Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[LittleBill21]

I used Alibaba for this transaction as this was my first import. I wanted to have their tradeassurance support.

what was your total cost?

 

[Kscessnadriver]

New here, I'm headed to Ritchie today to pick up one I won last week. Advertised as a Doway DY12, I think it's actually an Donway, but it doesn't really matter. I'm glad I saw the warning to pull the canopy prior to highway travel, that'll save me issues for sure. Having never driven an excavator, I'm sure it'll be a learning process to just get it loaded, but we will see.

 

[Rich B1]

My AGT had a steel canopy, so no problems during hauling home

 

[dfkrug]

My AGT had a steel canopy, so no problems during hauling home

The problems I and others encountered were with the steel canopy. The plastic ones just recently seen may not have this problem (metal fatigue from bending/vibrating).

 

[Kscessnadriver]

The problems I and others encountered were with the steel canopy. The plastic ones just recently seen may not have this problem (metal fatigue from bending/vibrating).

What actually broke on them? The canopy or the supports? I drug mine 4 hours home with it on today (simply because I wanted to beat the rain while loading), and it made it just fine. I was up to 65 MPH in moderate rain, so it did get a work out. For having never operated an excavator, I didn't find it too awful to get loaded onto an equipment trailer.

 

[dfkrug]

Wind gets under the steel canopies and vibrates the crap out of them. Does not help that some makers use really thin steel sheet, and the edges have quite a curve, which gives them extra lift.

I may have posted this photo here before. The tear in the steel is all the way across.

 

[Rich B1]

I looked at my canopy yesterday and it is fine after the ride home.

 

[jaylast]

Hey great thread!
I'm wondering what the consensus is about the original (and still very common) direct style controls VS newer style pumps with split/piloted boom controls?

It seems like the house designs with the joysticks beside seat are mostly going to be this newer design, and also give longer travel stick control in front (more finesse I assume). Also seems houses do come with more venting now and easier to add cooling as necessary.

OP I think you have used both control types? Wondering if it might be worth the extra$ for smoothness, weighted by another failure point (solenoids?)

I was considering the absolute cheapest models (5k-ish auction/agrotk) against whatever the next step up is like diggit. Or this 1 ton model I'm looking at from cn
Notice the venting and gusseted boom/stick w/ routed hoses along with the different control setup. Not sure if swing is standard.
As mentioned, spare parts and many attachments (bulk) are another benefits of import.
Hopefully they are ducting the gas motors now, but I could do that along with oil cooler as necessary. I get the feeling that asking for too much uncommon (to them) customization wouldn't work out too well lol.

 

[dfkrug]

OP I think you have used both control types? Wondering if it might be worth the extra$ for smoadjustable track wdthothness, weighted by another failure point (solenoids?)

I have used both, and the Diggit with servos is a better feel, and control is a bit better. It did not cost more, however. See above.

It only features one solenoid for safety.

Options are all available: diesel or gas engine, swing boom, adjustable track width, etc. Top priority is installing the correct starter switch that does not destroy the hour meter, then hyd return filtratrion.

I don't hear much good about the smaller Agrotks. I imagine the price should be dropping to $4K or so in the US, at auction sites. The next monthly auction in Sacramento has 44 new Chinese excavators at this time. I have not seen inside of any of the Agrotks yet.

 

[dfkrug]

BTW the Diggit EM15 I showed above had no hyd oil return filtration and no hour meter at all.

 

[jaylast]

Here is the mini-X a friend just got, a Diggit EM15.

Interesting machine. It has a 43" wide blade, and it is 64" long, from tip of blade to end of track. The tracks look to be a bit longer than my XN08. I will post the track size later.

The boom is offset to the right a few inches, and there is no counterweight. Both are surprises. Sadly, no hyd oil filtration I can see. I suspect the weight is still about a ton despite slightly larger size, since there is no counterweight.

The biggest and most significant difference is the servo controls. They are hydraulic, not electric. Operation seems a bit smoother than the non-servo units I have driven.

More pix coming.

View attachment 807632

Post 527. I didn't notice purchase place or price?
I like the open floor on these, and the piloted controls.

Nuoman (possible manufacturer) makes a very similar version NE15 that is 43" wide 1.5t zero tail and pilot controls. I'm seeing about 4k fob to their port for it.

Btw, I just found an AGT manual and Nuoman is named in it like a manufacturer

 

[jaylast]

AGT 1 ton Mini & Small Excavator KOOP Gasoline Engine For Sale| AGT-L12

Looking for a powerful mini excavator at an unbeatable price? Look no further than the Agrotk 1-ton mini excavator, available exclusively on our online store! working video： At Agrotk, we're committed to providing our customers with the best possible value, which is why we're offering our Agrotk...

agrotkindustrial.com

Agro L12 Manual with 'parts breakdown'
Link is pdf at bottom
_____________________
and here are the latest nuoman ne15 stats I think

 

[jaylast]

I don't hear much good about the smaller Agrotks. I imagine the price should be dropping to $4K or so in the US, at auction sites.

They seem acceptable for the price I guess. Just friday here in PA I saw some go for about 4400 to 4600, plus fees, plus transport. They are also the older style tho with more mods needed including just to ventilate.
Newest style I can find has a flip up back lid, better airflow and I even found a pic with included oil cooler! Currently best price I see is 5.9k /BO delivered from fleabay

////edit PS
I am getting specifics from a few manufacturers. Seems it's not all that beneficial to deal direct with loongsheen nor rippa for a single unit.

Anyway, I found this 1.2t ("w12") that has the most modern open floor and side joystick controls in the smallest package. A weird canopy design, but besides that I think the open floor would be great and also allow to possibly add some pegs/pedals to the travel sticks easily.
My question is that of the hydraulics. Apparently they cannot or are unwilling to offer pilot controls even though the entire design is that of the larger models that do offer it in the other brands.
They do offer a 'double pump' though +210.

Should I assume there is still some benefit to adding the split "double" pump such as in the diggit to the older fully mechanical control system?
Thanks for any input, I appreciate being able to share and utilize this thread!

 

[dfkrug]

The Diggit EM15 was $5200 locally, at the big monthly Sacramento auction. They have 44 new Chinese minis for sale next week. Ginna be hard to beat what these go for, unless the seller uses a secret reserve.

A dual pump would only be of value if you have 2 independent valve stacks. So I can't see using one for a single directly-controlled 8-spool stack. The Diggit was a larger pump of unknown size, but used a flow divider to run the servos separately from the other directly-controlled valves in the 8-spool stack.

The Diggit build quality is only fair, tho better than the Oking units. The Rhino units so far (XN08) seem to be the best built. Rhino is huge factory, and not so likely to do-it-your-way.

 

[jaylast]

The Diggit EM15 was $5200 locally, at the big monthly Sacramento auction. They have 44 new Chinese minis for sale next week. Ginna be hard to beat what these go for, unless the seller uses a secret reserve.

A dual pump would only be of value if you have 2 independent valve stacks. So I can't see using one for a single directly-controlled 8-spool stack. The Diggit was a larger pump of unknown size, but used a flow divider to run the servos separately from the other directly-controlled valves in the 8-spool stack.

The Diggit build quality is only fair, tho better than the Oking units. The Rhino units so far (XN08) seem to be the best built. Rhino is huge factory, and not so likely to do-it-your-way.

Thanks man, lots of information to learn for sure.

Have some of the main (or best) manufacturers been narrowed down?

I just keep seeing the same repeated designs from 'manufacturer' to manufacturer - the only way I've been able to narrow it down is to find the company's actual corresponding website and compare specs of what I'm being quoted.
hightop vote loongsheen nuoman digga, seem subpar/incomplete/or just copy. and the list just goes on and on. Rhino's site doesn't even have much on it for reference.

So far: Rippa and LeKing (imo) offer the most accurate and complete info on what they are selling that often seems to be duplicated/resold by many others. I've found like 4 brands seeming to source/copy from Leking including 'nuoman'

What is the opinion of their sites and specs?

LeKing my fav for 13 and 18 models
leking.net/product/
Rippa has standard hard pipe and also thumb control on side console for ndi322
rippaexcavator.com/ndi322-1ton-mini-excavator.html#
(personally I'm aiming towards ~1.5t 'zero tail' with open style cockpit/ pilot control, largest footprint, and possible d722 motor.)

What are the other major brands available to import that I'm missing? (besides xcmg and sany of course)

 

[dfkrug]

Thanks man, lots of information to learn for sure.

There is no "best" or "biggest" that I can tell for sure. But going to the source website will be a good indicator of factory size, and some other details. Sadly, good technical details are hard to find. Specs are often wrong, too.

 

[TimberFarm]

Thanks man, lots of information to learn for sure.

Have some of the main (or best) manufacturers been narrowed down?

I just keep seeing the same repeated designs from 'manufacturer' to manufacturer - the only way I've been able to narrow it down is to find the company's actual corresponding website and compare specs of what I'm being quoted.
hightop vote loongsheen nuoman digga, seem subpar/incomplete/or just copy. and the list just goes on and on. Rhino's site doesn't even have much on it for reference.

So far: Rippa and LeKing (imo) offer the most accurate and complete info on what they are selling that often seems to be duplicated/resold by many others. I've found like 4 brands seeming to source/copy from Leking including 'nuoman'

What is the opinion of their sites and specs?

LeKing my fav for 13 and 18 models
leking.net/product/
Rippa has standard hard pipe and also thumb control on side console for ndi322
rippaexcavator.com/ndi322-1ton-mini-excavator.html#
(personally I'm aiming towards ~1.5t 'zero tail' with open style cockpit/ pilot control, largest footprint, and possible d722 motor.)

What are the other major brands available to import that I'm missing? (besides xcmg and sany of course)

You can not self import Sany or XCMG (add Sunward) because they have a US dealer network.

 

[jaylast]

You can not self import Sany or XCMG (add Sunward) because they have a US dealer network.

Correct. Maybe gray market but that's besides the point, theyve achieved a full presence (and price)

Photoshop is also RAMPANT on these sellers' pages even copying from one to another.
And if you find their youtube channel it's all weird little clips. With no detail or detail is in chinese with no subs.
I'm pretty simple but am amazed they don't attempt better marketing aimed at english speaking markets.
I think agt and similar has the lowest market tier handled ok, but there is a big gap between them and 1-3+ton name brand machines. I see no need for the full dealer network - just a decent manual and and at least TRY a parts diagram
At least to my simple mind these newer zero tails and upgraded hydraulics are pretty acceptable at less than half or maybe a third of name brand.
For instance- pretty nice machine. Can now find 1.5 to 2t similar with kubota for about 12k all in

 

[Agitator]

Possibly dumb question: I started using my new HT-15 (1.5 ton unit bought off of Ebay), and the engine wants to stall out VERY easily - and the hydraulics really seem to lack power. I put a trenching bucket (8" wide) on and in digging through 6" of packed dirt it was a battle to get it moving. It's not an "all the time" thing, but it's pretty surprising. This has the B&S 13 HP engine and is a new machine. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dfkrug]

....the engine wants to stall out VERY easily - and the hydraulics really seem to lack power.

The engine needs to run at at least 3000RPM to make enough power not to stall easily, especially when cold.

As for the lack of digging force, it is very likely that the relief pressure is set too low. Most of them are set too low.