Buying a Mini Excavator Sight Unseen through an Online Auction 

It really is. That would get really expensive.

Congrats, the main issues with buying the trailer at auction will be the tires and wheel bearings.

Yes, most probably.

I have not personally experienced that condition, yet. Based on posts I've read elsewhere, it may be caused by low hydraulic oil, or as a result of the pickup tube in the hydraulic tank being too short. I have not inspected inside the tank of this unit to see if they have the short tube. If so, then we need to install an extension so the tube remains below the fluid level when the unit is on a steep slope. One way you could test to see if this is the problem would be to try going up that same incline with the unit facing in the opposite direction. If the fluid in the tank moves lower relative to the pickup tube in one direction, then it would move higher on the tube when going the opposite way. Just don't tip it over!

My winning bid amount was $4,000, and the final invoice (including sales tax and buyer's premium) was $4,887.50. To avoid surprises or overspending my max budget, I created a spreadsheet that calculates the sales tax and buyer's premiums associated with any bid amount. I had it open on a computer screen next to the auction page. That allowed me to keep track of the total out-the-door cost as I incremented my bids.

I'm really glad to hear that! Thanks!