Agrotk excavators: Does anyone have one? Opinions/comments/critiques?

[KilroyJC]

Still looking for a potential mini-ex.
is this a viable unit?

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/219319205/2023-agrotk-h12-mini-up-to-12000-lbs-excavators

it comes with power thumb, I just wish it was diesel not gas.

everything I have seen used is either clapped-out or too expensive.
this is for lifting logs, general brush clearing, “homeowner” -type tasks.


thanks for any input!

 

[Rich B1]

Someone has to be the first to write a review!

 

[grsthegreat]

Sotty, but I wouldn’t spend $1 on a cheap Chinese piece o junk. Just wait until you need some parts for it… much less warranty repair

 

[grsthegreat]

Also, heres a size comparison. Better find a 3 foot tall operator

 

[dusty3030]

What's your budget?
Have you considered a full sized backhoe?
I follow a lot of auctions and mini's are still selling for strong money but backhoes are not. If you don't mind turning a wrench and fixing a leaky hose or cylinder for what you'd spend on the machine you linked you're almost into a decent used backhoe. If you are a cash buyer watch auctions in your area and around closely.
Even a well used Case 580 you can sell for what you have in it as long as it runs so you can trade up later if you'd like. I doubt you could recoup half your money from a Chinese small excavator.

 

[KilroyJC]

What's your budget?
Have you considered a full sized backhoe?
I follow a lot of auctions and mini's are still selling for strong money but backhoes are not. If you don't mind turning a wrench and fixing a leaky hose or cylinder for what you'd spend on the machine you linked you're almost into a decent used backhoe. If you are a cash buyer watch auctions in your area and around closely.
Even a well used Case 580 you can sell for what you have in it as long as it runs so you can trade up later if you'd like. I doubt you could recoup half your money from a Chinese small excavator.

I have been looking for Ford 555s and Case 580s and everything that seems even halfway usable is well over $20G. Last month, I was looking at a mid1980s Kato excavator that asking was 10G, 28k-lb unit, no thumb, no plow, rode hard & put away wet, everything leaky, plus transport costs. A backhoe would work for most of anything I need, a mini-ex can get into places the backhoe can’t.

I would actually prefer an older unit with minimal/no computers and a diesel engine.


I check the CL almost daily, Mrs does the local Facebook market.

I really want to buy something instead of paying people to do work, or renting equipment, but I don’t want to take on a second mortgage— I could very easily go down to our local Kubota dealer and leave with a 12Klb unit on my signature, I would prefer to pay cash instead.


But what is Made In USA that is available in the up-to-$15G range That comes with a blade and thumb and diesel? Yes, this is gas not diesel, I know, but what are ya gonna do?
Heck - what meets that criteria at $25G. And how much of it is really “MADE IN USA“ anyway? Give me a lead on something Made In USA at twice the price of the Ageotk and I will gladly look at it rather than some Chinesium junk…


as to “minding turning a wrench”, me and a friend pulled the engine of my first car (‘75 Chevy, 350SB) with a chain, a couple of 2x4s on our shoulders, and a lot more brawn than sense…

 

[herm0016]

@KilroyJC same situation out here, hard to find a good one and expensive. I am in a similar situation.

 

[KilroyJC]

@KilroyJC same situation out here, hard to find a good one and expensive. I am in a similar situation.

Just scanned through IronPlanet and ePrey. Anything under $15G is clapped-out junk. Same for backhoes.

 

[TimberFarm]

I have been following the auctions and these mini-ex's are all over the place. It seems like they get "dumped" by distributors.
I was following Rebel Auctions in GA last week and they had a least a dozen of these. I think they all went for less than $7000.
Agrotk has a presence in Chicago if you look at their website so they aren't just a one-off machine.

 

[4570Man]

Based on this video and what I already expected I’d avoid the China excavator.

 

[TimberFarm]

Based on this video, seems the Chinese beat the Yanmar at 1/3 the cost.
Why would you avoid it?

 

[sd455dan]

Someone has to be the first to write a review!

dfkrug has some experience with the chinese mini/ micro ex's

Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

It has been a while since I posted a Big Project on TBN, so here we go again. I have been on a quest for a mini-X, so I imported a new one from China. It has been complicated and took a lot of time and energy, but it is here and working. Over the next week or so, I will post about my search...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[dfkrug]

As mentioned, Agrotk sub-2T mini-excavators are showing up all over the US, at auctions. I see both the B&S gasoline units, and the 3-cyl EPA diesels. Shipped out of Chicago; HQ in TX.

I don't know if they have ironed out some of the bugs that you see in other Chinese units that use the same design for many of the components.

As long as you match the hyd pump size, and modify the electrical system, I don't see significant downsides to the gas engine. Replacing or rebuilding it would be very inexpensive. Not so for the diesel (Yanmar or Kubota). Kinda like to see one of the new FI Honda thumpers in there....

I am nearing 150 hours on my Rhinocerous (Xiniu) XN08 and love it. (With all of my improvements.)

 

[TimberFarm]

dfkrug has some experience with the chinese mini/ micro ex's

Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

It has been a while since I posted a Big Project on TBN, so here we go again. I have been on a quest for a mini-X, so I imported a new one from China. It has been complicated and took a lot of time and energy, but it is here and working. Over the next week or so, I will post about my search...

www.tractorbynet.com

I was seeking info on an excavator that had an ID plate with the TX address on it. When I looked up the address it came up "For Rent".
I sent a text to the Chicago Agrotk number and they said they did not make this excavator even though it said Agrotk on the ID plate.

They are all over. There is a Ritchie auction in CA coming up and they around 35 of these minis by four different manufacturers. All brand new. That was why I made the previous comment about them being "dumped" as consignment sales apparently to get them out there anyway they can.

 

[2manyrocks]

For homeowner work around the house, it could be that one of the TYM tractor/backhoe packages or something similar might be the best value option at the moment unless you luck into a good, used backhoe somewhere somehow.

 

[sd455dan]

I was seeking info on an excavator that had an ID plate with the TX address on it. When I looked up the address it came up "For Rent".
I sent a text to the Chicago Agrotk number and they said they did not make this excavator even though it said Agrotk on the ID plate.

They are all over. There is a Ritchie auction in CA coming up and they around 35 of these minis by four different manufacturers. All brand new. That was why I made the previous comment about them being "dumped" as consignment sales apparently to get them out there anyway they can.

Very, Interesting,
I just posted the link to dfkrug;s thread since I knew he had a thread on one of these small china Import mini ex's. And have been very Impressed with some of his projects and fixes including hydrostatic drive units.

Also... I have had great luck overall with my chinese tractor over the years, So I watch many of the threads about them and even these mini exe's.

That said I started looking at mini and micro excavators and then Found what the op is trying to avoid, a clapped out Full size backhoe and bought it instead. It has needed several repairs and has been welded on extensively and has leaks and some pretty loose pins but for a starting price of 8K I did all right, I think. 13000lbs of machine
She will lift a lot of weight and also really move some dirt.

Still interested in these really compact exe's and will be following this thread. It does sound Like there was a ship full of these Minis brought in and now an over supply of them that are being sold at the auctions. If I was looking to buy at an auction would be doing as dfkrug suggested and try and figure out which pumps and parts were used. I have my doubts about ANY after sale support even if they are brand new.

Does make it a bit harder hunting down parts but my guess is with the right help from a knowledgeable parts supplier from China the units could be serviced (but it may be a major pain).

Not advising for or against. Good Luck and Best wishes for All looking into backhoes of all kinds.

 

[4570Man]

Based on this video, seems the Chinese beat the Yanmar at 1/3 the cost.
Why would you avoid it?

The Chinese excavator was pretty similar in performance but it’s lacks the ability to quickly change the control pattern, it’s gasoline vs diesel, it lacks hydraulic adjustable width tracks which is realistically pretty important for that size class, the controls are considerably rougher, it has a janky drive motor setup, the dealer support and parts network is non existent and the resale vehicle is presumably poor. How would you consider that beating the yammer in any aspect other than upfront cost?

 

[KilroyJC]

For homeowner work around the house, it could be that one of the TYM tractor/backhoe packages or something similar might be the best value option at the moment unless you luck into a good, used backhoe somewhere somehow.

There are plenty of good, used equipment, be it trackhoes, backhoes, skidsyeers - if you can cough up $25G-$75G.

If that clapped-out 28000lb Kato had a plow and thumb I would have bought it for the asking $10G if they threw in transporting it the 40 miles and dealt with its issues…

in a nearby tree line I recently spotted a backhoe - or I should say, I spotted the ROPS and arm, because the rest was completely encased in thorn briars and Virginia Creeper - it should be affordable. . . Until I have to replace all the rubber bits…

 

[mikester]

The Chinese excavator was pretty similar in performance but it’s lacks the ability to quickly change the control pattern, it’s gasoline vs diesel, it lacks hydraulic adjustable width tracks which is realistically pretty important for that size class, the controls are considerably rougher, it has a janky drive motor setup, the dealer support and parts network is non existent and the resale vehicle is presumably poor. How would you consider that beating the yammer in any aspect other than upfront cost?

For some people "getting a deal" trumps cost, quality, safety and productivity. The low cost chinese crap satisfies a niche market and appeals to a portion of the population.

You can't rationalize with hoarder mentalities.

 

[KilroyJC]

For some people "getting a deal" trumps cost, quality, safety and productivity. The low cost chinese crap satisfies a niche market and appeals to a portion of the population.

You can't rationalize with hoarder mentalities.

Being retired and on a fixed income makes “getting a deal” a bigger part of the equation. If I were going to have a business/side business, I would be signing financing for a Bobcat E35, transport trailer, and a 3500 Ram Diesel…