Finally Bought That Excavator – A Real-Life Milestone

[MikePhua]

The Big Purchase
A landfill operator in rural Mississippi had been renting excavators for thousands annually. Determined to reduce costs, he dedicated himself to finding the right machine and finally bought a Komatsu PC50UU excavator in solid condition, with no leaks after twelve hours of use, tracks and undercarriage still tight, and oil samples clean.
Paying $8,500, this investment replaced more than $10,000/year in rental costs. He planned upgrades like painting the body in newer Komatsu yellows and blacks and adding a two-way remote hydraulic circuit to power an auger.
Improvements and Fabrication Plans
He already owns a burner table and has built front-end thumbs for gear in the past. He intends to build two types of thumbs: one that pins on under the bucket and another under the boom. The latter offers better reach, while the former is easier to remove—saving on fuel when loading trucks. The thumb will share the same pin as the bucket and use a rabbit valve to control its hydraulic function.
Technical Terms Glossary

• Grey-market machine: Imported outside official dealer networks—often reliable but lacking factory warranty or support.
  
• Oil analysis: A lab test to assess engine fluid condition; absence of metal debris or sludge suggests low wear.
  
• Final drive: The gearing in the undercarriage that powers the tracks; intact blades and no play usually indicate healthy travel motors.
  
• Two-way remote hydraulic circuit: An auxiliary hydraulic line that allows bi-directional fluid flow—used for tools like remote-operated augers or thumbs.
  
• Burner table: A fabrication platform used to cut metal shapes for custom attachments like thumbs and rakes.
  

Stories from the Field
A Canadian operator shared how he fashioned his own thumb for a Ford tractor loader at age 17—pin-on design with bar-stock construction. It was indispensable for clearing debris and tearing down barns. Another experienced contractor in Nova Scotia echoed the usefulness of homemade attachments and praised the Komatsu diesel’s compatibility—he even cross-referenced filters from a Ford tractor when aftermarket parts were scarce.
Why This Story Matters
This isn’t just a purchase—it’s a transition to ownership, capability, and self-reliance. The operator now controls his machinery, schedules maintenance on his terms, and customizes the machine to meet specific needs. It’s a classic heavy-equipment tale: a modest investment, hands-on work, and smart adaptation paying off.
Best Practices from the Example

• Perform oil analysis before purchase to assess internal wear
  
• Inspect undercarriage and final drives for tightness and absence of leaks
  
• Use fabrication tools like a burner table to build job-specific attachments
  
• Plan hydraulic circuits for future accessories like augers or thumbs
  
• Pin-on thumbs vs boom-mounted thumbs: select based on ease of removal vs operational flexibility
  

Conclusion
This story illustrates the reward of patience and planning—a quality machine, thoughtful modifications, and a bit of DIY ingenuity transforming a used grey-market excavator into a reliable tool. As one operator commented: long before machines get flashy electronics, they need practicality and versatility to earn their keep.