Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[WI-citizen]

I just replaced all the female grease zirks on my AGT DM12-C. There were ten M8x1.0 and eight M10x1.0.

 

[Gasjockey]

Thanks for the info. I will start on those tonight.

 

[WI-citizen]

Thanks for the info. I will start on those tonight.

You may want to check for yourself since it's a different model, mine also has a swing boom with no pilot controls. There were three male zirks I didn't replace too. Also, the cylinders were all M8 and many were weak threads. I suggest tack welding all the zirks on the cylinders.

Here's a service manual for the H12. If anyone has found for other models please post. Starting on page 44 (pdf p.46) is where the BOM starts if you are trying to build a parts manual.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0690/6757/1452/files/H12_operation_manual.pdf?v=1717112724

 

[dfkrug]

You may want to check for yourself since it's a different model, mine also has a swing boom with no pilot controls.

Yes, there are several different kinds of zerks on these machines, plus you will benefit when changing some to angled zerks.

What I would do is remove the zerks you want to change, and measure the thread. Then buy the sizes you need. You can also get a zerk kit that has a variety of sizes.

 

[Bill53]

Hi everyone. I’m new to the site, and joined because of this thread. I’m grateful for finding it be a new owner of a agt lh12r. I’ve definitely already learned a lot after a few days of reading all the posts here. And hope to add some of my own as time goes on

 

[mike0000]

Hi everyone. I’m new to the site, and joined because of this thread. I’m grateful for finding it be a new owner of a agt lh12r. I’ve definitely already learned a lot after a few days of reading all the posts here. And hope to add some of my own as time goes on

Welcome Bill, congrats on the purchase, these little machines are impressive.

 

[Bill53]

Thank you, I definitely have a lot of plans for it. Unfortunately winter is making them wait.

 

[mike0000]

Thank you, I definitely have a lot of plans for it. Unfortunately winter is making them wait.

Yep, I’m in the same situation, mini is tucked away waiting on warmer weather. I want to add a hydraulic oil filter as the next mod/improvement.

 

[Bill53]

I plan on doing the same with a full hydraulic oil change at the same time. I do plan on adding a few attachments over the winter so I’m ready for spring. One thing I do plan on working out over the winter is some sort of quick tach extension for the blade to help stabilize during tougher digging conditions.

 

[dfkrug]

Yep, I’m in the same situation, mini is tucked away waiting on warmer weather. I want to add a hydraulic oil filter as the next mod/improvement.

Opposite here. I need the fall/winter/spring moisture to properly dig and compact. My machine is way up the creek, preparing to grab/pull/cut a bunch of fallen trees and branches for a winter burn pile.

 

[Bill53]

Nice, don’t forget the marshmallows

 

[ADK42]

I’ve been researching these Chinese mini excavators for a few years and finally decided to go for it. I decided I like the specs of the Rippa R13-2 Pro, so I tried contacting Rippa using their contact form and told them exactly what I wanted. Took a few days to get an email reply in which they suggested I needed a different model. I replied “No, I told you the model I want” and asked for more info on the machine and US dealers I could contact …ghosted no reply after days. OK, I tried again this time downloading the WhatsApp app they seem to prefer. Got into a five minute text chain explaining again what I wanted and this time told that model is only sold to dealers and offering another far lower specced model. I asked for a list of US dealers to contact but was ignored again.

Tried another approach, contacted an eBay seller of Rippa machines asking if they could get it. Their reply was one word “yes”, I asked for a price quote and again got no reply.

Is this the normal way these companies communicate with potential customers? Does anyone have any suggestions of a reputable Rippa dealer in the US that will actually reply to me? I’ve been going around and around for over week trying to get an answer but feel like I’m spinning my wheels.

 

[dfkrug]

Is this the normal way these companies communicate with potential customers?

Yeah, pretty much. I am sure there are some better companies to deal with.

The price of theses units, selling every month in the hundreds around the US at auction yards are as low as only $3000 + taxes and fees. That is half of what I paid 6 years ago, dealing directly with a factory in China.

That leaves little room for profit for those who act as dealers. There are probably over 100 "brands" of these imports in the US, and the number of factories in China might be close to that number. Who knows? When buyers find out there is little or no documentation or service, the brand does not last.

Maybe the longest running brand in the US is AgroTK, and they have only been around a few years.

I am a big fan of these machines, but any buyer must be resourceful and handy.

 

[Sonny580]

AGT's around here are $2,600 up now AND auction yards letting them go for that!! Market flooded now and buyers finding the diggers are NOT what they thought they were!!!

 

[2manyrocks]

I have yet to figure out the differences between models on their website. It's like they have 10-12 models on there that seem to use about the same HP gas engine, but have different model numbers and not necessarily the same brand engine.

 

[Carl_NH]

I have yet to figure out the differences between models on their website. It's like they have 10-12 models on there that seem to use about the same HP gas engine, but have different model numbers and not necessarily the same brand engine.

It's at the point of the "Lawn and Garden Mower" where MTD made Cub, JD, Troybilt, Sabre, Craftsman etc, lawn mowers with different colors and options, and engines from B&S etc. made in China. Then the price is heading in that direction too at $2-3000.

So, like the Garden Tractor of the 70's 80's (Cub 1864, John Deere 318 etc.) which then morphed into the Kubota BX / JD 1025 / Max 26.

What's the consensus here on the next generation of Mini Excavators? Do they saturate the market and die, or do they adapt and build more advanced machines?

 

[WI-citizen]

It's at the point of the "Lawn and Garden Mower" where MTD made Cub, JD, Troybilt, Sabre, Craftsman etc, lawn mowers with different colors and options, and engines from B&S etc. made in China. Then the price is heading in that direction too at $2-3000.

So, like the Garden Tractor of the 70's 80's (Cub 1864, John Deere 318 etc.) which then morphed into the Kubota BX / JD 1025 / Max 26.

What's the consensus here on the next generation of Mini Excavators? Do they saturate the market and die, or do they adapt and build more advanced machines?

They don't seem to be slowing down. I think they're trying to push too many at the auctions though. Most people are just starting to learn about them still. YouTube is all the difference because it does all the advertising. The 70s didn't have such a thing and you just bought what the herd was selling.

 

[D'oh]

They don't seem to be slowing down. I think they're trying to push too many at the auctions though. Most people are just starting to learn about them still. YouTube is all the difference because it does all the advertising. The 70s didn't have such a thing and you just bought what the herd was selling.

nd it is January, not much Ground soft enough to dig

 

[Sonny580]

They change a few parts around, give them a different number, a different paint color different motor brand, slap a different model tag decal on them , etc. But its the same unit probably made in the same factory with the same chimineese quality that they are famous for! --- ( the lack of it actually!)

 

[WI-citizen]

I'm wondering if anyone has tried to switch the 3-way diverter with the electronic diverter on the swing boom? I have a AGT DM12-C and want the swing boom to be DCV and the auxiliary to be electronic.