Rust on excavators might seem minor, but it can lead to costly damage and safety hazards. Let’s explore how to prevent and fix it the right way.
To deal with excavator rust effectively, start by identifying affected areas, then clean, sandblast, and repaint the surfaces. Use anti-corrosion coatings and store the machine in dry environments. Regular excavator maintenance is key to preventing future rust formation.
Rust isn’t just cosmetic—it affects performance. Here’s what you need to know.
What Causes Excavator Rust?
Excavators are always around chemicals, dust, and moisture, which are all things that make rust. Knowing what caused something helps you stop it from happening again.
Excavators get rusty because they are always in contact with rain, mud, and humidity. Corrosion happens faster when things aren’t cleaned and maintained, especially when the protective paint wears off.
Steel parts, like the boom, arm, and undercarriage, are especially weak. For instance, high humidity and salt can make rusting happen faster in tropical or coastal areas. Some brands, like CAT and Komatsu, are known for having better coating technologies that make things last longer against corrosion. But no brand is safe without the right care.
How Can You Prevent Rust on an Excavator?
It costs less to stop something from happening than to fix it. Rust can be put off or even completely avoided with the right steps.
To keep an excavator from rusting, paint it with anti-rust paint, wash it after each use, store it in a dry place, and check it often for scratches or bare metal.
Make sure to do regular maintenance on your excavator, like cleaning it after every muddy or wet job, lubricating the joints, and checking the undercarriage. You can also spray rust inhibitors or protectant on areas that are easy to damage. Make these things a part of your daily life, especially when it rains.
Is Rust a Big Problem When Buying a Used Excavator?
Yes and no. Rust on the surface isn’t always a dealbreaker, but rust on the structure is.
Used excavators often have a little bit of rust, but it’s easy to fix. But if structural parts like arms or frames get really rusty, they can last less time and be dangerous.
When looking at a used excavator for sale, always check the joints, bolts, bucket, and undercarriage. If you’re not sure, ask the seller if they have done any maintenance on the item before and if they have treated any rust. Before shipping, we check and fix all of our machines at Hiosen to make sure they are reliable and will work well for a long time.
Which Excavator Brands Are Better at Rust Resistance?
Brand choice matters when it comes to long-term durability in tough environments.
Brands like CAT, Komatsu, Volvo, and Hyundai use advanced paints and coatings that offer better rust resistance compared to lesser-known brands.
However, even high-end machines will rust without regular maintenance. For example, CAT excavators often feature powder coating and sealed electrical connectors. Volvo machines have durable frame structures. These features help, but preventive care is what truly protects your investment.
How Do We Handle Rust Before Selling Used Excavators?
We know that rust is a problem for our customers, so we check for it before shipping.
We do full inspections, sandblast off rust, repaint surfaces, and put on anti-corrosion coatings before sending any unit out of the country.
One of our African clients purchased a Komatsu PC200 unit with visible rust. After our detailed refurbishing—grinding, repainting, and sealing—all signs of corrosion were eliminated. A year later, the client reported no rust issues. Our rigorous excavator maintenance process ensures each machine arrives ready for work and protected from future corrosion.
Summary
Rust is preventable with the right care. Got a question? Leave a comment or contact us for expert advice.
