2007 CAT 320D: The Pre-Shipping Punch List
Buying a 2007 machine is one decision; shipping it is another. The pre-shipping punch list is where you decide what gets fixed in China and what waits until the machine reaches your site. This is the list I would use on exy-cate320d-048, a 2007 CAT 320D, 10,000 hours, Grade B, quoted on request.
Why a pre-shipping list matters
A machine that leaves China with a known hydraulic leak or a worn track costs more to fix at the destination. A machine that leaves with a cosmetic issue can wait. The list separates “must fix before loading” from “monitor after arrival”.
It also gives you a written record for the carrier, the insurer and the buyer if you resell. Photos before loading are part of that record.
The six-item punch list
| Item | Fix in China? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic leaks | Yes, if visible | Oil loss and fire risk; easy to document before loading |
| Loose or damaged hoses | Yes | Cheap to replace in China; expensive after arrival |
| Battery and starting | Yes | The machine must start for loading and inspection |
| Tracks/undercarriage | Decide by wear | Replace only if near end of life; otherwise record the condition |
| Lights and alarms | If required | Some ports and sites require working lights and alarms |
| Cosmetics | No | Paint and decals do not affect the work |
What not to fix before shipping
Do not repaint a used machine to make it look newer. Paint can hide corrosion or welds, and a fresh paint job on a 2007 unit raises questions rather than answering them. Do not replace parts that are still serviceable just to improve the listing; you will pay twice.
Do fix anything that affects safe loading or the machine’s ability to start and move. The carrier and the port need a machine that can be driven or lifted safely.
Document the condition before loading
Ask for dated photos of all four sides, the cab, the engine bay, the undercarriage and the hour meter. Ask for a short cold-start video. If the seller has an inspection report, attach it to the shipping file.
These photos are not just for you. They are the baseline if the machine is damaged in transit or if a buyer disputes the condition later.
The budget line
Set a repair reserve before you ship. Ask your mechanic what the likely first-year repairs are for a 2007 320D at 10,000 hours, and put a number against them. If the reserve plus the purchase price is still below a lower-hour unit, the older machine is rational.
If the reserve pushes the total above the 2013 320D in the same yard, compare the two before you load. The cheaper sticker is not always the cheaper machine.
What to ask the loading crew
Ask how the machine will be lifted or driven onto the transport, and whether the boom and cab need to be lowered or removed. Ask for the lifting points and the weight. A 2007 machine may have a different attachment or counterweight configuration from the catalogue; the crew should see the actual unit.
Ask for photos of the machine secured before departure. That photo is your evidence if the machine shifts or is damaged in transit.
Parts to keep with the machine
If the machine has a quick coupler, extra bucket or spare parts, declare them on the packing list and load them with the unit. A loose bucket shipped separately can go missing; a declared attachment is part of the shipment.
Keep the inspection report and the pre-shipping photos in the same file as the bill of lading. You will need them if the machine is resold or inspected at the destination.
A note on the 2007 year
Older machines can be simpler for a local mechanic, but parts availability varies by market. Ask your workshop which year they prefer before you buy. A 2007 unit with a good undercarriage can be a better buy than a newer unit with a worn one; the year alone is not the answer.
Questions buyers ask
Should I replace the undercarriage before shipping?
Only if it is near the end of its life. Otherwise document the wear and price it into your reserve. Replacing a serviceable undercarriage in China can cost more than the value it adds.
Can the seller fix issues before loading?
Ask for a written list and photos of the work. Do not accept “we will fix it” without evidence before the container or flat rack is loaded.
What is the FOB price?
Price on request for this unit. The final quote is confirmed on WhatsApp.
Decide what gets fixed before the machine leaves China.
Ask for dated photos, a cold-start video and the undercarriage close-ups for exy-cate320d-048. We will confirm availability and the current price on WhatsApp.