If you need replacement parts for a backhoe, then a salvage yard is your best place for cheap parts. Replacing parts on heavy equipment is often really expensive and can be hard to locate parts for older equipment. The best place to get parts is a backhoe junkyard where you can pick parts off junked diggers and then repurpose the parts in your machine. In this article, I’ll share my experience with the backhoe junkyards yards near me and help you find cheap parts for your equipment.
Map of Backhoe Junkyards Near Me
For “Backhoe Salvage Yards Near Me” or “Backhoe Junkyards Near Me”, see the map below…
How the Backhoe Junkyards Near Me Operate
Backhoe junkyards are run like any other local business. The only difference is that they deal in junked heavy construction equipment and need to adhere to strict environmental laws.
These yards buy junked backhoes and other construction machinery and then sell off the functioning parts. Their objective is to get a junked piece of equipment for cheap and sell all the parts for a profit. These yards operate as part of the recycling industry and they actually benefit the environment. Each yard operates bit differently, some sell salvage parts online, while others have a pick and pull self service yard open to the public. The backhoe junkyards near me dismantle all the machinery and then sell parts online and out of a warehouse.
Sometimes they may get a digger that still works. In that case, they make enough repairs to get a salvage title and either sell it or auction it.
Construction equipment salvages get their inventory from different channels. This includes construction companies, insurance companies, private owners, farms, landscapers, and sometimes auctions. The reasons for junking vary from outdated models to vehicles reaching their end of life, and then of course accidents and broken parts. Oftentimes times even the worst accidents can still leave parts to salvage from machinery.
Backhoe Junkyard Layouts
In my experience, there isn’t much organization at these yards. Many have the machinery lined up in rows, but then makes, models, and years are intertwined. You are not really going to find a Cat, Volvo, Hyundai, JCB, or Case section although you may find one or two grouped together.
If the salvage yard carries more than backhoes you may get some organization by the type of work the vehicle performs. For example, you might find a skid steer section, an excavator section, a bulldozer section, etc…
There are a few junkyards that are organized by size:
- Standard Diggers weighing between 22,046 and 200,000-plus pounds.
- Medi Diggers weigh between 13,227 and 22,046 pounds.
- Mini Diggers weighing less than 13,227 pounds.
Aside from the diggers, you can also find sections of accessories.
You may also find parts sections. This includes parts like tracks, wheels, buckets, booms, hydraulic systems, fuel tanks, sticks, counter weights, the house including the cab, and separated engine parts. Some may even have attachment sections for breakers, augers, grapples, and hydraulic hammers.
The best backhoe junkyards will have an online machinery and parts inventory. If they do you can search the database and look for what you need without making the trip there. That is the ideal situation. Not all yards are that organized. My advice is to always just call ahead and ask for the year, make, and model of your machine and the part you want.
Benefits of Backhoe Junkyards
Heavy equipment salvage yards, commonly referred to as backhoe junkyards, offer a myriad of benefits to both businesses and individuals involved in heavy machinery industries. These salvage yards serve as a vital network for those in need of cost-effective solutions for their heavy equipment needs. One of the primary advantages is the availability of a wide range of equipment, including backhoes, wheel loaders, and more, at significantly reduced prices.
Whether you’re a construction company looking to replace a worn-out wheel loader or an independent contractor seeking spare parts, these salvage yards provide a treasure trove of affordable options. Moreover, they contribute to sustainable practices by recycling and reusing components, minimizing waste and environmental impact. In essence, heavy equipment salvage yards offer a win-win situation by facilitating cost savings and environmentally responsible practices within the heavy equipment industry.
How Does a Backhoe Junkyard Manage Its Inventory
When a junked digger comes to a salvo, it must be processed before parts can be pulled. There are environmental laws that dictate how the junkyard must handle certain hazardous materials to protect the local ecosystem. This is to account for hazardous materials like mercury which can be found in older backhoes. There are additional rules for handling diesel fuel, gas, and oil.
Some junk yards will then pre-strip parts and sell them online or from a warehouse. Common parts that get stripped first are batteries, engines, transmissions, attachments, alternators, and starters.
After pre-stripping parts, the machinery will go out of the yard for pick and pull. Some might even sell the salvage backhoe online. If the backhoe goes out for pick and pull it will be there for the public to pick parts and pay for what they need. Once all of the valuable parts have been stripped, the salvage yard will sell the remains of the vehicle for scrap metal.
Used Digger Parts at Salvage Yards
Pros of Buying Used Backhoe Parts at Salvage Yards
The best reason to buy used parts for any machinery is to save money. You can save 60 to 70% off the cost of buying new parts. If you have an older digger, you may not have any other choice but to find used parts.
Another perk of getting second parts is that much of what you get will be OEM pieces. 99% of the parts you will come across will be manufacturer-installed and assembled. This is far better than getting after market pieces.
Sometimes you can get a warranty on parts as well. Not all yards do this, but some allow you to pay a few extra dollars and get a 30-day part exchange or credit. It is more common to get this standard on motors and transmissions.
Cons of Buying Used Backhoe Parts at Salvage Yards
When it comes to second hand parts, quality can be the turn-off. Backhoes are construction equipment and by nature are made to be under stress. Much of what you find will have reached its end of life or have thousands of hours logged on it. Before you remove any parts you need to perform a very thorough inspection. Then you should do another inspection of the part after it is removed.
Alternative Places for Used Digger Parts
While you can find yards that specialize in backhoes, there are a few other types of junk yards where I have seen them.
Backhoe Junkyards Near Me Conclusion
Backhoe salvages are a great place to save money on parts for your construction machinery. In some cases, like older model diggers, they may be your only option for finding parts. If you don’t have a digger yard close, you can check for related industrial equipment types as many of these yards have mixed equipment. When it comes to backhoes, must best advice is to look online first for parts before you venture to your local yard. That’s what I have learned from the backhoe junkyards near me.
