Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[D'oh]

That company in TX that imported all the AgroTK machines is a good candidate for a US-based source of parts, accessories, and advice. No importer that I have heard of has stepped up so far. Service will have to be local, and mostly DIY. I think that with a good knowledge base and simple construction, repairs will not be difficult.

Not for me. I am old and not interested in any job or business any more. The
technical side still interests me...that is why I started this thread. I still have a lot of spares here.....

Yes Stick With It. I think that they are easy enough to keep Patched Together with Locally Sourced Parts. Agro TK or Ground Hog seem to have some Off stuff like Tracks and Rollers available.

And truly, What will wear out using it 100 hours/year like most candidates.

Together we can sort out Hydraulic Fitting Sizes and Adaptors when needed, Gas Cap Issues, Exhaust extensions and the little stuff we have come across.

Kinda why I signed up to this Thread. And you seem to have the most knowledge having run one longer, and brought it over personally.

I have been watching to see if the Power DUmpers hit the Auction soon, or I might be asking more about the Importing Process.

 

[Fredrik]

Hopefully the toaster is finished. The last of the new grates are put in.

 

[Fredrik]

My mini has about 6 hours on it now.
While motoring down to the pond I'm cleaning out , the left track started walking off.
I caught it in time to get it back on with a digging bar .
Crawled it slowly back to the shop and realized there was no way any wrenches would fit into the access hole for the adjuster.

Don't know if any one else has had this problem but heres what i did .

 

[Fredrik]

Access was tiny. So out comes the cut off wheels.

 

[Fredrik]

New access works great, nice and big . Im now wondering what the proper tension should be . Any one have a clue.



Access I felt needed needed a cover to keep out bebris.

 

[TimberFarm]

Hopefully the toaster is finished. The last of the new grates are put in.View attachment 806329

Nice! Looks like it could be OEM.

 

[Fredrik]

Thanks Timber. It's first off the reservation job is next Wednesday. If everything goes according to plan, It will be halfway paid for after 2 days. French drain job and downspout trenches. Very tight spot to get into. Right tool for the job.

 

[dfkrug]

While motoring down to the pond I'm cleaning out , the left track started walking off.
I caught it in time to get it back on with a digging bar .
Crawled it slowly back to the shop and realized there was no way any wrenches would fit into the access hole for the adjuste

As you found out, it is very easy to have the tracks come off, both inboard and outboard. The adjuster uses only spring pressure, and I keep mine at max. The threaded rod is not hard to turn after loosening the locknut. I just use a box wrench.

In making the access hole bigger, you may want to go back and recut those square corners to have a radius. This is a structural member and you are inviting stress cracks at the corners. If you start with drilling a hole before cutting the sides out, you will have your radiused corners.

To minimize track problems, I am extra careful driving over rocks, esp when turning. And I will often turn by lifting with the boom and driving only one track.

 

[D'oh]

The Beach Sand Soil the Cabin is on is full of Golf Ball size and smaller, rocks, and have jammed and jumped my tracks often. I have been able to lift and reverse clean them so far, but yes I have been very careful while traveling. I also turn by Boom mostly to reduce the stresses.

I haven't yet got to a point where a track wouldn't walk itself back on while off the ground.

 

[Fredrik]

ALL good points , duly noted.

For the record my excavation work is a retired and bored mans hobby. My mini will likely see less than 100 hours a year. It is a great additional tool so far.