Chinese digger recommendations

[dfkrug]

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.

Yeah, as I said, that is my opinion. Where do I get that? Years of experience with 25mm pins and equipment with 2500 psi hydraulics. Also, my own experience making numerous hydraulic thumbs and other attachments.

I have also rented and used skidsteers with hydraulic breakers, plus I spent a few years looking to buy a used one. Even with 35mm pins, a hydraulic breaker is very hard on all the pivot points of a loader. Cutting out and welding in new pivots is a lot of work. Done a few of those, too.

I will be the first to read any anecdotes I see of someone with some hours with a breaker on a 1-2T mini-X.

...just making crap up here....

 

[Carl_NH]

DF I know you speak from experience! And yes I concur, anything that hammers wears pins and bushings much faster.

 

[TexTrctr]

Maybe you guys have seen some of this before but I ran across this YT video of Jimbo South Dakota using a Kymron XH20 with a jack hammer to break up a an old building entry step, an old tractor tire filled with concrete and a concrete cistern.
I don't have a real need for a jack hammer so never paid any attention to them but after reading some of ya'll's comments, and running across the video, I thought it might be of interest. It is a little long.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

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

Not yet. I was talking to my wife about the third garage and I think that is priority. The funny thing is that if I had the excavator I could work on the garage pad. Also, I may hold off until January so I can buy a larger excavator.

 

[MattB4]

Maybe you guys have seen some of this before but I ran across this YT video of Jimbo South Dakota using a Kymron XH20 with a jack hammer to break up a an old building entry step, an old tractor tire filled with concrete and a concrete cistern.
I don't have a real need for a jack hammer so never paid any attention to them but after reading some of ya'll's comments, and running across the video, I thought it might be of interest. It is a little long.
..

There are several YT videos of folks using the hammers on the 2-ton machines. Like you I have no need for one but I could see the utility of such a thing for use with these throw away little excavators. I took exception to DFKrug because of the tone he takes when replying to my posts. Cliff Clavin style of conversation.

 

[WI-citizen]

Maybe you guys have seen some of this before but I ran across this YT video of Jimbo South Dakota using a Kymron XH20 with a jack hammer to break up a an old building entry step, an old tractor tire filled with concrete and a concrete cistern.
I don't have a real need for a jack hammer so never paid any attention to them but after reading some of ya'll's comments, and running across the video, I thought it might be of interest. It is a little long.

I'm hoping they start selling a stump grinder for the 1-ton. Would be handy and better than digging.

 

[Carl_NH]

I'm hoping they start selling a stump grinder for the 1-ton. Would be handy and better than digging.

Not enough hyd flow at 6 GPM - you would need to get a one of the bigger Mini Skid Steers with higher flow pumps and at least 23HP if not more and an oil cooler etc.

 

[Rich_Z]

I know this is raising a dead thread from the past, but I have recently developed a WANT for a mini excavator. Huayee recently came out with the SHY20 and SHY27 models. Initially I was interested in the SHY20, but when I went to a dealer to look at one, the SHY27 really caught my eye.

Would just like some feedback from an actual user before becoming the first on my block to have one and maybe be pulling the arrows out of my back from walking into uncharted territory.

 

[MoArk Willy]

Well for my two cents.......and it's worth every penny.
I am not familiar with those models or that mfg.
But I recently bought a Typhon X mini, a 1.1 ton and so far so good.
Well made.
The smaller machines have slow traveling speeds but other than that they have full functionality.
I decided I wasn't going to hand shovel anything anymore so I bought one and I'm happy with it.
Looking at the Huayee website, what I have is comparable to their 1 ton machine, pricing is close as well, with some of the features of the 1.4 such as hydraulic thumb and swing boom.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

With January just around the corner, I am revisiting the excavator purchase. I didn’t want to take any money out of our 401k due to tax implications. 2026 being a fresh year I can withdraw without fear of jumping a bracket. I guess it is a good problem to have but I don’t want to give extra dollars to the fed.

Started looking at the Huayee 18b and anything else new on the market and came across the Typhon Tyrant 17 with a plethora of attachments. The machine looks good and seems to have a bigger engine than the Huayee and a wider stance, 45” vs 43”.

Anyone had any experience with the Tyrant 17?

 

[Carl_NH]

The Tyrant 17 looks very close to the Huayee the 18B gets very good ratings too and you can get them from CA or NJ warehouse, or on ebay too. The Tyrant has all the attachments which is about $2K at list but Typhoon will negotiate a deal for these (around $200 each for the buckets and $400 for the auger)

The other machine you should take a look at is the Typhon XIX Storm - has bigger pump, enclosed drive motors with separate rotary pump, expanding tracks, cushion valves on swing/slew motor. So a lot of nice "additions" over the other machines. TYPHON TERROR XIX Mini Excavator 4000lbs Kubota D902 EPA Superior Hydraulics New | eBay

I would say the XIX Storm is closer to the Huayee Pro series SHY20, but not quite, as the SHY20 has the full piston pump and valving with variable flow control (smoother Operation vs Gear pumps)

If you have the $ and want the better machine go with the Huayee SHY20 $19K or the 27 around $24K I think - yes they are nearly 2x the cost of the Typhoon XIX Storm or the Tyrant 17

 

[Jrasband]

How many acres are you working with? How many projects do you have in mind?

I would consider jumping up to the Huayee 20, you won't regret it for a more capable, refined, commercial machine. Less chance of anything braking, meaning it will save you money in the long run. I do not regret spending extra money on the ZX22 one bit it is a very impressive machine.

I imagine that 18 doesn't have 2 speed and that alone is worth the extra money for the Huayee 20.

 

[Carl_NH]

How many acres are you working with? How many projects do you have in mind?

I would consider jumping up to the Huayee 20, you won't regret it for a more capable, refined, commercial machine. Less chance of anything braking, meaning it will save you money in the long run. I do not regret spending extra money on the ZX22 one bit it is a very impressive machine.

I imagine that 18 doesn't have 2 speed and that alone is worth the extra money for the Huayee 20.

Jrs- agree I spent $13k overall 11$k for my terror xviii then add ons buckets augers etc- if the shy20 was around then would have been my choice too - 6$k is soon forgotten once you’re running a more commercial machine with proper variable piston pumps etc

 

[nogaltractorguy]

How many acres are you working with? How many projects do you have in mind?

I would consider jumping up to the Huayee 20, you won't regret it for a more capable, refined, commercial machine. Less chance of anything braking, meaning it will save you money in the long run. I do not regret spending extra money on the ZX22 one bit it is a very impressive machine.

I imagine that 18 doesn't have 2 speed and that alone is worth the extra money for the Huayee 20.

The Tyrant 17 looks very close to the Huayee the 18B gets very good ratings too and you can get them from CA or NJ warehouse, or on ebay too. The Tyrant has all the attachments which is about $2K at list but Typhoon will negotiate a deal for these (around $200 each for the buckets and $400 for the auger)

The other machine you should take a look at is the Typhon XIX Storm - has bigger pump, enclosed drive motors with separate rotary pump, expanding tracks, cushion valves on swing/slew motor. So a lot of nice "additions" over the other machines. TYPHON TERROR XIX Mini Excavator 4000lbs Kubota D902 EPA Superior Hydraulics New | eBay

I would say the XIX Storm is closer to the Huayee Pro series SHY20, but not quite, as the SHY20 has the full piston pump and valving with variable flow control (smoother Operation vs Gear pumps)

If you have the $ and want the better machine go with the Huayee SHY20 $19K or the 27 around $24K I think - yes they are nearly 2x the cost of the Typhoon XIX Storm or the Tyrant 17

The XIX looks good too. I would prefer to have a bigger machine but we just bought a bigger camper and need a big carport. The idea is to build a big carport with a garage on the side and an additional lean to for the flat bed trailer. Not sure I can swing a bigger machine. We own 18 acres.

 

[alexbennet]

That's smart to wait for the new tax year. Buying a new mini excavator is a big move and the Typhon Tyrant 17 looks like a very good option right now.

You are correct that the Tyrant 17 has a stronger engine than the Huayee 18b models often carry. But the Huayee is a good budget machine, but the Tyrant 17 seems to be designed to compete with the bigger brands by including the better Kubota engine and superior hydraulic controls. If you’re looking for a workhorse that comes with a full attachment package, the Tyrant 17 is a solid choice.

You should definitely check out the different Digging Buckets available on the Rhinoceros Diggers to make sure you have the right tooth patterns and sizes for the kind of dirt and rock you'll be moving.

This video shows the new Typhon Tyrant 17 in action, which is helpful when comparing it to other models like the Huayee: Watch the TYPHON TYRANT 17 in Action.

 

[Carl_NH]

I understand jumping to $20K from $12 for the Tyrant 17 is a big one, but the Tyrant to the XIX is less than $2K with a lot more features you can't add to a machine - 2 speed drives, enclosed drive motors, much better hydraulics, which are things I wish I had now.

Especially moving to the work area on 18 ac - yes you can trailer it, but load/unload is time too, then the better hydraulics make for smoother operation.

 

[dfkrug]

...the XIX is less than $2K with a lot more features you can't add to a machine - 2 speed drives, enclosed drive motors, much better hydraulics, which are things I wish I had now.

Yes, I see the newest iteration of the XIX (late 2025) has proper final drives and the maker says they have cushion valves for all the hydraulic motors. And you can get this unit for not much over $10K in the US. Nice.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

I understand jumping to $20K from $12 for the Tyrant 17 is a big one, but the Tyrant to the XIX is less than $2K with a lot more features you can't add to a machine - 2 speed drives, enclosed drive motors, much better hydraulics, which are things I wish I had now.

Especially moving to the work area on 18 ac - yes you can trailer it, but load/unload is time too, then the better hydraulics make for smoother operation.

Great points. Going to take a better look at the XIX. A slow machine would take a very long time to get from one point to another in my property.

 

[Carl_NH]

Buy once, cry once, and many other sayings like this say get what you want the first time and enjoy it. I bought the Ferris zero turn 15 years ago, yes it was $$ but its still running great and I still enjoy cutting the grass every year.

The mini for me was a want more than a need, as I have a BH now, but it's a great helper to the BH and FEL, and in early 2024 was a good machine, but as the market matures, the machines get better too.

 

[nogaltractorguy]

Yes, I see the newest iteration of the XIX (late 2025) has proper final drives and the maker says they have cushion valves for all the hydraulic motors. And you can get this unit for not much over $10K in the US. Nice.

I just went into the Typhon website and couldn’t find anything on their hydraulics like you mention. Do you have a link? Thanks.