the hour meter can indeed cause harm. Spotting this deception is relatively simple. Carefully check the wear on the bucket and pins, as well as the wear on the handles and armrests inside the cabin, along with the condition of seat movement. Generally, for machinery under ten thousand hours, interior wear should not be significant.
The third point is slightly more advanced forgery, involving the replacement or repair of the three major components – we’ve seen road rollers bought from certain seas that had wooden blocks replacing gears. Replacements in excavators typically involve one of the three major parts:
Firstly, the engine. If an engine has undergone major repairs, it will have sealant traces, so unless the original owner had it previously repaired, second-hand machinery operators absolutely would not fix it. Facing issues like excessive exhaust or black smoke, second-hand dealers often add laundry detergent to the engine oil or even directly put gear oil. The combination of burning engine oil and laundry detergent has noticeably good immediate effects but will certainly reveal issues over time. If the engine breathes too heavily, it’s likely due to gear oil. Though the trial run may seem great, engine failure is inevitable after an oil change.
Then there are the hydraulic pump and the distributor. Second-hand machinery operators often adjust the hydraulic pump to a relatively high pressure for short-term trial runs, making the vehicle move faster and stronger. However, this will frequently cause the pipelines to burst during actual operation. It’s essential to inspect the machines slowly and thoroughly. Check whether the hydraulic pump’s pressure screw is tightened to the max and look for any signs of paint or replacements on the hydraulic pump and distributor. This is also very important.
The fourth point is about the welding and straightening of the machine’s frame or boom, which is particularly deceptive. This usually indicates an accident-involved machine. If you have difficulty closing the doors, if the windows don’t seal properly, or if all the glass has been replaced, it’s better to walk away – it’s most likely an accident-recovery machine. Also, be cautious if you notice small areas with evidence of hammering. The most difficult to spot is a refurbished broken boom. Since the repaired boom will usually be smoothed, plastered, and repainted – and often covered with mud or made to look aged by second-hand machinery operators – it’s typically very hard to detect. So be wary of machines that are either too clean or too dirty.
The fifth point, also very common, is tampering with vehicle nameplates. A nameplate is akin to personal identification, recording the vehicle’s production date, model, sales location, and maintenance records. When buying used machinery, it’s best to ensure the nameplate is accurate and take note of the sales region. If the machine you’re buying has been passed around half of China, consider carefully.
The sixth point refers to renovations. Refurbishment in excavators usually involves the interior fittings such as seats and handles. Machines with oil leaks often undergo thorough cleanings. General cleaning on second-hand machinery is acceptable. However, some professionals will disassemble and clean suspicious leaking parts, spraying them with glue to prevent leaks during trials. After cleaning, they might also spray loess on the surfaces to imitate a natural wear appearance – without close attention, it’s nearly impossible to detect.
Finally, there is the forging of the tracks. Ethical dealers might replace them with domestically branded tracks or those from other dismantled machines. Dealing with such sellers is still reasonable. However, some unscrupulous second-hand machine operators may weld or add new edges to the track plates and then use sulfuric acid or electrolytic solutions to create rust, followed by running them through mud. Such meticulous deceptions are difficult to guard against.
Overall, the second-hand machinery market, especially the popular ones online, is indeed very deep waters. It amazes us how many ingenious minds our great country has. Today’s discussion may seem a bit presumptuous, and I hope that my fellow peers can share more detailed and accurate methods of distinguishing authentic machinery. Let’s make the world a little less deceitful for those of us working with machinery.
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