FF13 mini excavator mods

[bc1]

Hello guys. Got a FF13 mini excavator with the 13.5 hp Briggs and Stratton XR engine with EPA certification stickers. Long story but I bid on 2 excavators and won both on govplanet run by Ritchie Brothers. Just sold the FF15R to a friend for 5 grand.

I've read through the long threads here on mods but some is confusing, buried deep, or different than mine.

I want to run a pressure check and set the hydraulic relief valve on the hydraulic control manifold. Bot on Amazon a 5000# guage and adapter for 1/4" female npt to a male M14x1.5 to go on the end of the auxiliary hoses on the boom think they were 1/4" hose. Didn't work as the female swivel end of the hose also has a male insert with oring to fit inside of the male end of the adapter.

FYI I already unbolted the manifold cover and the joystick rubbers so I could lift it up enough to tightened down the relief valve setting just over one turn.

Figured out on the hoses on the boom it is a Din 2353 metric fitting where all the ends are a combination of male and female with oring.

Now I'm not sure what size hose it is and where I can quickly get an adapter.

The hose is labeled TS20-04 DN6. The -04 led me to believe it was a 1/4" hose but the DN6 suggests it is a 3/8" hose.

Thanks for the help and I got other questions and suggestions as well.

 

[1hp]

try these guys:

5007L | DIN Light Duty X Male NPT | Hydraulics Direct

This category showcases a wide array of DIN hydraulic fittings and adapters crafted to meet the exacting German engineering standards known for their exceptional quality reliability and performance The assortment includes extra light light and heavy-duty versions to accommodate diverse

www.hydraulicsdirect.com

 

[bc1]

try these guys:

5007L | DIN Light Duty X Male NPT | Hydraulics Direct

This category showcases a wide array of DIN hydraulic fittings and adapters crafted to meet the exacting German engineering standards known for their exceptional quality reliability and performance The assortment includes extra light light and heavy-duty versions to accommodate diverse

www.hydraulicsdirect.com

Thanks. I believe that fitting would work along with a double female npt coupler to screw in a guage.

I had to go to Wichita yesterday to the VA and stopped at Austin Hose. Ended up buying to adapters to get to the guage fitting for a total of 20 bux. It was DIN 2353 L (Light) metric 14x1.5 thread with an item number of AD8MDL-6MJ. The AD8 part stands for a 8mm fitting and the MDL stands for male DIN light. The 6MJ part stood for a typical number 6 male JIC 37 degree to match up to the 2nd adapter to get over to a 1/4" female npt thread on the guage. The second part number was a AD4FP-6FXJ.

The hose with the TS20-04 means the -04 part is a 1/4" hose. The DN6 just identifies the hose as the 6.4 mm equivalent and equal to 1/4".

The options for DIN 2353 are Light (L) or Heavy (H). Was advised these mini excavators use the light connectors. Without a pic of the fitting he said it could be a M12x1.5 or a M14x1.5. The M stands for metric thread. Based upon what I've read here I got the M14x1.5. Will find out today if that is it. The equivalent Gates ID number for that half of a fitting is 4G-8MDL.

Finally I discussed with them I was hooking up a guage to check pressures and from what I read here the pumps were rated at 2500 psi with a fail rating around 4500 psi. In the discussion that ensued, they said I could go up to 3000 psi easily. I could run it all the way up to 4200 but the closer I got then fittings would start leaking. Will see how it goes today.

 

[bc1]

Also I'm looking at buying the auger attachment and the 8" bucket from Aliexpress. They are listed as in stock in the USA.

Recall reading a couple people have bot from them with good luck but also saw some other mention of the credit cards getting hacked later on.

The actual nomenclature would be the 300mm (12") auger and the 200mn (7.9") bucket.

Before pulling the trigger, I just want to ask and double check to see if they are legit. I would use a card that has no other charges on it so if it got hacked it could easily be shut down and replaced. Thanks

 

[bc1]

Thanks. I believe that fitting would work along with a double female npt coupler to screw in a guage.

I had to go to Wichita yesterday to the VA and stopped at Austin Hose. Ended up buying to adapters to get to the guage fitting for a total of 20 bux. It was DIN 2353 L (Light) metric 14x1.5 thread with an item number of AD8MDL-6MJ. The AD8 part stands for a 8mm fitting and the MDL stands for male DIN light. The 6MJ part stood for a typical number 6 male JIC 37 degree to match up to the 2nd adapter to get over to a 1/4" female npt thread on the guage. The second part number was a AD4FP-6FXJ.

The hose with the TS20-04 means the -04 part is a 1/4" hose. The DN6 just identifies the hose as the 6.4 mm equivalent and equal to 1/4".

The options for DIN 2353 are Light (L) or Heavy (H). Was advised these mini excavators use the light connectors. Without a pic of the fitting he said it could be a M12x1.5 or a M14x1.5. The M stands for metric thread. Based upon what I've read here I got the M14x1.5. Will find out today if that is it. The equivalent Gates ID number for that half of a fitting is 4G-8MDL.

Finally I discussed with them I was hooking up a guage to check pressures and from what I read here the pumps were rated at 2500 psi with a fail rating around 4500 psi. In the discussion that ensued, they said I could go up to 3000 psi easily. I could run it all the way up to 4200 but the closer I got then fittings would start leaking. Will see how it goes today.

Followup on the adapter. Didn't notice from one side but the auxiliary hoses are 5/16" so it didn't work. Those hoses were a TS22-05 and DN8. DN8 for 8mm. It would take the M16x1.5 fitting for that hose.

However I took off one side of the stick cylinder hose to add the guage. I had already screwed in the relief valve at the manifold with a #5 metric Allen wrench one full turn and it was reading right at 3000 psi. A half turn more got it to 3250. Another half turn got it to 3550 psi. Left it at that for now to see how it does

Then dug about 11 feet of trench in hard clay about 39" deep in the 1.5 hours that the 1.75 gallon gas tank lasted. I'm still learning the trenching methods so I'm happy with the excavator. The gas break was about right as well. No way I want to put gas in over the top of a hot engine. That engine is a gas hog. I use a HF electric pump to add gas to avoid spilling.

 

[MattB4]

Also I'm looking at buying the auger attachment and the 8" bucket from Aliexpress. They are listed as in stock in the USA.

Recall reading a couple people have bot from them with good luck but also saw some other mention of the credit cards getting hacked later on.

The actual nomenclature would be the 300mm (12") auger and the 200mn (7.9") bucket.

Before pulling the trigger, I just want to ask and double check to see if they are legit. I would use a card that has no other charges on it so if it got hacked it could easily be shut down and replaced. Thanks

Aliexpress would handle the payment so the individual company would not have your CC information. If you are still concerned you can set a virtual CC good for one purchase. These can be made at your CC website.

 

[bc1]

Aliexpress would handle the payment so the individual company would not have your CC information. If you are still concerned you can set a virtual CC good for one purchase. These can be made at your CC website.

I ordered an auger from Aliexpress. Used PayPal. Will see how it goes. First I've heard of a virtual card. Will check that out. Thanks.

 

[bc1]

Received my 150mm auger today. 88 pounds worth in a plywood box. Ordered it Friday night for $352.25 that included tax. Shipping notice came on Monday evening and fed ex ground picked it up from Pasadena, TX. Got to Kansas today on Thursday.

Definitely a heavy duty model like used with a Bobcat. Motor must weigh 50 lbs with a 1.75" shaft. Auger point screws into the bottom of the auger. I couldn't lift it all together. Came with two 5' quarter inch din 6 hoses. Uses a male M18x1.5 Oring boss fitting going into the Motor. However my ff13 has 5/16" din 8 hoses so I have to order a couple adapters and probably should get quick connectors.

 

[bc1]

Got my 8" bucket yesterday. Measures 8" wide on those wings on the side and 7" wide for the interior of the bucket. Haven't tried it yet. Cost 151 bux with PayPal. Shipping notice prepared in Ontario, CA but shipped from the exact same rented warehouse dock the auger came from. The auger shipping notice came from the dock in Pasadena, TX.

Had a duh moment yesterday. Always thought the engine didn't sound like it was running right but was busy with other things. Looked at it yesterday and it has the predator engine style carb, choke, and fuel shutoff. The choke cable was just looped around the end of the choke lever and it wasn't fully opening so it was running on about 1/3 choke. Adjusted that and it runs great and digs a lot better. Duh.

Haven't tried the auger but got the rest of the hydraulic fittings needed yesterday from discount hydraulics. My ff13 has 5/16" hose and the auger comes with 1/4" hoses. Figured out it needed quick connects to avoid losing fluid all the time. Looked around and decided to upsize to 1/2" ag style 5730 poppet style connectors. Plan to put the female ones on the machine.

 

[bc1]

Been multi tasking but got back to digging yesterday for an hour then it died so I took a break. Tank half full and it wouldn't start but it would try to fire. Got worried I may need to access the battery to charge it.

Tried to take the side panel off but it didn't come loose and it was holding the cab up.

Took the 3 bolts out holding the floor plate but the cab was sitting on top of it on both sides. Took out the 2 front cab bolts, shimmed it up and could slide the plate. Tilted one side up and managed to get it out after cutting off a piece around the hydraulic tank cap. Took a Sawzall and cut the sides of the plate off that were under the cab. Also cut the side of the plate in two pieces so one bolt accesses the battery.

The battery has a front plate that covers half of the positive post. Might have to move the battery and mount back or notch around the positive post as the plate is on top of it.

Today I will see why it won't start. Already pulled the plug and checked for spark. Carb bowl plug showed plenty of fuel flow.