Chinese digger recommendations

[TexTrctr]

They are fine - well built, everything works as it should. The Typhon XVIII is made by Hightop and has the 180MM tracks and Kubota 722 14-15HP engine.

The Typhon XIX is made by Vote, and has 230 MM tracks, and a Kubota 902 16 HP or so engine. Also the XIX has a better fit and finish and has sound insulation in the engine compartment and is more "refined" than the XVIII made by Hightop.

Sum and substance get the XIX machine - you wont be disappointed. This thread over on FB by James Knight goes over the details on the XIX machine. https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kTeoPgjPFQ&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2lDFRyX7yObFuWopZTeWjzzLUwW1f-Aqin2XM6W9z_n1OvfAeJ0byfMWc_aem__Pew13lAg06q_AaLFP0QWw&h=AT222raFNrqyto5mrLLEcdtw9-AaztYwNGkIVMZ3blDDnF2DBoiblRiOarpC0k-jFZ6rYU0CFn9qhTEgt-bsSMM7JlIFDriGdz6ot75LNF1b6yiIeFKfY4IgK50Ub6rs0g&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT1QQCQCROzzWXryzIuM75akqkLeU45QR5P-OKu7aonrhk4iXuSYjBwRhdAwfj2Kce7-t99ZTXcN7jukyJkcmpPKUKuH64FCiviPmrkcI8-h9_6pOnwe-MJAV8bXagC3LegyvUGw4-YlWQ55NojvJLwf4haz3l6PxGfhoce8VDU_WqxDkw

Thanks Carl!
I've spent the last week poring over the posts here and the Facebook site as well as any Youtubes I could get my hands on, including the ones from James Knight.
I guess I'm still a little surprised there aren't more Youtube reviews. The only other ones I saw was from Doyle Equipment.
BTW, I went looking for the motor protectors you mentioned in one of your posts but it appeared that they no longer showed them being available.

 

[Carl_NH]

Honestly, they don't need the motor protectors - they were made for the smaller gas units to prevent the bending of the side rails which on the early machines was an issue. Secondary is the motor protection, which if you are deep in rocks and stumps then they will offer some protection.

The XIX version has a very clean hose/drive motor setup, and these units do not need the support of the frame side rails - its just if you are in rocks and stumps the plate could stop you from hitting the motors.

I wouldnt wait too long - I was looking at the XIX today thinking I might buy it - they want $10K or best offer right now - you can probably get it for $9900 or so. a good deal.

 

[sreeb]

Thanks Carl and Matt for the replies. Matt, what do you think of the Typhon's quality? Next question, is stepping up to a two ton worth the extra $$$$. The biggest things for me is, water cooled Kubota diesel and hydraulic oil cooler not to mention the extra weight should translate to smother more capable machine. My 20k budget on a used machine in the beginning was based on the assumption that I would sell it after got some major work done. Now that I am looking at a new machine that will probably loose half it's value right away my budget has dwindled a bit but I do see the value of having a mini ex on the property full time. At 54, now I like to work a little smarter than I did in the past.lol.
I'll have to take another look at the AGT website but from what I can remember the price of their 1.8-2 ton machines were a bit more than the Typhon.

I expected to sell mine after a year when I bought it. Twelve years later, I still have it and aren't planning to sell....

 

[D'oh]

I expected to sell mine after a year when I bought it. Twelve years later, I still have it and aren't planning to sell....

Yes, everyone talks about "Low Resale" but something that you have so little invested in, why not just keep it?

I am sure my Kids will use it occasionally when I am gone, or even if I sell the Cabin, the next buyer would see some value in it.

I have sold 3 New Auction Pieces, that have basically paid for the 3 that I have. So $0 Investment, Most Parts can be found at Princess Auto/Central Hydraulics/Local Shop/Amazon.

I am still thinking I would like 1 more. Somewhere in between the MP-46 2.5 Ton,(sold) and the JF-12 1.2 Ton. The XIX Typhoon size.

My verdict is still waiting on the Stand On Skids, Tracks vs Wheels, but so far I like my Wheeled SDL380 (40 hrs) more than the Land Hero LDH-T460 Tracked (no real hours)

 

[MattB4]

Yes, everyone talks about "Low Resale" but something that you have so little invested in, why not just keep it?

...

That had been my thought. However with the price coming down on the larger (Mine is a Typhon 1 ton) and better set up units I would like a decent resale price (would need a buyer) so that I could step up and have a diesel powered, pilot controlled, mini excavator.

Back when I bought the gas 1 ton the $6000 I paid was a decent price but now with new diesel powered 2 tons going for $9000 I would choose different.

 

[TexTrctr]

HaHa, the comments on buying something with a plan to resell in a coupla years sounds familiar. That's what I thought when I bought my JD 3025...8 years ago! I don't use it even every week but it has been so handy when I have needed it, I don't see it going anywhere, ever.
Wondered if the MiniEx wouldn't be the same thing.

 

[Carl_NH]

Yes Tex, that very much is the case with me - the Kubota has a BH but the mini now does the lifting and rock moving as the helper into the Kubota bucket. It's handy having these tools or toys as my wife calls them.

Then it's a Post hole auger, a log holder, a crane etc.

 

[2manyrocks]

At least the review of the XIX shows a hydraulic filter where so many "reviews" of other machines totally skirt around there not being one at all on them. IMO, seems really shortsighted to cut corners by not including any hydraulic filtration on these other machines.

 

[TexTrctr]

Well, I finally pulled the trigger on a Typhon XIX from USAExcavator.
Fingers crossed that I have as good an experience with the process as I have I heard from some of you (and other) guys.

 

[Carl_NH]

Yes - 2Manyrocks, these "2 ton diesels" have an 80U (micron) in the tank and a spare too. I put magnets in the tank to collect any filings.

Also interesting is the pump manufacturers indicate the 80U on the inlet is all that is necessary. I guess as long as one changes the fluid these will run for 1000 or so hours.