Chinese digger recommendations

[Jrasband]

Check out the Rippa R22

 

[nogaltractorguy]

Check out the Rippa R22

I did (online). I like it but I'm not sure it is worth that much more over the AGT NTB45U. I could be wrong. I already owned a Rippa and I was not impressed with their fit and finish. I had to remove the fuel filter it came with as it was starving the machine. It would overheat after 15-30 minutes of use. I installed a fan and removed the rear door and that helped. The side access panels were a real pain to put back on as they appeared to have been forced on. It took me about an hour to put back the right side panel (gas tank side) and I have been working on cars for over 30 years. I know I'm paying Chinese machine dollars but I was expecting a little better. Perhaps I need to adjust my expectations. When I looked at the Storm X2, I noticed that it's the same machine Hauyee sells to other markets, HY25 (I haven't seen it here in the USA). From what I gather, it seems like Huayee is above the Rippa, quality wise. Granted I have never seen a Huayee in person just what I see on YouTube and online. I have a 2021 Mahindra 1626 and that machine has been flawless. I wish they made excavators. Then again the would be selling for triple what Chinese machines sell for. Anyone here owns a Huayee?

 

[nogaltractorguy]

I just bought the Typhon XVII with cab last month. My previous mini was the 1-ton Terror X.

My experience and research before buying the 17 followed a lot of the same things you mention in your post. Unfortunately I found that there is real problems with the imported Chinese excavators having all the things you would want in any one of the minis that are for sale.

It seems if you get one with a good Kubota diesel it often is not easily accessed for maintenance. Or if it is easily accessible that some other feature you might want is not available. Such as a better quality hydraulic pump. Or if it has a great hydraulic system it might not have a good thumb or use the common attachments for the 25mm pins. Cabins may be poorly matched to the excavator or Aircon units if DC may exceed the engines alternator ratings.

Manuals and specifications may be hard, inadequate to find or simply wrong. You can appreciate why some folks go for the dealer imported units that they brand for sale. Those dealers have often specified things to make their brand a better unit.

From my research I will say that the Auction machines are the lowest average quality, AGT is basically in this category.

Good luck on what you decide. You can read about my TT-17 in the Thread I made about it here at the forum.

Cool. I'm going to check out your thread.

 

[TimberFarm]

I bought a 3.5 ton Chinese Jiahe direct. This is the same as the Kimron and Groundhog 40 series being sold in the US. I have been very happy with mine. I got a popup ad a few days ago for the Groundhog and they were selling it for only a few thousand more than what the factory price was when I got mine in Oct. '23. The Kimron was like $10,000 more.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

I bought a 3.5 ton Chinese Jiahe direct. This is the same as the Kimron and Groundhog 40 series being sold in the US. I have been very happy with mine. I got a popup ad a few days ago for the Groundhog and they were selling it for only a few thousand more than what the factory price was when I got mine in Oct. '23. The Kimron was like $10,000 more.

Kymrons are just too expensive for a rebadge and a few upgrades in my opinion. Then again, I haven't looked at them that much, but they seem overpriced. My wife would kick me out if I spent more than 20K.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

This video is one of the reasons why I placed the Huayee as a top contender. Looks well built and almost everything is easily accessible.

 

[MattB4]

The Huayee looks very similar to the TT-17 with a few differences in design (like the battery access) and a smaller Kubota engine, the D722 instead of the D902 for the TT-17/18 or XX models. Be aware that a lot of these mini excavators are not honestly rated for what they weigh. Often a claim of 2-ton means you are getting a 3500lb machine. Some like the Dig Master DM 200 are less than 3000lbs while claiming a 1800Kg operating weight.

If you can afford stepping up to the 3-ton class you will gain a fair bit with operational capability

 

[Carl_NH]

nogaltractorguy - thats a nice video for the Huayee - they also are the mfg of the Terror XIX machine which is very common as Typhoon Terror dont actually make any machines they just sell various brands.

I do agree with your assessment on Huayee as a well built unit, with larger tracks, better execution and attention to detail, and a decent unit for the price. In my opinion, all these 1.8T mini's in the $10-12K range are lacking in the hydraulics with the single gear pump and single speed drives.

If you step up to a Rippa 18 around 18-19Kyou will get rotary piston pumps and much smoother operation and two speed drive's but these features come at an increased cost. Here's a link to an R18Pro on FB in NH Log into Facebook

 

[MattB4]

Just looked at a walk through* of the Rippa-R18. Lot of additional features and upgrades over my TT-17. I see that its engine is turned around as compared to what mine is but access to removing the engine oil filter still looks like it would be a bear. These small zero turn units do not provide much space for engine and operators.

The two speed drive is really a big deal if you can get it in one of these minis.

*

 

[nogaltractorguy]

You guys provide a lot of food for thought. I do my own wrenching so maintenance access is a must. Luckily my shop is detached from the house so my wife and daughter won't hear me cussing the engineers!

 

[nogaltractorguy]

nogaltractorguy - thats a nice video for the Huayee - they also are the mfg of the Terror XIX machine which is very common as Typhoon Terror dont actually make any machines they just sell various brands.

I do agree with your assessment on Huayee as a well built unit, with larger tracks, better execution and attention to detail, and a decent unit for the price. In my opinion, all these 1.8T mini's in the $10-12K range are lacking in the hydraulics with the single gear pump and single speed drives.

If you step up to a Rippa 18 around 18-19Kyou will get rotary piston pumps and much smoother operation and two speed drive's but these features come at an increased cost. Here's a link to an R18Pro on FB in NH Log into Facebook

Nice machine! $9k more than the Huayee. I've been trying to find out what hydraulics and pump the Huayee uses but I haven't found anything on it. I wonder how costly would it be to upgrade the HY.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

The Huayee looks very similar to the TT-17 with a few differences in design (like the battery access) and a smaller Kubota engine, the D722 instead of the D902 for the TT-17/18 or XX models. Be aware that a lot of these mini excavators are not honestly rated for what they weigh. Often a claim of 2-ton means you are getting a 3500lb machine. Some like the Dig Master DM 200 are less than 3000lbs while claiming a 1800Kg operating weight.

If you can afford stepping up to the 3-ton class you will gain a fair bit with operational capability

I noticed that. I don't understand why they inflate the numbers. I don't mind a 3,500lbs. machine as it would be over 1,500lbs. heavier than my previous jerk box.

 

[dfkrug]

Just looked at a walk through* of the Rippa-R18. Lot of additional features and upgrades over my TT-17.

Yeah, some nice features on the Rippa. Plus, the US importer says they will even provide parts and service. I wonder if they spec the pilot controls RV setting and where to put the gauge?

As I mentioned elsewhere, it is great to see a better-designed bucket with real teeth (not the usual backwards cast teeth), tho it is still shallow. Plus, the planetary final drives, tho it looks like they still use quarter inch hoses.

Progress!

 

[Carl_NH]

Nice machine! $9k more than the Huayee. I've been trying to find out what hydraulics and pump the Huayee uses but I haven't found anything on it. I wonder how costly would it be to upgrade the HY.

There are two pumps - one main 20 LPM and one for the pilot controls 7 LPM, which are pretty much the same as the other mini's and these pumps are 3-400 range at most. The varible flow piston pumps and are likely $1K or so, then its all the valving and controls which add more cost. Then the two speed drives, more hoses in the truntable, a beefier slew motor there too.

So it's a lot more than a pump, its a whole lot of parts and beefier construction. IMO, if you plan for personal use and not put 1000 hours a year, the Huayee 1.8T will be sufficient. If you have the resources and want a smoother, more capable machine, then go the 18Pro route, or go with a lighly used brand name machine for $25K.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

There are two pumps - one main 20 LPM and one for the pilot controls 7 LPM, which are pretty much the same as the other mini's and these pumps are 3-400 range at most. The varible flow piston pumps and are likely $1K or so, then its all the valving and controls which add more cost. Then the two speed drives, more hoses in the truntable, a beefier slew motor there too.

So it's a lot more than a pump, its a whole lot of parts and beefier construction. IMO, if you plan for personal use and not put 1000 hours a year, the Huayee 1.8T will be sufficient. If you have the resources and want a smoother, more capable machine, then go the 18Pro route, or go with a lighly used brand name machine for $25K.

You are right. I won't put that many hours on it. My tractor which I use a few days a month still has less than 300 hours. Our property sits at 7,300' in elevation and it gets very cold. Summers may reach 90. A heated/cooled cab would be nice but not necessary as we do get breaks in the weather with pleasant days to work on an open station machine. The HY18 still looks like it will be my choice. I got a killer offer from an eBay seller for a TT XVIII for around $9k delivered. I just see lots of cussing when doing maintenance as the back door is tiny. It looks like a good machine though.

 

[MattB4]

Yeah, some nice features on the Rippa. Plus, the US importer says they will even provide parts and service. I wonder if they spec the pilot controls RV setting and where to put the gauge?

As I mentioned elsewhere, it is great to see a better-designed bucket with real teeth (not the usual backwards cast teeth), tho it is still shallow. Plus, the planetary final drives, tho it looks like they still use quarter inch hoses.

Progress!

It is funny but in some case these Chinese companies do not seem to think through the entire design. They just add something if it helps sales or if a part is more available than another.

Hard to find specs for the various items since who knows what was put in this week? Your Mini Ex may have an entirely different hydraulic pump than another person same model mini ex.

 

[Carl_NH]

You are right. I won't put that many hours on it. My tractor which I use a few days a month still has less than 300 hours. Our property sits at 7,300' in elevation and it gets very cold. Summers may reach 90. A heated/cooled cab would be nice but not necessary as we do get breaks in the weather with pleasant days to work on an open station machine. The HY18 still looks like it will be my choice. I got a killer offer from an eBay seller for a TT XVIII for around $9k delivered. I just see lots of cussing when doing maintenance as the back door is tiny. It looks like a good machine though.

For the XVIII at $9K thats a great deal - and the side panels do provide access too - and the top below the seat on the TT XVIII - they made refinements since I got mine over a year ago which is good. The Huayee is a bit more refined I agree, but I dont think its worth $3K more honestly.

The Terror XIX is the same as Huayee 18 but has a 902 Diesel, and the 230MM tracks and they are on the TT web site for $14K then a 10% discount.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

For the XVIII at $9K thats a great deal - and the side panels do provide access too - and the top below the seat on the TT XVIII - they made refinements since I got mine over a year ago which is good. The Huayee is a bit more refined I agree, but I dont think its worth $3K more honestly.

The Terror XIX is the same as Huayee 18 but has a 902 Diesel, and the 230MM tracks and they are on the TT web site for $14K then a 10% discount.

Had not noticed the TT XIX being he same as the HY18 but with a D902. The XIX is $4,600 more than the HY18. For a little more I can get an X2, which is what I want, if my wife agrees, otherwise it will more than likely be the HY18.

 

[MattB4]

Incidentally if you do get a mini be careful of some of the attachments out there. Even if you get the same pin diameter (25 mm is common) the span distance and the pin center to center distance can be off and thus making it difficult to fit. The pin CTC really comes into play if using the spring loaded quick hitch. It will not close if it is setup for a 90mm CTC and you get an attachment with 85 or 88mm CTC pin spacing.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

Incidentally if you do get a mini be careful of some of the attachments out there. Even if you get the same pin diameter (25 mm is common) the span distance and the pin center to center distance can be off and thus making it difficult to fit. The pin CTC really comes into play if using the spring loaded quick hitch. It will not close if it is setup for a 90mm CTC and you get an attachment with 85 or 88mm CTC pin spacing.

That is one thing I have been looking at. From the looks of it there isn't a real standard. Initially I looked on the CTC for HY18 and saw it is 3.5 x 3.5. One way to remedy that is to buy the same manufacturers attachments but that can get pricey.