Chinese digger recommendations

[nogaltractorguy]

Hold your horses! I found a brand I had never heard of, Anakuma. Their Badger 22DS seems pretty legit. They have other machines and looking a the 18DR, it looks exactly like the Huayee HY18 but it is has expanding tracks and the Huayee does not.

 

[Jrasband]

Expandable tracks are not great in my opinion. I am constantly having to lift my machine and switch the valve to push the tracks back out, cause there constantly getting pushed in. Unless you plan on hogging out a lot of basements and need to get through the door, I would not recommend them.

 

[Carl_NH]

The Anakuma 18DR is the same as the TT XIX or the Huayee 18 - just has expanding tracks and not worth the premium they are selling at $20K for the similar machine! 18DR - Mini Excavator - anakuma

 

[nogaltractorguy]

The Anakuma 18DR is the same as the TT XIX or the Huayee 18 - just has expanding tracks and not worth the premium they are selling at $20K for the similar machine! 18DR - Mini Excavator - anakuma

About the only Anakuma machine I would be interested is the 22DS. No way I would pay $20K for the 18DR being the same (mostly) as the HY18. In your opinions, is the Terror X2 with a cab a good purchase? Seems to be also made by Huayee.

 

[Carl_NH]

I can't speak to the TT X2 - but the claim is 2500KG Op weight, so figure its 2200KG or 4500 Lbs. or 1000Lb heaver than the HY 18 or TT XVIII. But also you are best part of $18-19K is time for pause. TYPHON TERROR X2 STORM Mini Excavator 2.5 Ton Diesel Kubota V1505 25HP Engine US | eBay

I dont know who makes the X2 as nothing on the Huayee site has that size machine. Also the track design is a bit unconventional but it may be fine!

At the end of the day, $18.5K for a X2 with heat and AC is a decent deal, if you need a bigger machine

 

[MattB4]

... is the Terror X2 with a cab a good purchase? Seems to be also made by Huayee.

Just looking at it it has some nice features. I notice that the price is about $19k on Ebay for the cab model with Aircon. It does not list 2 speed travel but it does have faster travel of 3.4kmh versus my TT-17 at 2.1kmh. Hard to see how much space is in the cab for the operator but that it looks better from cursory glance.

Larger Kubota engine and near 6000lbs should make for more capable machine. I like how open the engine is from this image of the compartment.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

I can't speak to the TT X2 - but the claim is 2500KG Op weight, so figure its 2200KG or 4500 Lbs. or 1000Lb heaver than the HY 18 or TT XVIII. But also you are best part of $18-19K is time for pause. TYPHON TERROR X2 STORM Mini Excavator 2.5 Ton Diesel Kubota V1505 25HP Engine US | eBay

I dont know who makes the X2 as nothing on the Huayee site has that size machine. Also the track design is a bit unconventional but it may be fine!

At the end of the day, $18.5K for a X2 with heat and AC is a decent deal, if you need a bigger machine

I found the Huayee equivalent model on their main Chinese website. It is the HY25.

HY25 mini excavator for sale-small excavator-Shandong HUAYEE Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd.

HUAYEE mini excavator manufacturing factory 1 ton-10 ton mini excavator for sale, China mini excavator manufacturer,small excavator prices, 2.5 ton Mini Digger.Looking for agents worldwide.Parameter Operating Weight 2500 kg Bucket Capacity 0.07 m³ Chassis Ground...

www.huayee.com

 

[nogaltractorguy]

Just looking at it it has some nice features. I notice that the price is about $19k on Ebay for the cab model with Aircon. It does not list 2 speed travel but it does have faster travel of 3.4kmh versus my TT-17 at 2.1kmh. Hard to see how much space is in the cab for the operator but that it looks better from cursory glance.

Larger Kubota engine and near 6000lbs should make for more capable machine. I like how open the engine is from this image of the compartment.

If I were to buy it I would offer less to see if they sell it. Maybe $18k out the door. Seems like a decent machine for the price. I ok just wish the tracks were wider and longer.

 

[Carl_NH]

Yes agreed - make an offer on ebay and also the attachments are more $ and different pin sizes and connection dimensions than the smaller machines.

So get the attachments now in a package - like a Hyd QA (or mechanical), 36 or 40" Tilting bucket, a smaller digging bucket and what ever else you think you want.

I got the auger too, but would not again as it's heavy, hard to store, doesn't have the power to get thru /around rocks as the main issue.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

Yes agreed - make an offer on ebay and also the attachments are more $ and different pin sizes and connection dimensions than the smaller machines.

So get the attachments now in a package - like a Hyd QA (or mechanical), 36 or 40" Tilting bucket, a smaller digging bucket and what ever else you think you want.

I got the auger too, but would not again as it's heavy, hard to store, doesn't have the power to get thru /around rocks as the main issue.

Our soil type is very rocky. My post how digger attachment is useless. You mean to tell me that the auger will be the same. Bummer. I thought that it work much better by applying pressure with excavator. My ideal attachment package would be a tilting bucket, QA, trenching bucket, auger and hammer.

 

[MattB4]

I have only used my auger twice so far. It has the 150mm or 6 inch bit. Worked great for the first hole but in the second about 1.5 ft down it ran into a big enough rock it could not go further. I bought it for less than $400 off Ebay and it may or may not be worth it. I think it all depends on your ground and how many times you might want to set a post without the big hole of digging out with the excavator bucket.

Biggest issue with storage I can think of is leaking hydraulic lines until I figure out a quick connect arrangement. I have some coming next week that I think will handle the flow.

The one attachment I really find worthwhile for me is the largest possible cleanout bucket without teeth. I have an 800mm (31 inch) one but I would not have minded getting a 1000mm.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

I have only used my auger twice so far. It has the 150mm or 6 inch bit. Worked great for the first hole but in the second about 1.5 ft down it ran into a big enough rock it could not go further. I bought it for less than $400 off Ebay and it may or may not be worth it. I think it all depends on your ground and how many times you might want to set a post without the big hole of digging out with the excavator bucket.

Biggest issue with storage I can think of is leaking hydraulic lines until I figure out a quick connect arrangement. I have some coming next week that I think will handle the flow.

The one attachment I really find worthwhile for me is the largest possible cleanout bucket without teeth. I have an 800mm (31 inch) one but I would not have minded getting a 1000mm.

In my case I think a tilting bucket will be the most used attachment besides the standard digging bucket. For most earth work (moving dumping, etc.) I use my tractor. I sent an email inquiry to Anakuma but they haven't replied. I wonder if they are still in business.

 

[TexTrctr]

I'm late to catching up to this thread again, but I wanted to reinforce what MattB4 said about pin configuration in #259. I bought a MiniX in January and also, separately, bought a BUNCH of attachments as I was concerned about what was coming with tariffs. Unfortunately, my wife had some medical issues which kept us busy for several months so I only tried and used a couple of the attachments. This week I tried to mount the 600mm tilt bucket on the machine and the pin would not clear the locking lug on the spring loaded quick attachment. After some cussing and messing around I measured the pin centers and found the bucket was about 84mm, while the QA was 89mm, consistent with the rest of the implements I have.
As Matt stated, just because they are 25mm pins it doesn't mean the center-to-center distance is the same.
Lesson learned; check out the stated measurements closely before you buy and check them again when you get the hardware.

 

[Jrasband]

If you have rocky soil consider not getting anything smaller than a 3 ton machine, definitely no smaller than 2.5. My 2 ton can barely do anything in very rocky soil.

 

[Carl_NH]

As I have stated before, the hydraulic systems on these mini's is marginal unless you get into the rotary piston pump with variable vanes and valving that is needed to run the higher GPM.

The 1.8T diesel mini is 20LPM and 7 LMP pilot controls - this will get you a digging force around 3000 lbs, and an auger that digs holes in "good soil" but not rocks.

The TT X2 you are looking at has a flow rate of 35 LPM which is marginally better, and not anywhere near what need for a 2.5T machine.

For example the RIppa 18Pro with the variable displacement pump and two speed tracks is around 45 LPM and the R22 Pro is 65 LPM. The R18 is $18K and the R22 is $23K range and I am not endorsing Rippa - just pointing out hydraulics are what make these machines work.

So you need to look at Hydraulics and Systems FIRST as that is what makes the mini work best, and if you want performance and smooth operation, get a better machine with the variable pumps and controls.

Otherwise get the 1.8T gear pump TT XVIII or Huayee 18 and they will dig and do a lot, but not as much as you may want.

 

[MattB4]

I'm late to catching up to this thread again, but I wanted to reinforce what MattB4 said about pin configuration in #259. I bought a MiniX in January and also, separately, bought a BUNCH of attachments as I was concerned about what was coming with tariffs. Unfortunately, my wife had some medical issues which kept us busy for several months so I only tried and used a couple of the attachments. This week I tried to mount the 600mm tilt bucket on the machine and the pin would not clear the locking lug on the spring loaded quick attachment. After some cussing and messing around I measured the pin centers and found the bucket was about 84mm, while the QA was 89mm, consistent with the rest of the implements I have.
...

Bit of a hack but some of the bolt style quick connect hitches have the correct 90mm CTC spacing for the spring loaded quick hitch to grab. Because they tighten with bolt and rising C hook you can fit the smaller CTC of an attachment. Recently the bolt style have been all over Ebay in the $70 range.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

If you have rocky soil consider not getting anything smaller than a 3 ton machine, definitely no smaller than 2.5. My 2 ton can barely do anything in very rocky soil.

The previous 1 ton mini ex I had, the Tippa (Rippa) was very light weight and underpowered, but I was able to dig. Not fast or pretty but it did it. Anything that is bigger and heavier will be much better. But yes, I would like something in that range.

 

[TexTrctr]

In response to Matt's comment; thats a thought on using the bolt style QC (of which I actually have one). I also thought of cutting the ears and base off of a cheap ripper that has the correct spacing and replacing the ones on the tilt bucket with some cutting and welding. In the meantime, I'm trying to see if the seller will send me a pivot assy. with the correct ears to replace the one that is "wrong". I'm not optimistic I will be successful.

 

[caver]

I've heard this one works well....

 

[nogaltractorguy]

About to pull the trigger on a Huayee HY18. I contacted them through their website and got them to issue two separate invoices so I can pay with two different credit cards. They matched the lowest TEMU price and includes free shipping. I don’t want to charge it on just one credit card as it will lower my credit score. Another reason is that I don’t want to withdraw from my 401K. Right now my investments are doing great and I don’t want to lose on compounding. I think we can pay it off in a few months. What’s holding me is the fact that I have no clue if Huayeeusa.com website is legit and I’m not getting scammed.