Questions we are asked
What buyers ask when they are weighing one brand against another.
Comparing brands
Which brand of excavator is cheapest?+
Chinese brands such as XCMG and Sany carry the lowest purchase price, but the gap on used excavators is narrower than people assume. A Japanese built Caterpillar 320D at USD 35,000 is competitive with anything, which is why we would point most buyers at it.
Are Chinese excavators any good?+
The modern ones are far better than their reputation from fifteen years ago, and they do serious work across Africa and Asia every day. They are simpler machines, which cuts both ways: less to go wrong, and less refinement in the cab.
Is a Caterpillar worth the extra money over a Chinese brand?+
On a used machine, often yes, because the price gap is small and the resale gap is large. On a new machine the answer changes, because the premium is much bigger.
Which brand holds its value best?+
Caterpillar and Komatsu, comfortably. They are recognised everywhere, parts are available everywhere, and buyers trust them, which is exactly what you need when you come to sell.
What is the difference between XCMG and SDLG?+
Both are large Chinese manufacturers and both build around the Weichai driveline, so running costs are similar. XCMG is stronger in rollers and cranes while SDLG has a particularly good reputation in wheel loaders.
Running cost and parts
Which brand is cheapest to run and maintain?+
The Chinese brands, because the Weichai engine is fitted to an enormous number of machines and consumables are made in volume. Filters and service parts cost a fraction of what a European equivalent does.
Are Caterpillar parts expensive?+
They cost more than the Chinese equivalents, but availability is the thing that saves you money. A machine waiting three weeks for a part earns nothing, and with Cat the part is usually already in your country.
Can I get parts for a Chinese excavator in Africa?+
Yes, and it has become far easier as these brands have taken market share. The Weichai driveline in particular shares components with a huge range of machines, so consumables are rarely a problem.
Which brands do you keep in stock most often?+
Caterpillar, Komatsu, Doosan and Hyundai on the excavator side, and XCMG and SDLG on rollers and loaders. Sinotruk Howo covers the trucks.
Making the choice
Which brand should I buy if I plan to sell the machine later?+
Caterpillar or Komatsu. You will pay a little more at the start and get a good deal of it back when you sell, which usually makes them cheaper over the whole period of ownership.
Which brand should I buy if I am keeping the machine for good?+
A Chinese brand is the sensible answer, because you are buying working hours rather than an asset to resell. The lower purchase price and the cheap consumables both count in your favour.
Do you recommend one brand over another?+
We recommend the one that fits your job and your plans, and we will say so plainly even when it is the cheaper machine. Selling somebody the wrong brand is how you lose a repeat customer.
Can you source a specific brand I want?+
Yes. Sourcing to order across all the major American, Japanese, Korean, European and Chinese brands is a normal part of what we do, so tell us the make and model you have in mind.
