Cheap Chinese excavators

[NFH2740]

 

[AJHD]

13.5HP, that’s cute but unless you’re installing sprinkler system in sandy soil or just scraping weeds I think you’re going to be pretty disappointed.

Interesting... I'm not an equipment operator, I only operated machines for repair, into/out of the shop and around the yard. I never really thought much about engine size, HP or otherwise how much power (or lack of) these things have.

But I can tell you working in a shop based around equipment rentals, the mini-excavators were insanely popular.
Also, CAT currently has at least 9 different mini-excavator models under 25HP.

I'm curious as to their limit. What they are good for or should be used for, and what their just too small to accomplish.

 

[jonesg]

they look like the cats meow for guys like me but up in maine cheap tractors with attachments are cheap and fairly common.
I see mid sized ford tractors that looks very useful.

 

[finn]

Interesting... I'm not an equipment operator, I only operated machines for repair, into/out of the shop and around the yard. I never really thought much about engine size, HP or otherwise how much power (or lack of) these things have.

But I can tell you working in a shop based around equipment rentals, the mini-excavators were insanely popular.
Also, CAT currently has at least 9 different mini-excavator models under 25HP.

I'm curious as to their limit. What they are good for or should be used for, and what their just too small to accomplish.

And Deere has 8 mini excavators. Everything under a five metric ton 50G is less than 25hp.

I suspect Kubota, and all the rest of the small machines are similarly powered.

The Deere 17G is 14.5 hp.. That’s a 1.6 metric ton machine popular because it fits into basements and through 4’ gates to get into back yards.

 

[reader2580]

Are any of the low HP Deere or Cat minis gas powered? I suspected they are diesel powered versus gas powered.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

$6000? With the attachments?
Must be the Sum Ting Wong model.

Ho Lee Chit, PD. That comment is a little ethnically insensitive! Lol

 

[finn]

Are any of the low HP Deere or Cat minis gas powered? I suspected they are diesel powered versus gas powered.

Diesel. Hp is hp. Excavators and other construction equipment typically are designed to run at rated speed, on the Governor overrun curve. At least they were when I was developing fuel injection systems for them.

 

[reader2580]

Diesel. Hp is hp. Excavators and other construction equipment typically are designed to run at rated speed, on the Governor overrun curve. At least they were when I was developing fuel injection systems for them.

I've run the same basic Toro mower with both diesel and gas engines at essentially the same HP. Both liquid cooled engines. The diesel version would cut grass fine in situations that would kill the engine on the gas version. Diesel has more torque.

 

[finn]

I've run the same basic Toro mower with both diesel and gas engines at essentially the same HP. Both liquid cooled engines. The diesel version would cut grass fine in situations that would kill the engine on the gas version. Diesel has more torque.

Doesn’t matter much when you’re running on the overrun curve. Much like a combine, or even a generator. Combines have only a few percent torque rise, because they almost never run below rated speed.

 

[Matt XYZ]

I was working with the Ghana army engineers a few years ago and we reviewed their equipment needs. They had an entire fleet of cheap and broken Chinese earthwork equipment. They stated that half of it broke coming off the trailer and none of it every pushed dirt. It was complete **** and they couldn't get repair parts for the no name brands. I would stay far away from any equipment. You get what you pay for.

 

[nadogail]

When the Chinese want better equipment they should buy imported products.
When they want cheap ****, they can look at their own production.

 

[finn]

When the Chinese want better equipment they should buy imported products.
When they want cheap ****, they can look at their own production.

That doesn’t make sense. Cat, for one, has a huge presence in China, both components and machine manufacturing, plus quite a bit of Engineering.

I’m not sure, but I think Cat is number two,
excavator sales wise, in China, behind number one Sany.

Edit. Just checked. Cat makes excavators and wheel loaders in China, and guts where their Asia Pacific corporate headquarters is located.

 

[Firebrick43]

I've run the same basic Toro mower with both diesel and gas engines at essentially the same HP. Both liquid cooled engines. The diesel version would cut grass fine in situations that would kill the engine on the gas version. Diesel has more torque.

Surprise, the diesel has 40 percent more displacement for the same HP rating. Not surprising with such a displacement disparity and difference in stoke it has more reserve torque.

And a lot higher price tag/maintenance cost.

Buy a mower with the next size bigger gas motor it still will still be smaller displacement and still cheaper than the diesel and have better full load performance even yet

 

[Earp69]

I got a buddy that bought a bigger one with a cab. It's worked great so far(a year). But no manual, no fluid specs/capacities, all ******* fittings and parts. No thanks.

 

[tncatadjuster]

I’m going to buy one, low expectations. Once I saw Andrew use it I was hooked. I can deal with cheap now that l’m retired; 40 years in business I always bought the best. This could be fun.

 

[P0234]

I’m going to buy one, low expectations. Once I saw Andrew use it I was hooked. I can deal with cheap now that l’m retired; 40 years in business I always bought the best. This could be fun.

Check facebook marketplace. I see them pop up frequently at some tempting prices.

 

[462867aa]

Check out Andrew camarata on youtube. He just got one for $4000. Didnt seem to do too bad.

 

[Ton ton]

If I can’t fix it based on the things I do everyday to my standards, throw it in the dumpster

I want to look in your dumpster. LOL.

 

[Ton ton]

Cheap, Chinese, and Good are rarely used together.

There's brand name farm tractors coming out of China. I would say parts availability is the big question. Not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, though.

 

[isb cornbinder]

It's a great quote to live by, spread and preach but there are times when doing that costs you 5 or 10 times the amount.

Pay now or pay later. If we do not invest in our future, now, the future will be it the hands and control of someone else.
When the jobs have left here and gone there, those who remain will not be able to afford the import. It is a slow takeover. Low prices are the bait. Every time I make a choice for one product and not another, one company wins and another loses.
I will stop now. I think this is very clear and needs no further explanation from me.
I like to take the view of the greater good for the community. I am 78 now. The future is for my kids. I want to do as much as I can to not damage their futures.

 

[mreisner]

Not that they have much warranty anyways, but I have heard that these Chinese mini excavators if sold through an auction yard have no warranty at all

 

[tncatadjuster]

I don’t have kids, I don’t need a warranty. I’m not being a wise guy. I’m old and this cost so little. I did my part to not pollute the world also I spent my life making American industry better.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Good luck. ******* hoses with ends most shops don’t keep on hand, engines and hydraulics that look like normal stuff but isn’t. Know a few already fitting with drive/hydro/engine problems that are deemed unrepairable

Great way for dealers to go out of business 10 years from now when they tell all their customers it can't be fixed

 

[Doozer75]

No ROPS will make OSHA all cool and finey to ya.......................................

Those who profess allegiance to rules
enjoy being forced to comply to the rules.
You are willingly handing over your freedom,
and trading it for partisan acceptance from a tyrannical authority
just to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Now others know the cards you play.

-Doozer

 

[zendriver]

Those who profess allegiance to rules
enjoy being forced to comply to the rules.
You are willingly handing over your freedom,
and trading it for partisan acceptance from a tyrannical authority
just to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Now others know the cards you play.

-Doozer

A the end of the shift, Workers generally like to go home in the same physical condition as they went in. (with the exception of being tired)

Don't you?

Fortunately (for everyone), safety "freedom fighters" become dead-meat pretty quick, in the petroleum industry.

 

[PCustoms]

A the end of the shift, Workers generally like to go home in the same physical condition as they went in. (with the exception of being tired)

I've seen that post/rant in other threads. Seems to represent some weird idealogy.


As for cheap off brand excavators, I'd rather have some clapped out unit that has parts and service availability. Breaking something mid job might cost you, but at least in doesn't become a reverse engineering project (and still cost you).

 

[zendriver]

I've seen that post/rant in other threads. Seems to represent some weird idealogy.


As for cheap off brand excavators, I'd rather have some clapped out unit that has parts and service availability. Breaking something mid job might cost you, but at least in doesn't become a reverse engineering project (and still cost you).

I watched an "unboxing" video of it and inside it all looks pretty basic, simple really.

It they wanted to, looks like one could easily yank out all the hydraulics and replace with "good stuff" for a couple of grand. For six grand, it's designed to either be patch repaired or scrapped, if one does not one to bother fixing.

Can you get a similar, usable brand-name unit for that price?

 

[tncatadjuster]

This is so small you can pull it behind a car or pickup. It’s cheap so therefore it is what it is, I have low expectations and don’t mind fixing or replacing things. It looks like I can get one for $5,600 all in. After watching the local market for two years for small used equipment this shows up. I’m not diggng so much as just cleaning up some of my properties.
I don’t want to rent a real one for a month, I want one for two hours a week for the next 30 weeks at different locations. If you watch Andrew it’s his skill that makes it look capable. I’m guessing this is about like a 500 ccc dirtbike, need to stay focused.
It’s going to be fun for me. I’m going to an auction and see how it goes.

 

[Farmall450]

$6000? With the attachments?
Must be the Sum Ting Wong model.

Andrew Camarata got one for $4k and has been using it, for that money I'd say it could pay for itself before breaking down.

I'd be skeptical of parts replacement, but they're becoming to prevalent that might not be an issue.

 

[Farmall450]

I've seen a few videos on YouTube of people buying them and importing them. They have to hire a broker to get them through customs and some a transport company to pick them up at the shipyard.

I'll pass not to deal with that headache.

Well plenty of people are selling them locally, with that already done, for a premium of course.

 

[Snapped-off]

You can pick up AGT branded mini's for 3500-4k at auction. The local 'dealer' in Chicago will sell them for a bit more than that, with parts support.

I've seen a quite a few people pay for these little machines with 1 small job. It beats the hell out of a shovel.

 

[ATC]

If anyone here knows Andrew, he will put these things to the test:

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Buy Made in your country. It is an investment in your future.

Saving my money is also an investment in my future.

"Buy American made" sounds great and I do when I can, but it isn't always possible.

 

[Farmall450]

If anyone here knows Andrew, he will put these things to the test:

Yeah, he has another video putting in a culvert with it.

I do like how easy to work on they are - in the future that might be the only option besides pre-2000s/emissions equipment for us homegamers who aren't reliant on a dealer with a laptop...

 

[ATC]

Yeah, he has another video putting in a culvert with it.

I do like how easy to work on they are - in the future that might be the only option besides pre-2000s/emissions equipment for us homegamers who aren't reliant on a dealer with a laptop...

Yup, I think I would entertain the idea of one. I bit the bullet a couple years ago and bought a skid steer for around the house... I'd love to have a mini-ex as well...but there's no way I can drop another $20k+ on a decent name brand unit.

Off the shelf gas engine, probably hydro pump too...the only thing I would have any reservations with on that Chinese unit is the drive motors.

 

[Firebrick43]

Yup, I think I would entertain the idea of one. I bit the bullet a couple years ago and bought a skid steer for around the house... I'd love to have a mini-ex as well...but there's no way I can drop another $20k+ on a decent name brand unit.

Off the shelf gas engine, probably hydro pump too...the only thing I would have any reservations with on that Chinese unit is the drive motors.

I would be very concerned about the motors especially since they are only one good sized rock away from a busted case located where they are.

The biggest concern that I would have however would be the slewing ring and rotary union. Specialized high precision parts that there are no off the shelf commonality

 

[dogdog]

Maybe it' like everything else from there.

Works awesome, when it breaks, throw it away and get and get another one.

Parts would be the least problems, If my fridge breaks, a $80 part would have costed me $1000 just to have some one “travel” to look at it, the parts and labor to replace it…. Ok. Sure just complain about complaining about its every ones fault except mine. There is a market for these cheap machines for a reason.

 

[zendriver]

Parts would be the least problems, If my fridge breaks, a $80 part would have costed me $1000 just to have some one “travel” to look at it, the parts and labor to replace it…. Ok. Sure just complain about complaining about its every ones fault except mine. There is a market for these cheap machines for a reason.

True there is reason and it's really just a matter of using common sense.

If one is digging all day long on a contract sewer project, with paid workers standing around, a $6k Chinese excavator is probably not the best choice.

Use one of these on one small project and it might pay for itself

After that, who cares?

 

[Firebrick43]

True there is reason and it's really just a matter of using common sense.

If one is digging all day long on a contract sewer project, with paid workers standing around, a $6k Chinese excavator is probably not the best choice.

Use one of these on one small project and it might pay for itself

After that, who cares?

One small project is going to pay for 6000$?

I have had large project (septic field and 400’ of tile). that I used a 8000lbs excavator for a good 12 hours over two days for $400 a day (800 total) saving $3600 if it had been hired out.

It would have not have been possible with a 2000lbs machine due to depth but let’s say it did even if you allowed yourself a week or more of time to do it.

It’s going to take a LOT of projects to make $6000 pencil out.

 

[tncatadjuster]

One small project is going to pay for 6000$?

I have had large project (septic field and 400’ of tile). that I used a 8000lbs excavator for a good 12 hours over two days for $400 a day (800 total) saving $3600 if it had been hired out.

It would have not have been possible with a 2000lbs machine due to depth but let’s say it did even if you allowed yourself a week or more of time to do it.

It’s going to take a LOT of projects to make $6000 pencil out.

I have four rent houses, three commercial properties that I can take my time to clean up and do small jobs. I will purchase the fence post auger. This machines is never going to be used in a professional manner, and the income value is of no concern. No penciling out as i’m retired.