One important aspect of an excavator purchase is independent of the machine itself: choosing a dealership that will stand behind your excavator and make sure you get the most out of your investment.

Specifically, make sure the dealer you choose can provide excellent service and maintenance. The more responsive and competent the service department is, the fewer breakdowns you'll have and the less downtime you'll experience when you do have a problem.

Here are some questions to ask to make sure you get a good sense of the dealer's expertise:

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you have a significant amount of parts inventory for this excavator?

• How many technicians do you have? What is their training and experience like?
• Do you do on-site service if my excavator needs repairs?
• Will you handle scheduled maintenance if I need it?
• Do you have guaranteed response times?

Definitely visit the dealer's facility – don't be content ordering over the phone or on the Web. Simply seeing the parts warehouse and service areas can give you a good sense of the dealer's capabilities.

If you're new to buying excavators, take every advantage of demo opportunities. Having an excavator delivered to your site for a demo will give you the best sense of how it handles and if it's suitable for your applications. Buyers who have more experience with different brands may not need a full demo, but they should still take the time to try out new models.

Get the scoop
Word of mouth is an important measure of the overall quality of a construction equipment dealer, so talking to other businesses in your area can be very useful. Talk to your contacts and get their opinions on the dealers you're evaluating.

You can also ask the dealer for customer references, preferably customers with applications similar to yours. When checking references, you can ask questions such as:

• How long have you been a customer of theirs? How many machines have you purchased from them?
• Did you get the right machines for your applications?
• Has the dealer done a good job with maintenance and repairs?
• Would you buy from this dealer again?
• What could the dealer improve about the operation?

Lastly, trust your instincts. A pushy dealer who seems more interested in selling you the "deal of the day" than in understanding your needs and providing the best solution for you is one you should avoid. Helpful and knowledgeable salespeople are a good indicator of a dealership that will be a worthwhile partner in the long run.