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.

 

[Carl_NH]

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.

Congrats on the new machine - did you negotiate any attachments and what was your final deal? All these attachments can be purchased later at a decent price.

 

[TexTrctr]

Thanks Carl, it was your suggestions that pushed me over the edge!
$9866. No attachments.
This brings up a question; there is a site on EBay, sdhxdz, which has really attractive pricing on the typical attachments, but it looks too good to be true. Example: Auger Assy for 1.5-2T Auger
$478.88.
Anyone dealt with these guys?
Are they legitimate?

 

[Carl_NH]

You got a good deal! I see sellers from China offering the XVIII on eBay for $5K, but that does not include the duty and brokerage fees and delivery to your door, just the shipping to a port—it's not worth the hassle and unknowns to save a few $, IMO.

There are many sellers of these attachments - be patient and buy what you need/want. The prices are all over the place and have dropped fast since last year, Paid $700 for a 600MM Hyd tilting bucket in July, and realized I wanted an 800MM - got one for $330 on Temu - trying to sell the 600MM now for $300 no takers. Temu has deals and Ebay does too - like the post hole Auger with 8" bit I got on Ebay for $320 delivered.

Ort if you have a Ritchie Bros or other auction house close to you, the pallets of attachments (8 pcs usually) sell for $9-1000 range plus fees so for under $1200 you get a set.

 

[TexTrctr]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm leaning towards buying attachments one at a time. I'd like to get the auger, a trenching bucket and a tilt bucket. The other stuff would probably just lay around, taking up space. Not sure about the quick disconnect. Did you get one of those? If so, how do you like it?

 

[TexTrctr]

BTW, the price I paid was plus tax. I still feel pretty good about it.
Also, that is a great price on the auger! They really are all over the map.

 

[Carl_NH]

I got the 8" Trenching bucket for $179 delivered, and its perfect for picking rocks and narrow trenching as I have 16" on the Kubota. Then the Quick attach works well - it does add about 2" to the length so check your thumb length first. The other option is 1" pins with handles on the ends you can get at TSC - or they sell the 25MM pins with grease zerks too. I have my buckets and stuff on dollys to roll around - have plans to make a covered outdoor rack this summer to store all my attachments for the mini and Kubota.

I have the threaded bolt version QA everyone is selling - , but there is another one with a spring and pin latching setup that would be better IMO.

Another thing is the Hyd Connection - I bought 4 -15MM QD connects for the Tilting Bucket and Auger, Worked great for the tilting bucket (even needed to reduce the flow via the valve to operate more smoothly) . But when I installed the Auger, it would barely turn and would not reverse - the QD restricts the flow too much - so I have gone back to using the direct connect for the attachments.

 

[dfkrug]

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.

Please cite a source for that.

Makers of hydraulic components (valves, motors, etc) use the ISO Cleanliness Code 4406. A quick check of an Eaton catalog uses a contaminant level limit of 20/18/13. Filtration to achieve that cleanliness is specced by filter suppliers at 10u.

Furthermore, good hydraulic system design calls for fluid filtration to happen primarily in the return line to avoid pump cavitation.

 

[Carl_NH]

Hi DF - here is a link to one article about suction line filtration and not to size below 78U to prevent cavitation. A Checklist for Sizing Hydraulic Filters

It was 6 months ago so this may or may not have been the article. I do agree adding a return line filter to prevent cavitation to filter the finer particles before they re-enter the tank.

 

[dfkrug]

Hi DF - here is a link to one article about suction line filtration and not to size below 78U to prevent cavitation. A Checklist for Sizing Hydraulic Filters

It was 6 months ago so this may or may not have been the article. I do agree adding a return line filter to prevent cavitation to filter the finer particles before they re-enter the tank.

I checked out that link, and it says 149-micron is finest filter on suction side for a high-pressure gear pump, which is what applies here.

They also say, for a high-pressure piston pump, minimum suction filter size is 74u.

My mini came with a large suction in-tank mesh filter, which looked like about 100u or so. That estimate is based on suction filters I have worked with on other machines. I like to have some sort of suction filter, tho some experts say having none is safer.

If you get water in the oil, plugging even a 100u suction filter is likely.

 

[TexTrctr]

Carl,how long did it take to get your unit and how was it delivered?
Any problem unloading?