Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[TMGT]

Wow these Chinese mini excavators seem like a lot of hassle. Doesn’t a nice used Kubota run around $10,000 in a similar size? Thank you for sharing the info with us.

10k for a excavator will pretty much get you a clapped out project around here.
Not sure about the Chinese ones, but for how much I use it, and the fact I already have some good engines, it might be worth it.

 

[TMGT]

I assume these are open center hyd. systems? How do they do with multiple functions at one time?

 

[dfkrug]

Do you have a picture of the air duct that is missing?

See Post # 47 above.

You may also want to add filtration, as I did. See above.

 

[dfkrug]

Wow these Chinese mini excavators seem like a lot of hassle. Doesn’t a nice used Kubota run around $10,000 in a similar size?

I dealt with my search for a used mini above.

Just 2 weeks ago, I did an inspection on a used IHI IS10 diesel that a local guy just bought for $9200. It is maybe 30yo and has no hour meter. It has a nice running 2-cyl Isuzu engine, but tracks are worn out, and the boom-swing cylinder cross-tube is broken. Its rod it bent, too. Can't access hyd system unless panel(s) are removed. Has not seen the business end of a grease gun in years.

 

[dfkrug]

Not sure if it was mentioned earlier in this thread, but can you buy one without the engine? I have a couple 16-34hp Kubota diesels sitting around that should work well in one of these.

That was half of the point of this thread. My first unit I bought with no engine. Currently, at least 4 companies will sell you a unit with EPA gas engine installed. Multi-cyl engines will be tight fit.

Hydraulics are like those on a tractor: single gear pump, open-center, direct-control joysticks. Feathering takes practice.

 

[TMGT]

That was half of the point of this thread. My first unit I bought with no engine. Currently, at least 4 companies will sell you a unit with EPA gas engine installed. Multi-cyl engines will be tight fit.

Hydraulics are like those on a tractor: single gear pump, open-center, direct-control joysticks. Feathering takes practice.

Shows how I shouldn't rely on my memory, I was following this thread when you first started it but lost track a while ago. For some reason I was thinking you bought it with an engine and changed it out for a different one, guess I should have refreshed my memory!

The hydraulics are a little disappointing, no better then my backhoe. Guess I could always upgrade them to multi pump, but at some point the cost savings go away.

 

[dfkrug]

The hydraulics are a little disappointing, no better then my backhoe.

True. To get piloted servo-valves and more than one pump, you have to go to the next size level up, even with Kubota, Cat, etc. Same with the Chinese machines.

To sell a much less expensive machine, these units have a cheap engine, no boom-swing, fixed track width, and direct-drive wheel motors (no planetary final drives). They DO come with an AUX valve, plumbed to the dipper, and very inexpensive replacement parts.

 

[TMGT]

I'd even be happy with multi pump and seperated valves so I could operate multifunctions without having to play the joystick juggle!

 

[KB3]

See Post # 47 above.

You may also want to add filtration, as I did. See above.

From my picture on post # 213 it looks like there may be some clearance issues for an air duct. I will get a better look in the next couple days since the machine isn't near me at the moment. I am also going to contact the manufacturer to see if they can at least tell me what size fitting I would need to adapt a cooler and filter. Or if they have something they can send me. Did you ever install an oil cooler? Or run into any issues of getting it hot?

 

[ProjectKing]

I dealt with my search for a used mini above.

Just 2 weeks ago, I did an inspection on a used IHI IS10 diesel that a local guy just bought for $9200. It is maybe 30yo and has no hour meter. It has a nice running 2-cyl Isuzu engine, but tracks are worn out, and the boom-swing cylinder cross-tube is broken. Its rod it bent, too. Can't access hyd system unless panel(s) are removed. Has not seen the business end of a grease gun in years.

I guess it depends on what part of the country you live in.

 

[jcruzishere]

i am looking to import an Chinese mini excavator through alibaba. Does anyone know of a reliable company to buy from
on there?

 

[jcruzishere]

loongsheen one ton i saw kb3 purchased through them but i am also considering hightop 10 mini excavator one ton due to $400 dollars less

 

[dfkrug]

Did you ever install an oil cooler? Or run into any issues of getting it hot?

I never installed an oil cooler, but some of these units DO have them, installed outside the house, behind the seat in some cases. The machines DO get hot, so I first installed a temp gauge, then try to keep temps below 60C. Routing hot air out of the house is very important. If Loongsheen did not install the engine in a way that allows for the air inlet duct, then you should relocate the engine. It may mean just drilling four new holes in the mounting plate.

 

[KB3]

i am looking to import an Chinese mini excavator through alibaba. Does anyone know of a reliable company to buy from
on there?

I had gotten Loongsheen and Hightop into a bidding war. They really didn't move much on their price, but Loongsheen kept throwing in attachments for me. I'm happy with my machine can't speak for the Hightop. I would make sure you can get the spin on filter put on there or see if they would use NPTF fittings. From what I can tell so far it's going to take 5 fittings to go from metric to NPTF. Three on the tank side and two on the hose.

 

[KB3]

I never installed an oil cooler, but some of these units DO have them, installed outside the house, behind the seat in some cases. The machines DO get hot, so I first installed a temp gauge, then try to keep temps below 60C. Routing hot air out of the house is very important. If Loongsheen did not install the engine in a way that allows for the air inlet duct, then you should relocate the engine. It may mean just drilling four new holes in the mounting plate.

I'll have to see what I can do on that one. It looks like I could move the engine back an inch before it hits the rear cover. I may be able to move the hydraulic reservoir forward some. This might just give me the clearance needed. I installed a temperature gauge that is ment to go under a head bolt. Except I put it under one of the bolts for where the strainer mounts to the hydraulic reservoir. So far I haven't seen over 127F and it was around 67-70F that day. I ran it constantly for a few hours. I also asked Loongsheen on getting a cooler and they told me it barely makes any difference and wasn't worth getting. Not sure if they didn't want to sell me one or maybe their coolers are undersized. Any idea where to get the air inlet duct?

 

[dfkrug]

Any idea where to get the air inlet duct?

Use the air duct that they normally put in there for the ChangChai or Koop diesel engine. I have not looked for a US supplier of these. Order from the factory and they should send you one. On my machine, the duct was still installed after they removed the diesel engine. I adapted it to mine.

The temperature you need to monitor is the hydraulic oil, not the engine. The newer units from multiple factories seem to be installing a thermometer on the hyd reservoir sight glass. Not easy to see. I like my remote thermometer better.

 

[KB3]

Use the air duct that they normally put in there for the ChangChai or Koop diesel engine. I have not looked for a US supplier of these. Order from the factory and they should send you one. On my machine, the duct was still installed after they removed the diesel engine. I adapted it to mine.

The temperature you need to monitor is the hydraulic oil, not the engine. The newer units from multiple factories seem to be installing a thermometer on the hyd reservoir sight glass. Not easy to see. I like my remote thermometer better.

I will have to come up with something for the air duct. Loongsheen claims they don't use the duct. With where I've put the temp sensor it should show the outside temperature of the hydraulic reservoir. Which I wouldn't think could be too far off of the actual fluid temperature. One of the bolts that mounts the strainer was my best option at the moment. Hoping to get an actual probe in soon.

 

[dfkrug]

I will have to come up with something for the air duct.

You can also operate the machine with the rear body panel off entirely. These engines are not really designed to be enclosed, IMO. Hence the need for forced ventilation and ducting. I also routed my muffler and combustion air intake outside of the house, as you can see above.

The OEM muffler is quieter than my generic cylindrical muffler, so I may modify that or try another. I have one from a large Honda generator that I may try.

 

[steve1977]

I'm about to buy one of these from China will be shipping it to Cincinnati is there anything I need to be aware of in order of fees or anything that I must make sure that's included I appreciate your reply

 

[dfkrug]

I'm about to buy one of these from China will be shipping it to Cincinnati is there anything I need to be aware of in order of fees or anything that I must make sure that's included I appreciate your reply

If you are using Alibaba, they can handle all logistics for you. The importation process is complicated.

Make sure you buy spares and attachments at the time of your purchase, when they are cheap.