Chinese digger recommendations

[Carl_NH]

The Typhon XIX appears to be the same as the Huayee HY18. Do you mind telling me how much you paid for the Bull 18x. I’ve looked at them but I’m not sure it is worth that much more over the Huayee or Typhon if purchased at MSRP. Plus they do not ship for free as far as I can tell.

Typhon XIX with 902 Kubota is the same as the HY18C with 902 engine. The BULL18X appears to be a Hightop with upgraded pumps and expandable tracks, and 2 speed drive motors. These options are worth $2K more maybe.

 

[MattB4]

Found a video review about the Bull18X. Some interesting improvements (protected drive motors, 2 speed and Parker pump) and it does come with some additional attachments standard. Like Carl-NH I am not sure the price increase over similar 2-ton models is worthwhile.

 

[TexTrctr]

"nogal.." , to answer your question, I payed full advertised price and it was pretty local to me so the shipping was not an issue. They do not have free shipping. The unit came with the attached 17 inch toothed bucket, trenching bucket, ripper and a 40 inch mud bucket. The "free" buckets were just ok quality compared to the ones I already had.

Since Bull has a brick-and-mortar store-front, and they have a 2 year warranty, I am hopeful that any parts/warranty issues will be able to be addressed more easily than having to deal with China. Since they are just startiing up here (although established in Europe), time will tell.

To Matt and Carl, I agree that the 2-speed and X-tracks (and Parker pump) should only be worth a couple of grand or so...but the reality is, I was not able to find these upgrades in any unit that did not also add at least another 6 grand (over the Typhon) and force me to replace all my attachments.

As someone who has actually owned both units, and has a basis for comparison, I'm satisfied with what I got for the extra money...so far.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

The Typhon XIX appears to be the same as the Huayee HY18. Do you mind telling me how much you paid for the Bull 18x. I’ve looked at them but I’m not sure it is worth that much more over the Huayee or Typhon if purchased at MSRP.

"nogal.." , to answer your question, I payed full advertised price and it was pretty local to me so the shipping was not an issue. They do not have free shipping. The unit came with the attached 17 inch toothed bucket, trenching bucket, ripper and a 40 inch mud bucket. The "free" buckets were just ok quality compared to the ones I already had.

Since Bull has a brick-and-mortar store-front, and they have a 2 year warranty, I am hopeful that any parts/warranty issues will be able to be addressed more easily than having to deal with China. Since they are just startiing up here (although established in Europe), time will tell.

To Matt and Carl, I agree that the 2-speed and X-tracks (and Parker pump) should only be worth a couple of grand or so...but the reality is, I was not able to find these upgrades in any unit that did not also add at least another 6 grand (over the Typhon) and force me to replace all my attachments.

As someone who has actually owned both units, and has a basis for comparison, I'm satisfied with what I got for the extra money...so far.

Thanks for answering.

 

[Carl_NH]

nogaltractor - is this the unit you are looking at on TEMU 1.8 ton mini excavator diesel engine 18 2 us spot - Temu

Not sure if this has the Kubota 722 or 902 but looks very similar to the XIX, Finally, really think about the next 20+ years, do you really want a larger unit like the 2.5 ton Terror X2 (made by Huayee) for $20K? Yes the attachements are bigger, more $$ but for what you will need to do will the smaller machine tick all the boxes? if not go bigger.

I have the Kubota TLB which is my go to for almost every project, unless its dedicated trenching or similar work where the Mini does it better. My Kubota has 3500Lbs digging force, which is more than the Terror XVIII - by about 300 lbs, But the mini does rocks and digging better.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

nogaltractor - is this the unit you are looking at on TEMU 1.8 ton mini excavator diesel engine 18 2 us spot - Temu

Not sure if this has the Kubota 722 or 902 but looks very similar to the XIX, Finally, really think about the next 20+ years, do you really want a larger unit like the 2.5 ton Terror X2 (made by Huayee) for $20K? Yes the attachements are bigger, more $$ but for what you will need to do will the smaller machine tick all the boxes? if not go bigger.

I have the Kubota TLB which is my go to for almost every project, unless its dedicated trenching or similar work where the Mini does it better. My Kubota has 3500Lbs digging force, which is more than the Terror XVIII - by about 300 lbs, But the mini does rocks and digging better.

In all honesty I don’t foresee big projects order than trenches, drainage ditches and landscaping. The pond will be finished by a contractor I usually hire for large projects.

My main requirements are a machine of decent quality, fluid movements, not tippy like my ex mini the Tippa NDI313 (at least much less tippy), good hydraulics, somewhat comfortable and powerful enough to dig without bugging the engine like the previous Tippa Briggs motor.

If you had to choose between the Huayee HY18 and the Rippa R13-2 Pro, which would you pick.

 

[Carl_NH]

Nogaltrator - OK big projects you will hire out - good plan. As far as Hy18B (722 motor) or HY18C (902 motor) or the Rippa 13Pro, the Rippa has 2 speed, expanding tracks are the differences, BUT the bigger issue is weight - its 2500Lbs +-? Weight is your friend when digging and for stability and ride.

So I would favor the Huayee 18B or C model, also I would consider an R18Pro as the upgrade over the Huayee 18B/C model. But that comes at a premium at $17K and this is the lowest I have seen these - so get the Hy18 at 10,500 range delivered is what I would do , Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[nogaltractorguy]

Nogaltrator - OK big projects you will hire out - good plan. As far as Hy18B (722 motor) or HY18C (902 motor) or the Rippa 13Pro, the Rippa has 2 speed, expanding tracks are the differences, BUT the bigger issue is weight - its 2500Lbs +-? Weight is your friend when digging and for stability and ride.

So I would favor the Huayee 18B or C model, also I would consider an R18Pro as the upgrade over the Huayee 18B/C model. But that comes at a premium at $17K and this is the lowest I have seen these - so get the Hy18 at 10,500 range delivered is what I would do , Pardon Our Interruption...

That R18 is nice! Wife gave me a “hell no” face when she saw the price.

 

[MattB4]

I would think the best all around unit for the price at 5000lbs+ is the Typhon Terror XXV. Seller on Ebay has it for just under $18K but allows offers. Don't like the thumb design on it but that could be improved afterwards. Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[nogaltractorguy]

I would think the best all around unit for the price at 5000lbs+ is the Typhon Terror XXV. Seller on Ebay has it for just under $18K but allows offers. Don't like the thumb design on it but that could be improved afterwards. Pardon Our Interruption...

I like how wide and long the tracks are. Agree the thumb looks weak.

 

[Carl_NH]

Yes the Hightop / Terror units thumb is a weak link - I added 2 3x5" 3/8" steel gussets

 

[nogaltractorguy]

This is taking more than I wanted. I got the Huayee guy waiting on me since Friday. We been talking back and forth about the machines, delivery, etc. he is telling me the prices are set to go up in a few days. Not sure if he is just pressuring me out or if it is true. Anyway, I think I’m going to go with the HY18 but looking at the 16c with the same engine and controls, more floor space and similar capacities, I’m wondering if the 18 is worth the extra $2k. The 16c is a little bit lighter and has slightly shorter tracks. Thoughts?

 

[Carl_NH]

Yes get the bigger and heavier machine, the 18 - you wont regret getting wider and longer tracks and more weight

 

[Carl_NH]

Nogalractor - why not buy the HY18B off of Temu for $10,500 to save $1500 for attachments! instead of paying $12,900 to Huayee for the same machine?

Also they have a manual on the HY18B - most of the relevant part is in the last 10-12 pages showing the pins and hoses and sucn.

 

[dfkrug]

Also they have a manual on the HY18B - most of the relevant part is in the last 10-12 pages showing the pins and hoses and sucn.

The manual is certainly one of the biggest ones out there, and I DO want to say that the parts diagrams are helpful.

But. Awful maintenance instructions. e.g. 500 hour interval on diesel engine oil change? Should be 100hr. 1000 hours on hyd return filter, and 2000 hr for hydraulic oil? Change all the hydraulic hoses every 2 years? Come on.

No electrical or hydraulic schematics.

 

[MattB4]

Recently I have noticed Ebay is flooded with buckets and other attachments for these little excavators. Many of the Sellers will accept lower price offers and some are even making offers if you simply have viewed their Ebay ad. Some good bargains exist. Just this morning I received an lower price for a breaker/hammer down from $850 to $810 with free shipping. That was from looking at it the day before out of idle curiosity.

I have no need for a breaker but the price seems good since for awhile these were going for over $1000

As mentioned before make sure the pin and mount dimensions work for you.

 

[dfkrug]

Just this morning I received an lower price for a breaker/hammer down from $850 to $810 with free shipping.

I think we paid about $500 net for the breaker a few years ago, directly from China. It works, but will destroy your very light-duty machine, IMO.

 

[MattB4]

I think we paid about $500 net for the breaker a few years ago, directly from China. It works, but will destroy your very light-duty machine, IMO.

Yeah years ago and when buying with other attachments/excavators direct from China you likely got great prices.

Not saying you are wrong about breakers being hard on the machines but unless you are speaking from personal experience of it wrecking your excavator, or can point to someone with that experience, it sounds like you are just making crap up.

But as I said I have no need of one and my post was not to promote the idea but mostly to point out that a lot of attachments for these minis are freely available right now. No shipping from China necessary.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

Nogalractor - why not buy the HY18B off of Temu for $10,500 to save $1500 for attachments! instead of paying $12,900 to Huayee for the same machine?

Also they have a manual on the HY18B - most of the relevant part is in the last 10-12 pages showing the pins and hoses and sucn.

They were going to give me the same price.

 

[Carl_NH]

They were going to give me the same price.

Excellent, that's awesome, did you order it?