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

[dfkrug]

After seeing a video with the frame broken at the cyl mounting area, I have been a little concerned about that area. I did not see a good way to reinforce the frame on my baby digger.

I did not see that video, and I am always looking. Thx for posting that. I wonder how it failed, 2y ago. Looks like it pulled out from too-thin box tubing. And that bent part underneath? I don't even know what that is. Welds look good, as they do on my machine.

I am not concerned, as that is an easy fix if it fails. And I would make it thicker there. Note that some of these small minis have their blades much farther out front. When in doubt, beef it up.

 

[dfkrug]

I would enjoy taking one down to the frame. Is that a crazy idea?

Not at all. I am set up with a crane and a mechanic's pit in my workshop to take off the house on one of these minis. That's the only major system I have not yet been into on mine (house rotation bearing, motor, and distribution valve).

Looks like fun.

 

[MattB4]

Looking at the broken off push blade mounts it would appear that the operator of the machine may have been over loading it. Hydraulics can exert amazing force. The blade down helps prevent excavator tipping while digging but all that force is than put on the link between blade and machine. Even large excavator have cracked the steel of their boom frames during operation.

It does highlight why it doing a blade extension or upping system hydraulic pressure could lead to issues.

Thought it was interesting that there was several of the Agrotk 1-tonners on Auction in Idaho yesterday that went in the $2K range and one that sold at $1980 after buyers premium. If real someone has lost a chunk of change Auctioning them.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Looking at the broken off push blade mounts it would appear that the operator of the machine may have been over loading it. Hydraulics can exert amazing force. The blade down helps prevent excavator tipping while digging but all that force is than put on the link between blade and machine. Even large excavator have cracked the steel of their boom frames during operation.

It does highlight why it doing a blade extension or upping system hydraulic pressure could lead to issues.

Thought it was interesting that there was several of the Agrotk 1-tonners on Auction in Idaho yesterday that went in the $2K range and one that sold at $1980 after buyers premium. If real someone has lost a chunk of change Auctioning them.

the guy that broke the blade mount did a repair that looked good enough to me. He broke it again soon after the repair.
i will try to find pic or vid.

 

[oldrustysteel]

While using the babyhoe today I had a thought that needs the experts consideration.we have some trails are about 1.5 miles long one way and lots of cross trails. The baby ex is painfully slow and has no place to put tools or saw, has, oil etc. I saw a post where dfkrug installed a wheel motor guard on his baby ex. He did a great job and I knew that is something I wanted to do to mine. I think I will add a small hitch so I can pull a small trailer for tools and stuff. Will the wheel motors complain about the extra WORK? Is this a bad idea? It would be so easy to do on my machine. Zoom in on wheel motors and you can see that they are almost asking for a mod.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Not at all. I am set up with a crane and a mechanic's pit in my workshop to take off the house on one of these minis. That's the only major system I have not yet been into on mine (house rotation bearing, motor, and distribution valve).

Looks like fun.

Hey dfkrug, Is there an easy way to tell if my house bearing and gear is getting grease? i cant see the gear or bearing and so i cant confirm the two grease lines are really sending grease where it belongs. i remember seeing a pic in your thread and you could see your gear. did you remove a cover or guard? Thanks for sharing your knowledge and ideas on here. You and Matt and Jaylast and others are a huge help to us newbies.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Looking at the broken off push blade mounts it would appear that the operator of the machine may have been over loading it. Hydraulics can exert amazing force. The blade down helps prevent excavator tipping while digging but all that force is than put on the link between blade and machine. Even large excavator have cracked the steel of their boom frames during operation.

It does highlight why it doing a blade extension or upping system hydraulic pressure could lead to issues.

Thought it was interesting that there was several of the Agrotk 1-tonners on Auction in Idaho yesterday that went in the $2K range and one that sold at $1980 after buyers premium. If real someone has lost a chunk of change Auctioning them.

here is the pic of the repair and it failed. is the weld on top not good enough?

 

[dfkrug]

here is the pic of the repair and it failed. is the weld on top not good enough?

I watched his repair video. I am surprised he broke it. He was using a MIG welder, and the welds clearly did not hold up.

I wonder what he is doing when these break. He says he is on a job site.

If that cross-beam is thin enough to flex, metal fatigue is almost inevitable. I will keep my eye out for any cracks.

 

[dfkrug]

Hey dfkrug, Is there an easy way to tell if my house bearing and gear is getting grease? i cant see the gear or bearing and so i cant confirm the two grease lines are really sending grease where it belongs. i remember seeing a pic in your thread and you could see your gear. did you remove a cover or guard?

On my machine, the ring gear is not fully covered, so I can see part of it. To grease it, you have to fill the 2 hoses with grease before any gets to the gears. I sprayed some aerosol grease directly on the gear. I also had to cut away some of the house body to access the 2 zerks. Clearance was poor.

Good you are checking that.

 

[dfkrug]

I saw a post where dfkrug installed a wheel motor guard on his baby ex. He did a great job and I knew that is something I wanted to do to mine. I think I will add a small hitch so I can pull a small trailer for tools and stuff. Will the wheel motors complain about the extra WORK? Is this a bad idea? It would be so easy to do on my machine. Zoom in on wheel motors and you can see that they are almost asking for a mod.

The wheel motors already get the oil Really Hot. Making them work even harder may not be the best choice. My motor protection bracket only helps with rolling rocks, but I have a big problem with that. It is connected with only 2 bolts, so it will pivot if you stand on it. No easy way I can see to make it stronger.

A small trailer may be the best way to go it you have to drive your mini-X more than a half mile or so.

 

[oldrustysteel]

I watched his repair video. I am surprised he broke it. He was using a MIG welder, and the welds clearly did not hold up.

I wonder what he is doing when these break. He says he is on a job site.

If that cross-beam is thin enough to flex, metal fatigue is almost inevitable. I will keep my eye out for any cracks.

his machine looked really thin in that area when it was first broken. I need to try to get under my frame and check it out. I guess I can dig a pit to get in and look under there.

 

[oldrustysteel]

The wheel motors already get the oil Really Hot. Making them work even harder may not be the best choice. My motor protection bracket only helps with rolling rocks, but I have a big problem with that. It is connected with only 2 bolts, so it will pivot if you stand on it. No easy way I can see to make it stronger.

A small trailer may be the best way to go it you have to drive your mini-X more than a half mile or so.

you are right about the heat. i completely forgot about how hot they get.

 

[MattB4]

here is the pic of the repair and it failed. is the weld on top not good enough?View attachment 838525

When a weld cracks it usually is a sign that it was not good enough. I cannot see it clear enough in the image the exact failure. The stress on the plate for the hydraulic cylinder mount seems to indicate insufficient bracing on the bottom of the plate. It might need beefing up there.

 

[oldrustysteel]

I would like to know everyone's opinion on this, What do you think is the WEAKEST link on your mini~X ? For my L12, I think it is the engine and hydraulic cooling system. Please include your machines model with your weakest link. For me this will be a good way to possibly prevent a failure. Thanks for your input.

 

[MattB4]

Not sure if I would call it the weakest link, but in terms of something I expect to fail fairly easily, both the throttle and the choke controls on my Typhon X. A person has to be darn careful not to break them. I really expect them to need repair even with being careful at some point.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Not sure if I would call it the weakest link, but in terms of something I expect to fail fairly easily, both the throttle and the choke controls on my Typhon X. A person has to be darn careful not to break them. I really expect them to need repair even with being careful at some point.

Did they just drill a hole in the choke lever like most of the ones I see? If so have you made sure the cable actually pulls the choke completely shut. Mine does not so, on the first start of the day I always lift the hood and push the choke another 1/4". Starts immediately. I still haven't changed it, but it's on my list.

 

[MattB4]

I can not get a picture of how it is arranged on my machine due to where it is at. I don't have that nifty fully opening back compartment that yours does.

The choke is slightly different than yours in terms of the cable mount using a simple tension screw fastener instead of a bolt on. Mine does pull to full choke. It is just not smooth and has too much throw to get there. Someone pulling out too hard would likely break it or at some point trying to push in will jam it.

 

[oldrustysteel]

That nifty hood on the back was one of the reasons I picked this model. It is lockable. Another reason is the way the hydraulic lines are run inside the boom. I need all the protection I can get.

 

[oldrustysteel]

Has anyone seen this ripper from AGT? I cant find the price yet.

 

[TripleS]

For anyone looking for attachments, this place seems to have good prices. They are on FBMP. Located in St. Albans West Virginia. I have not dealt with them and have no other info on them.View attachment 837516View attachment 837517
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Have you called this place you posted about the ripper I see he has some rippers