Chinese digger recommendations

[Carl_NH]

....and you don't need the fancy switching valve that comes on the Branded minis. Best to stay consistent with the pattern on all the machines you own.

Agreed - I loaded and moved 5 kubota bucket loads of 20-24” rocks today with the mini ex and it worked great!

Finally can use the mini to be the helper to the tlb.

 

[dfkrug]

Agreed - I loaded and moved 5 kubota bucket loads of 20-24” rocks today with the mini ex and it worked great!

Finally can use the mini to be the helper to the tlb.

I probably shoulda got the mini-X YEARS ago, and I have had it 6y. What's your excuse, Carl?

 

[Carl_NH]

Space in the barn - then the b21 does almost everything I need - the mini ex was a “want” not a need.

I almost and should have bought a 2009 cat 303.5 in December 2022 with 2500 hrs for $27k from a guy that bought it new and took care of it- I didn’t buy it as I thought it was more than I needed and regret it ever since!

So I was looking for something since then and the China mini ex market has evolved now where these small minis are very capable and for my $12k total investment with buckets and mods a good choice for me.

 

[Carl_NH]

The 180x72x41 tracks on these tend to tear up the lawn even when trying the lift and move method. Granted I am not proficient yet in driving this either, but I wanted a wider track (230 MM) and something better on the lawn.

I found these on ebay and ordered two NEW 230x72x41 Track Diamond Back Tread Fits Yanmar B158, CO6R, KH41, KH41R | eBay for $435 including shipping. They are made by Prowler Prowler Rubber Tracks for Skid Steers, Excavators, Track Loaders

Thought this might be of interest to others with the same/similar machine, They have other sizes too for sale on ebay,

 

[Carl_NH]

Got the new tracks installed - much smoother ride and doesn’t leave divots on the lawn either

That’s a friend of mine testing it out he wants one now - but a bigger one

Modified the thumb /tilt bucket aluminum foot pedal - drilled and tapped a 5/16 bolt and nut thru the swivel portion so it’s at an angle now so it’s a more natural foot and ankle movement now to close the thumb and enables more precise control

 

[Carl_NH]

One other note in the tracks - there’s a spring 3/8” thick x 2” around in the adjustment mechanism that holds the tension on the tracks - so unless you’re doing something aggressive or get rocks in the drive sprocket they won’t come off - also checked the pulleys and bearings all tight - no grease fittings on the rollers so are sealed units

 

[dfkrug]

Got the new tracks installed - much smoother ride and doesn’t leave divots on the lawn either

Looks good. I definitely need the deeper lugs with my slopes here, but I can see how yours could help your situation.

 

[Carl_NH]

Has anyone added a Tiny Tach Diesel Tiny-Tach | Design Technology, Inc., Home of Tiny-Tach to their machines?

If so do you have any report or feedback on the performance of these units?

Thanks

 

[LittleBill21]

Got the new tracks installed - much smoother ride and doesn’t leave divots on the lawn either

That’s a friend of mine testing it out he wants one now - but a bigger one

Modified the thumb /tilt bucket aluminum foot pedal - drilled and tapped a 5/16 bolt and nut thru the swivel portion so it’s at an angle now so it’s a more natural foot and ankle movement now to close the thumb and enables more precise control View attachment 879039View attachment 879035View attachment 879036View attachment 879037View attachment 879038

may have missed it, why did you change tracks? how many hours on it now?

 

[Carl_NH]

may have missed it, why did you change tracks? how many hours on it now?

See post 104 the 7” lug tracks imprint the lawn and rip it up - the diamond tracks are 9” so 30% more ground contact and are made for traversing lawns and dirt and are a smoother ride

8 hours total - just getting started using it - once mods were done

I have a backhoe on my b21 too so this is more of a specialty machine to load rocks and build walls and assist the kubota

 

[LittleBill21]

See post 104 the 7” lug tracks imprint the lawn and rip it up - the diamond tracks are 9” so 30% more ground contact and are made for traversing lawns and dirt and are a smoother ride

8 hours total - just getting started using it - once mods were done

I have a backhoe on my b21 too so this is more of a specialty machine to load rocks and build walls and assist the kubota

ok ty, I have a backhoe too. So i am looking for the same reason.

 

[LittleBill21]

@Carl_NH if you get a second, can you measure the distance from the bucket to the swing pin, with the entire backhoe as far-out as possible, and take a picture, trying to determine how much more reach this has over my backhoe.

 

[Carl_NH]

I measured the reach - its 110" and digging force with the bucket is 3400 Lbs vs 2000 on your Max - you can see the specs below. There are other things to consider too - the 360 rotation and digging is much easier then the bucket options you can add for little $ like screening and tilting bucket etc.

The specs for your 26XL
Mahindra Max 26B Backhoe
Weight 710 lbs
Transport height 71 inches
Digging depth 80 inches
2-Foot flat digging depth 78.5 inches
Reach from pivot 102 inches
Loading height 62 inches
Swing Arc 150°
Bucket force 2000 lbs
Dipperstick force 2270 lbs

 

[LittleBill21]

I measured the reach - its 110" and digging force with the bucket is 3400 Lbs vs 2000 on your Max - you can see the specs below. There are other things to consider too - the 360 rotation and digging is much easier then the bucket options you can add for little $ like screening and tilting bucket etc.

The specs for your 26XL
Mahindra Max 26B Backhoe
Weight 710 lbs
Transport height 71 inches
Digging depth 80 inches
2-Foot flat digging depth 78.5 inches
Reach from pivot 102 inches
Loading height 62 inches
Swing Arc 150°
Bucket force 2000 lbs
Dipperstick force 2270 lbs

So i am only gaining 8 inches? hmm, I get the rotation and stuff, i needed the reach more, my tractor is setup to be driven from the backhoe seat, which obviously is worse then a excavator, but I only have a couple projects that will more or less be one and done..

Really appreciate you taking the time to measure.

 

[Carl_NH]

Yes - as I said it's more a want than a need for me - at 12K though its nice to have - also think about the reach as being 9' in all directions around the machine. Then the breakout is nearly double your machine..

 

[LittleBill21]

Yes - as I said it's more a want than a need for me - at 12K though its nice to have - also think about the reach as being 9' in all directions around the machine. Then the breakout is nearly double your machine..

yea i am considering it heavily, the garage height is one issue for me, if i didn't already have the backhoe prolly would have already bought it, but it does a good enough job, but I am watching heavily right now

 

[Carl_NH]

If you are still on the fence about this - here is the unit I would buy vs the Hightop - its made by Vote - and has a better fit and finish with the Kubota 902 diesel and 230MM tracks already, And the price is good $11,200 FREE SHIPPING NEW 1.8 Ton New Mini Excavator, KUBOTA D902 Diesel Engine 16 hp | eBay

 

[LittleBill21]

If you are still on the fence about this - here is the unit I would buy vs the Hightop - its made by Vote - and has a better fit and finish with the Kubota 902 diesel and 230MM tracks already, And the price is good $11,200 FREE SHIPPING NEW 1.8 Ton New Mini Excavator, KUBOTA D902 Diesel Engine 16 hp | eBay

yea i looked it over when you first posted, I just bought a stump grinder and may need a new truck. I need to push pause till i see what the deal with the truck is.

really appreciate all the info though

 

[TexTrctr]

Mej13579 and Carl_NH​

It's an older thread, I realize, but I'm new to the forum and looking to buy a Typhon XIX (2024 2 Ton New Mini Excavator). Now, 6 months or so later, how to do like your Typhon units? Any issues worth mentioning?

 

[Carl_NH]

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=http...UGw4-YlWQ55NojvJLwf4haz3l6PxGfhoce8VDU_WqxDkw