Used Volvo EC480, EC460 and EC360 Excavator for Sale: Large Volvo Export Guide

Volvo's big crawler excavators are a favourite in quarries, mines and heavy civil projects because of their comfortable cabs, fuel efficiency and strong hydraulics. Shanghai has a good supply of used Volvo EC360, EC380, EC460 and EC480 excavators, many with modest hours. This guide compares the main 35–48 ton models, explains what to check on video, and covers shipping a large used Volvo excavator from China to Africa and South America.

Which large Volvo fits your job?

• EC350D / EC360B / EC380D (35–38 tons): mass excavation, road cuts and loading 25–30 ton trucks. Examples: EC350DL (2023, 760 h), EC350D (2022, 983 h), EC360B (2022, 3000 h) and EC380D (2022, 3424 h).
• EC460B / EC480DL (46–48 tons): quarry face work, mine stripping and heavy breaker work with larger rock buckets. Examples: EC480DL (2022, 1086 h), EC480DL (2021, 2896 h) and EC460B (2021, 4611 h).
• EC290 / EC300D (29–30 tons): a middle option when sites are tight. Examples: EC290 (2023, 783 h) and EC300D (2020, 2672 h).

See everything currently listed under used Volvo excavators, and our Volvo EC210 inspection guide if a 20-ton machine is enough.

Older B-series or newer D-series?

B-series machines (EC360B, EC460B) have simpler electronics and are easier for local mechanics to repair, which matters on remote sites. D-series machines (EC350D, EC380D, EC480DL) use less fuel and offer a better cab and monitor, but ask which engine and after-treatment is fitted if your country has high-sulphur diesel.

Video inspection checklist

1. Serial plate, hour meter and monitor fault codes in one uncut clip.
2. Cold start and smoke colour, then blow-by at working temperature.
3. Hydraulic power: lift a full bucket at full reach; the boom must not slow down or drift.
4. Swing: full rotations both ways, and slew ring play with the bucket off the ground.
5. Structure: cracks or re-welds at the boom foot, stick nose and bucket linkage, common on quarry machines.
6. Undercarriage: sprockets, rollers, idlers and shoe height; on this size a new undercarriage is a big cost, so price it in.
7. Travel straight-line test and full-speed in both directions.

Comparing brands? Read our CAT 349 guide and Komatsu PC450-8 guide.

Shipping a large Volvo from Shanghai

Machines of 35–48 tons do not fit in a closed container. They normally ship by RoRo, on a flat rack with the bucket removed, or as break bulk. RoRo is usually cheapest to ports such as Lagos, Tema, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Callao and Santos. Ask for both FOB Shanghai and CIF prices, and confirm local age limits and inspection rules with your broker. Our Kenya, Ghana and South Africa import guide explains the paperwork.

Get a live walk-around video

Send the model, budget and destination port, and we will reply with available Volvo units and a live video. WhatsApp / Tel: +86 180 1734 8066 · www.ychs-machinery.com